Bounce houses, bubbles and barnyard animals took over the UCA Bears’ practice football field Saturday afternoon.
The offerings were a part of the Fun Fair celebration of UCA’s annual Family Weekend, a weekend where families and friends come to Conway and spend time with their favorite students while supporting the Bears football team.
At the fair, lines of families wrapped around the practice football field and to Estes Stadium to check in to the event. Once checked in, families who signed a liability waiver were given a red wristband to participate in the activities and meal tickets that could be used at the Christian Cafeteria. Attendees were also given Fun Fair shirts to commemorate the event.
Colorful bounce houses covered the field to give the littlest members of the family something fun to do. For older patrons, there were lawn games like ladder toss and cornhole. Local bubble artist Big Poppa Bubble entertained the crowd with a massive bubble wand.
Sophomores Lyndsey and Allie Snow came to the event with their parents and little brother.
Lyndsey, an exercise science major, said she enjoyed Family Day because “I get to give my family a look into my everyday life and show them what campus living is like.”
Allie, a communication sciences and disorders major, said she thought that UCA should have more events like Family Day.
“It is such a good way to get out and meet new people,” Allie said.
Both twins agreed they were most excited for the football game at the end of the day, where the UCA Bears beat the Lamar Cardinals 34-14.
On the other side of the practice field, a petting zoo with pigs, ducks, chickens, llamas, sheep, goats and a baby kangaroo drew crowds, both young and old.
Julie Snyder, a sophomore environmental science major, said the petting zoo was her favorite thing at the fair.
“I really like the sheep, I don’t know why but they’re one of my favorites,” Snyder said.
A boy pets a spotted pig at the petting zoo. UCA brought chickens, ducks, llamas, and other animals to the petting zoo.
Snyder attended the event with her mom and friends from church and said the petting zoo was a major reason why they came to the event.
“The petting zoo was definitely something we were more excited for, it was something that definitely drew us here,” Snyder said.
Snyder said she liked that UCA had a day to prioritize families because it brings everyone together.
“It just makes it feel homey,” she said. “It makes everybody feel more included, so it’s a really good thing to have.”
Synder’s friend Abigail Morgan, a sophomore accounting major, echoed Snyder’s sentiment about how Family Day brings a sense of home to campus.
“It brings everyone’s family together and then you just have bonding time with everyone and you see all the people on campus, and it makes it feel like so much more home here,” Morgan said.
Sydney Vineyard, a freshman interior design major, came to the event with her mom, her sister and her little cousin, Paris. Vineyard said her favorite part of the day was watching Paris enjoy himself and watching younger participants have a good time.
“My favorite part is seeing him have so much fun and letting the youth enjoy the things the day has to offer,” Vineyard said.
Vineyard said as an out-of-state student from Texas, she would like to see more UCA events that prioritize family.
“I feel like it’s a great opportunity for people to learn about the school, other than just the academic aspect,” Vineyard said. “I think it’s really engaging and I would like to do multiple throughout the year especially because I’m an out of state student.”
UCA Family Weekend was held Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28.