Alumni and Family Weekend is headed downtown

Pitt-Bradford is bringing Alumni and Family Weekend Oct. 2-4 to downtown Bradford.

The annual block party featuring student-run booths and games will take place at Veterans Square on Main Street from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday during downtown Bradford's annual Pumpkin Fest celebration.

Area restaurants will welcome decade gatherings for alumni, while John Williams' European Pastry Shop will serve desserts to Pitt-Bradford students and their families after a night of dining in local restaurants.

Saturday, Oct. 3, will start with the Marilla Trail Race at Marilla Reservoir, where alumni, students and family members can register at reduced-price registration fees, and end with a 15-to-20 minute fireworks display at 9 p.m. downtown that everyone can enjoy.

“This collaboration supports the university's goal to build a town-gown relationship and will also enhance the Alumni and Family Weekend experience for students, alumni and families,” said Lindsay Hilton Retchless, director of alumni relations, who coordinates the events along with Christina Graham, director of student activities.

Other events that the public is welcome to attend are the Executive Speaker Series and Networking Luncheon with Dr. Siobhan France '08 at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

France is a doctor of physical therapy and wellness coach and the author of “How to Live a Life of Fitness: The Ultimate Start-up Guide for Older Adults.” Advance reservations are required. Cost is $10.

That night, donors, alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and art lovers can all mingle at the Arts Gala featuring the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in Blaisdell Hall. The formal fundraising gala begins at 6 p.m. with dinner in the Mukaiyama University Room followed by a ballet performance, dessert and dancing. Tickets are $125.

Those who do not wish to attend the gala, however, can still see the ballet at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 each for the general public, $16 each for alumni, and $5 for all students.

The popular Friends of Hanley Library Book Sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Hanley Library on campus.

Noon will feature an alumni softball game at the Kessel Athletic Complex and a men's alumni basketball game and shooting contest.

The alumni baseball game begins at 1 p.m., and all are welcome to come meet Pitt-Bradford's new head women's basketball coach, Sean Brown Sr., from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Dr. Richard and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center.

The ATA trolley will be available to take participants between Saturday's on-campus activities and the block party and Pumpkin Fest downtown.

A nondenominational worship series will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel.

The Bradford Family YMCA will hold a Kids Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Cost for children age four and up is $10 each. Students from the Pitt-Bradford Education Club will be volunteering.

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

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