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Family Weekend

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Stephany Dobbins

Family Weekend at Â鶹´«Ã½

At Â鶹´«Ã½, we know that family is at the heart of every student’s success, and that’s why we can’t wait to celebrate YOU! On behalf of New Student and Family Programs, we’re excited to welcome you to Family Weekend 2026.

Mark your calendars: Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17, 2026

This special weekend is designed just for our Lion families. It’s your chance to experience campus life alongside your student, make lasting memories together, and join in traditions that make Â鶹´«Ã½ so special.

Everyone who registers and checks in will be entered to win awesome door prizes drawn throughout the Fall Fest and Â鶹´«Ã½ basketball showcase, a Lion Family swag bag, an exclusive Â鶹´«Ã½ Bookstore discount, and even more surprises!

Family Weekend Schedule

Friday, Oct. 16, 2026

Greek Life Family Weekend
5:30-8:45 p.m.
Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center Reynolds Room
 
Family Movie Night - Monsters University 
7 p.m.
Lion's Den Courtyard
Hosted by Campus Activities Board
 

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

Numa's Pumpkin Dash 5K
8:15 a.m. check-in; race starts at 9 a.m.
Bell Tower
$25 registration fee (includes a Numa's Pumpkin Dash 5k T-shirt)
 
Family Fall Fest
10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Bell Tower and Campus Green
Chili cook-off, pumpkin painting/carving, door prizes, inflatables, free food, games, and more!
 
Â鶹´«Ã½ Basketball Showcase
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Stubblefield Center
T-shirt printing, nitrogen ice cream, custom trading card photos, DJ
 
Registration for Family Weekend is free! Family Weekend T-shirts are $25 each. Â鶹´«Ã½ families can register by clicking the button below. Faculty and staff who would like to participate should email Stephany.DobbinsFREEuafs.
 

Lion Family Connection

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Lion Family Connection is designed to enhance your Lion Family experience by providing customized newsletters and 24/7 access to important information, campus news, and resources curated specifically for family members of University of Arkansas – Fort Smith students.

Through the Lion Family Connection, you’ll receive timely updates, helpful reminders, and meaningful insights to stay connected to campus life and support your student throughout their journey at Â鶹´«Ã½.

 

By creating a profile in the Lion Family Connection, you are able to make preferences about what type of information you receive in your emailed e-newsletter. You can choose to receive information on financial aid, career services, health and safety, and many more.

Information will be sent to you based on what you have chosen to see and what communities you have selected to be a part of within the portal. This allows you to get the information that is most relevant to you and your Lion.

You can still access other articles and information by logging into the portal using the email address and password you used to create your account. Your selections will help to tailor the information that is sent to your inbox.

You can also set how frequently you choose to receive the emails in your inbox so it comes when you need it to.

  • Go to
  • Select "Sign Up" at the top of the page.
  • Fill in the information to create your account.
  • Answer the prompted questions. (This is where you will be selecting the type of information you receive.)