Family Weekend 2025 full of fun
A weekend of fun, a magic show, movies, bingo games and the Spazmatics is on the horizon for students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) with Family Weekend on Sept. 19 and 20.
Every student is welcome to invite their families for a Friday and Saturday filled with activities including the fourth annual Tamalada Festival.
After the Tamalada festival, Javelinas can cap it all off when the Javelina football team takes on University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB) on Saturday night.
“The goal of Family Weekend is really to host events on campus that bring everybody together and showcase what the university has to offer. And, to give people a weekend of things to do with their loved ones. So that way it really promotes the Javelina family spirit,” Senior Coordinator of Student Engagement and Campus Life (SECL) Katelyn Garza said.
Registration for Family Weekend is already open, and non-students are required to purchase tickets for $16.
Tickets include access to most events on campus during Family Weekend, including the football game and all students have to do is present their student issued IDs.
One of SECL’s first events of the weekend is their Javelina cookout, which is open to the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
However, attendees must be registered with SECL to receive a food voucher to enjoy the cookout.
A cookout isn’t the only way Javelinas can enjoy themselves on Friday, there is free bowling from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the bowling alley and a movie at 8:30 p.m. on the Jernigan Library lawn.
Saturday is the big hitter for Family Weekend which is kicked off with breakfast with President Robert Vela which leads into the Tamalada Festival.
The Tamalada Festival includes live musical performances by Lazaro Perez, Javelina Jaht Eight and Daniel Jacob.
There will also be cooking demonstrations, tamale talks which include free tamale tastings, food trucks and lotería.
“Our hope is that festival volunteers and attendees leave with a sense of pride for the traditions and values that we, as Javelinas and South Texans, carry with us,” Conner Museum Director of Administration and Operation Kathy Pawelek said.
After the Tamalada Festival families are encouraged to head over to Javelina Stadium and join in on the fun of the tailgate and barbecue which will also be hosting The Spazmatics.
“I want families to feel like they are welcomed and excited that their student goes here. Also, I want students to also feel like they’re a part of this university, as well as a part of the Javelina family. I just hope that they want to come back next year and continue to come back and have it be a tradition that they look forward to,” Garza said.
Families can also get a look at the Javelina football team during the tailgate that features new Head Coach Scott Parr and quarterback transfer Jack Turner.
“Family Weekend is a big event at TAMUK and one that holds a lot of meaning for our campus community. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the university, not just to our current students and their families, but also to our alumni who return to support our athletic programs. We take pride in the traditions we’ve built at TAMUK, and what truly makes our university special is the people, students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans who are part of it. Having Family Weekend culminate with one of our athletic events is a big moment for our department. It highlights the role athletics plays in bringing people together and celebrating the spirit of Javelina Nation. It’s an honor to be part of something that connects so many people and reinforces the pride we all share in TAMUK,” Athletic Director Micheal Salinas said.
Remember Family Weekend is meant to bring all Javelinas – former and present – together for an event packed weekend where they can celebrate Javelina Nation.
For more information visit https://www.tamuk.edu/secl/javelinaparents/family-weekend.html