Alumni and Family Weekend events return to downtown Bradford

Alumni and Family Weekend will return to downtown Bradford Pumpkin Fest.

The weekend is set aside for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater and families to spend quality time with their college students. This year's weekend will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

The most visible event for area residents will be the annual block party, which will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday on Main Street in Bradford in conjunction with the Bradford Pumpkin Fest.

The event features pumpkin-themed children's games, food booths, hayrides and vendors. Students from several Pitt-Bradford clubs will provide activities, fundraisers and games in Veterans Square. An Area Transportation Authority van will serve as a shuttle between campus and downtown, or walk a mile along the Community Parks Trail.

Also during the day on Saturday, the popular Friends of Hanley Library book sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lobby of the library.

On Saturday evening, alumni will attend decade gatherings at Kabob's at The Option House, Afterwards at Beefeaters, and Rookies Sports Bar, while John Williams European pastry Shop will serve desserts to Pitt-Bradford students and their families after a night of dining in local restaurants.

At 9 p.m. Saturday, everyone can enjoy fireworks in downtown Bradford.

Other events that the public is welcome to attend are the Executive Speaker Series and Networking Luncheon with Bog Patterson '98, vice president of student success for Chegg, a company specializing in online textbook rental, homework help, online tutoring, scholarships and internships. The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

Before working at Chegg, Patterson worked in admissions at several institutions, including Pitt-Bradford, University of Pittsburgh, University of North Carolina, University of California Berkley and Stanford University, where he served as associate dean and director of admissions.

Cost of the luncheon is $10 per person, and reservations are required.

Saturday will also feature athletic events, including an alumni basketball game at 10 a.m. in the KOA Arena of the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center; an alumni swim meet at 11 a.m. in the Paul C. Duke III Aquatic Center in the sport and fitness center; an alumni softball game at 11 a.m. at the Kessel Athletic Complex and 1 p.m. alumni baseball game at the Kessel Athletics Complex.

An athletics tailgate party will take place at the athletic complex from noon to 4 p.m., where the university's men's soccer team will play the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Bobcats beginning at 3 p.m. A women's volleyball triple-header begins at 3 p.m. in the KOA Arena.

A nondenominational worship service will take place at 5 p.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel.

For more information or to register for events, visit www.upb.pitt.edu/afw.