Soleil Barros
Journal Staff

Suffolk students, staff and faculty members welcomed guests to celebrate the 16th annual Family Weekend. The three-day celebration included on and off-campus activities such as a walking tour of Boston, a silent auction, and showings of Suffolk’s Fall Fest Top ‘10.

“My mom is coming up and we are going to have lunch and spend some time together for family weekend,” said freshman Taylor Barlow.

Students, accompanied by their families and friends, looked forward to the weekend’s events.

“I am looking forward to seeing the Blue Man Group with my dad,” said freshman Annie Sollish.

The sold out dinner and  show performance by the Blue Man Group, held at the Hard Rock Café, was one of the more popular events.

“I have never been to a Blue Man group show, so I’m looking forward to that and my boyfriend is coming with me, so it still counts as family,” said freshman Chaelyn Saunders.

Fall Fest Top ‘10, hosted in the C. Walsh Theatre, had a string of musical performances promoting Suffolk Spirit. The Alternative Break Silent Auction provided families with the opportunity to bid on items such as Bruins tickets, Suffolk University apparel, and gift certificates to Moo Restaurant, Starbucks, and G.C. Beacon Hill Hotel. Alternative Spring Break raised over $1,000 to contribute to the Alternative Break (winter and spring) Programs.

“My mother had good time bidding on 75 percent of the items at the silent auction. Note, of the items she bid on, she took home about 70 percent of that. She was a bit ridiculous,” said Michael DeMarco, a junior at Suffolk.

“The money from the auction goes towards the Alternative Spring Break program, which I plan to attend this coming March, so it was worth the time we spent there. I got a few cool things out of the deal: Bruins tickets, tickets to an improv group in the North End, and a few pretty sweet restaurant gift certificates.”

Aside from shows and auctions, there was also a Lady Rams women’s volleyball game, Boston Duck Tour, and the Boston Area Walking Tour.

“I enjoyed the walking tour. The old State House was my favorite,” said freshman Katrina Wilson.

The Boston Area Walking Tour led families through historic cobblestone streets and gave an insight on what our surrounding community of Boston has to offer.

“I enjoyed the Omni Parker House and all of the ghost stories that were shared with us during the tour,” added Wilson’s mother, Jeanne.

Families could also attend information sessions about the study abroad program and residence life information.

Taste of Boston, a main event, was held in the Donahue Café on Saturday. Families went on a small taste tour of different well-known Boston foods, including clam chowder, Boston baked beans, hot dogs, and mini lobster rolls were served.

The weekend concluded with a breakfast in the 150 Tremont residence hall where guests were able to join students for breakfast before departing.

“I’m waiting for my family to leave,” joked freshman Scott Aiello.

“I loved the walking tour, my favorite was the granary burial ground,” says Aiello’s mother, Louise.

The Webster family enjoyed taking advantage of the weekend. “My parents came to my cross country meet at the Franklin Park Zoo,” said sophomore Christina Webster.

“This being my first family weekend at Suffolk, I’d have to say that all in all it was a pretty cool experience,” said DeMarco. “We all had a real good time, and it was sort of nice being able to go with the whole family, spend the weekend in Boston, and show ‘em the day to day. I think they were all digging it too.”