As students and families anticipate Parents Weekend, some may have trouble finding a hotel room or a seat at Syracuse’s most popular restaurants.

The event, which takes place from Friday morning until Sunday evening will give a large number of families a myriad of activities to participate in both on and off campus.

‘It’s a time for families to come to campus and experience student life,’ said Missy Mathis-Hanlon, assistant director of the Parents Office at Syracuse University. ‘They also get information helpful to students and their families.’

Mathis-Hanlon noted that so far more than 2,000 families have registered for Parents Weekend, which totals more than 5,350 people. More families, she said, are expected to register in person during the weekend.

According to Mathis-Hanlon, several information sessions will take place throughout the weekend to accommodate all the families, including those pertaining to career, housing and off-campus services.

Other entertaining events will also take place on and off campus, such as shuttle trips to Armory Square, performances at the Syracuse Stage and open skate at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus.

‘One of the highlights (of the weekend) for me is the Campus Cabaret on Saturday night, because it’s a student-produced event,’ Mathis-Hanlon said.

Parents Weekend is also expected to benefit other areas of Syracuse outside the university.

‘Normally, we’re packed Thursday through Sunday of both Parents Weekend and Homecoming Weekend, so we’re naturally very excited about it,’ said Abigail Doyle, an office worker at Dinosaur BBQ, a popular restaurant in downtown Syracuse. ‘(Events) at the university really affect business here.’

One of Dinosaur BBQ’s managers, Kyle Timmons, echoed the same positive attitude about Parents Weekend.

‘Getting so many people from out of town is something we thrive on. I think we operate even better under the pressure,’ he said. ‘We love to show people a good time.’

In order to accommodate the long waiting lines and full tables, Doyle said that Dinosaur BBQ plans to have additional staffing and extra hands to help ease customers’ impatience.

‘There’s always something to do outside and in,’ Timmons said.

The Sheraton University Hotel and Conference Center, which offers rooms for visiting guests to the university throughout the year, also expects to reap the economic benefits of Parents Weekend.

‘We’re fully booked at the moment,’ said David Heymann, the general manager of the Sheraton. ‘This is very good for business at the Sheraton.’

On Friday, Heymann said, there will be a welcoming table for guests, complete with refreshments.

‘We plan on having extra staff on hand in order to accommodate our guests’ comfort,’ Heymann said. ‘Our main goal is always to serve guests well and to ensure that they have a great stay with us.’

Published on September 30, 2004 at 12:00 pm