---
title: Happy Families
date: 2018-09-24T09:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/happy-families-7fb98582-70ba-44b7-9c26-5d98a18f9cbd"
section: Articles
---
# Happy Families

*September 24, 2018* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff)


> Event-Packed Family Weekend Draws 7,000

*DSC 0441 min — One of the highlights of Family Weekend was Saturday's 0.5K Downhill “Race" along McKeldin Mall. It started with a trainer from RecWell and Testudo leading stretching exercises, particularly to prepare for the work of bringing a doughnut and coffee to the mouth at the "hydration station." Afterward all participants in the race got a medal and a bumper sticker to reward their efforts.*

More than 7,000 Terp family members and their students toured, cheered, paddled, golfed, sang and ate their way through the university’s 38th annual Family Weekend.

The three-day event, ending yesterday, boasted the second-highest attendance in its history, said Brian Watkins, director of the Office of Parent and Family Affairs.

Additions for 2018 included dinners for Terp legacy families and out-of-staters, in partnership with the Alumni Association, and a 0.5K “race” down McKeldin Mall, including a doughnut and coffee hydration station halfway through.

Other highlights included the annual gospel brunch, a RecWell paddling tour of D.C. along the Potomac River, a Terps Against Hunger community-service event, and post-football game tailgate, which drew over 2,200 guests.

- Jordan Dowtin-Dorsey and her mother, Ebony Dowtin Harris paint ceramic mini-Testudos at the Art & Learning Center.
*DSC 0337 min*
- Paint-a-Turtle, which sold out, was just one of nearly two dozen Family Weekend held on Friday alone. Others included open houses, the new Terp Legacy Families Dinner and the annual silent auction.
*DSC 0338 min*
- One of the highlights of Family Weekend was Saturday's 0.5K Downhill “Race" along McKeldin Mall. It started with a trainer from RecWell and Testudo leading stretching exercises, particularly to prepare for the work of bringing a doughnut and coffee to the mouth at the "hydration station." Afterward all participants in the race got a medal and a bumper sticker to reward their efforts.
*DSC 0441 min 0*
- Students and families play cornhole at the Honors College’s Gemstone Program Tailgate before Saturday’s football matchup against Minnesota.
*DSC 0460 min*
- Parents and families of Gemstone students fuel up for the game at the Family Weekend Tailgate hosted by Gemstone Friends & Family and Gemstone Student Council.
*DSC 0467 min*

**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Student Life](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-life)