DeKALB – The Division of Student Affairs hosted Family Weekend from Sept. 20-22. Among the events available to students and their families were an 80s themed escape room at Founders Memorial Library on Saturday, Casino Night at Duke Ellington Ballroom in the Holmes Student Center on Saturday and Fall Fest at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, from Saturday to Sunday.
ESCAPE THE ‘80S ESCAPE ROOM
The “Escape the ‘80s” themed escape room was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and was planned due to the trend of academic libraries across the country hosting escape rooms to engage the community and get them to enjoy the libraries. The ‘80s theme was chosen specifically for Family Weekend, as parents may remember that time.
Kimberly Shotick, the student success librarian, said the escape room was a popular event, with many people waiting for a free spot to become available.
“One thing that I think we need to figure out is registration. We have a long waitlist of people who wanted to participate, but logistically, with escape rooms, they’re timed events where it can only have certain amounts of people,” Shotick said.
CASINO NIGHT
Casino Night was held Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with casino games including craps, roulette and blackjack, along with games for younger participants such as UNO, Cornhole and Connect Four. The event had free desserts and the chips won from a casino game were entered in a raffle of the winner’s choice, with prizes including NIU apparel.
Danielle Cooper, a junior biology major, said she enjoyed the event.
“I was drawn to the event to be a part of the community,” Cooper said. She said she would attend again, but would like to see live music next time.
Mateo Diaz, a junior early childhood education major, said he would attend the event again.
“I would attend this again, but maybe dress up a little more,” Diaz said.
FALL FEST AT BLUMEN GARDENS
Fall Fest was hosted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Blumen Gardens, located at 403 Edward Street in Sycamore. The event had food trucks, an artist market and petting zoo with a variety of barnyard animals. The event was both outdoors, in the botanical garden, and indoors, in the Blumen Gardens marketplace.
Georgie Fortuna, a sophomore visual communications major, said she enjoyed the event.
“I’ve always liked flea markets and thrift shops, so this event seemed really on par with what I normally like to attend,” Fortuna said. “It was super cute and put together nicely. My favorite part was the petting zoo. I love all the little animals!”
For more information about current and upcoming campus activities, visit NIU’s events calendar.
