Join us September 13-15, 2024 for Cyclone Family Weekend!
Cyclone Family Weekend
Register for Cyclone Family Weekend
Why attend Cyclone Family Weekend?
Cyclone Family Weekend is the first time many families will see their student after the start of the Fall semester. By now, your student will have settled into their routine on campus and may have gained more knowledge about the campus culture and offerings. What better way to learn about their experience than to join them in Ames for a weekend full of activities? Cyclone Family Weekend will allow you to strengthen your connection with ISU while spending valuable time with your student at their new home away from home.
Events and Activities
The Cyclone Family Weekend lineup features a variety of events and activities that immerse families in the Iowa State experience and strengthen their connection to campus. Some activities require tickets.
The primary schedule of events includes official Cyclone Family Weekend activities. Information about activities in and around Ames also is provided.
Registration Opens July 1!
General registration is free for Iowa State families and students. Wristbands can be purchased for featured events and meal tickets can be purchased for Saturday's lunch and Sunday's brunch. Dates and details about registration and Cyclone Family Weekend events are announced here and in the ISU Cyclone Family Connection portal.
The purpose of Cyclone Family Weekend is for parents and families to engage and spend time with their student while learning about their experiences at Iowa State. The Parent and Family Programs staff also want to increase awareness of campus activities and programs available to students.
Dates for Cyclone Family Weekend are announced during the spring semester.
2024 Cyclone Family Weekend
September 13-15
Many events during Cyclone Family Weekend are free for ISU students and families. Wristbands may be purchased to access a variety of featured events, including the Friday Welcome Reception, a Cyclone Family Social at the Sukup End Zone Club, and a Student Innovation Center Showcase. Meal tickets may also be purchased for the Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch.
Registration for Cyclone Family Weekend opens July 1, 2024 at 1pm CT. A registration link will appear near the top of this webpage.
After you have gone through all registration pages and have selected all items you wish to purchase, you will complete your registration with a credit card payment. Be sure you have not double-booked yourself for ticketed or paid events before you complete registration, and make sure you have requested tickets and wristbands for your full party, including your student. You may not log back in later to change your registration - you will need to contact registrations@iastate.edu if you wish to make any changes.
A registration confirmation will be sent to the email address used to register. If you do not receive this confirmation, then your registration may not be complete. Please email registrations@iastate.edu with any questions regarding your registration confirmation.
The deadline to cancel your registration and receive refunds for purchased meal tickets is August 29, 2024. Wristband purchases are non-refundable.
Yes. When registering for Cyclone Family Weekend, include your student in the total number of registrants. If you purchase meal tickets or a wristband or reserve tickets for tours, include your student in the count as well.
Please utilize the Cyclone Family Weekend parking map, which shows parking lots that are free for guests to use beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. See the below sign as an example:
Any event with specific parking instructions will be listed in the event description on the Schedule of Events.
The schedule of events will be released soon. The schedule includes dates, times, and descriptions for all events. There are plenty of non-ticketed events and activities families can enjoy if ticketed events are sold out. Be sure to purchase your wristbands if you would like to participate in the featured events.
Yes. A valid Department of Transportation parking permit/placard for persons with disabilities is required. Locate accessible doors, restrooms, parking, elevators, and automatic doors using this accessibility layer on the ISU campus map.
Please note that we cannot provide wheelchair rentals or golf cart transportation. If your family needs accommodations, we encourage you to seek out a local medical supply company.
Questions?
- Contact Parent and Family Programs, parents@iastate.edu
Feedback we received made it clear that hosting Cyclone Family Weekend when there is a home football game led to many difficulties, including:
- lack of parking availability
- prohibitively expensive hotel costs
- less time for families to learn about other fantastic opportunities on campus
Come back for a game
Parent and Family Programs partners with ISU Athletics to offer families discounted tickets for select football games. Information is announced in the ISU Cyclone Family Connection portal and on this website.
Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch are offered during Cyclone Family Weekend. The menus for those meals include gluten-free and vegetarian options. Additionally, all Iowa State dining halls are equipped to handle any dietary requirements you may have. You're also welcome to explore off-campus restaurants. Many Ames eateries offer gluten-free options.
The Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau's "Discover Ames" initiative provides a complete guide for visitors, with information about lodging, events, dining, shopping, and more.
You can cancel your registration and receive a refund for purchased meal tickets through August 29, 2024. Wristband purchases are non-refundable.
Even if you have not purchased meal tickets, please email registrations@iastate.edu if you are no longer planning to attend Cyclone Family Weekend. This allows us to offer any tour tickets to another family.