Parent and Family Weekend

Check-In*  Pick up your name tags and weekend gift before beginning an amazing blue and gold weekend!

Museum of the Rockies,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

Silent Auction*  The Bobcat Parent & Family Program has gathered a selection of unique items from across MSU and the community. Artwork, Bobcat apparel and gift items will be on display and open for bids. Funds raised will be used directly for student outreach programs and activities. Bids close at 7:30pm.

Items available at check-in until 4:00pm, then at the Parent & Family Social from 5:30-7:00pm

Family Photos with Spirit the Bobcat*  Bring your family to have a picture taken with MSU’s Bobcat statue, Spirit! Pictures will be shared online and can be downloaded free of charge.

Alumni Plaza, Montana State University

Take a Hike  Visit the Outdoor Recreation Center adjacent to the Roskie Hall parking lot and Intramural Fields. Those interested in area hikes should stop by to receive maps and directions.

Outdoor Recreation Center, 1401 West Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

Hit the Gym*  Those registered for the Parent & Family Weekend will receive free admission at the MSU Fitness Center all weekend long. 

Enjoy a Gallery  There are three campus galleries to enjoy:

Helen E. Copeland Gallery located in Haynes Hall;

School of Architecture gallery located just inside the East entrance of Cheever Hall;

The Exit Gallery located in the Strand Union Building

Visit a Museum  Check out the world-famous Siebel Dinosaur Complex, Taylor Planetarium and the Real Genghis Khan exhibit. Those registered for the Parent & Family Weekend will receive free admissions throughout the Museum of the Rockies. 

Do you prefer something with less scales and more recent historical advancements? We recommend the American Computer & Robotics Museum located at 2023 Stadium Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715

Traditions and Legends Campus Tour*  Join representatives from the MSU Alumni Foundation on a historical tour of campus.

Museum of the Rockies,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

American Indian Heritage Day  Join the MSU community in celebrating American Indian Heritage Day: Stewards of Knowledge: Indigenous Artists as Teachers. There will be an Artist Exhibition from 11am-2pm, Fashion Show at noon, and an Artist Panel at 1pm.

Strand Union Building, Ballrooms B,C,D, Montana State University

Pie a Pi Phi  The women of Pi Beta Phi are hosting their annual Pie a Pi Phi event to raise money for the Read>Lead>Achieve Literacy Initiatives. This event features the opportunity to pie a Pi Phi member in the face with shaving cream. We welcome all parent & family members who are in town to join us at the Pi Phi chapter house!

Pi Beta Phi, 1304 S. 5th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715

Making Our World in Ten Events: People & Episodes that Changed History, an MSU Wonderlust Event*  In this lecture, Regents Professor of History Brett Walker explores ten sweeping events that shaped our world by looking at the people and developments that have propelled the global sapiens community into the terrain in which we find ourselves today. The lecture focuses on the historical resonances that events can create, and how they spiral out and connect to people and places in unintended ways. In this manner, we will investigate how human agency operates in history and how human decisions can have broad-ranging consequences for all life on Earth.

Museum of the Rockies Hagar Auditorium,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

The Continued Winding Road to Adulthood, a lecture from Dean Caires*  In this 45 minute lecture, Dean of Students Matt Caires will share perspectives on your student’s development through early adulthood and the work MSU does to support and encourage their path to maturity.
Museum of the Rockies Hagar Auditorium, 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

Parent & Family Reception*  Enjoy appetizers and good company at the Museum of the Rockies. Use this time to visit with MSU faculty and administration, guests from community and other families. Silent auctions will be available for bidding and will close at 7:30. After-hours special access to the museum’s dinosaur exhibit will be available to the attendees.

Museum of the Rockies,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

Friday Night Magic  Rook’s Games and More hosts a fun, casual Friday Night Magic event, perfect for learning the game of Magic or trying out new decks.

Rook’s Games and More, 2740 W Main Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

Cats for Costco  Visit the local Bozeman Costco for treats, giveaways and membership promotions. New members will receive an $80 Costco cash card when opening a new membership.

Costco Wholesale, 2505 Catron St, Bozeman, MT 59718

Take a Hike  Visit the Outdoor Recreation Center located on West Lincoln Street adjacent to the Roskie Hall parking lot and Intramural Fields. Those interested in area hikes should stop by to receive maps and directions.

Outdoor Recreation Center, 1401 West Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

9:00 am - Noon

Run for the Roses  Join the sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi at their 23rd annual 5k run/walk benefitting the Arthritis Foundation. A $30 registration fee includes a t-shirt and a light breakfast following the run. A 1-mile route will also be available. Advance registration is required by clicking on the "Buy Items or Donate" button.

Centennial Mall outside of Montana Hall, Montana State University

10:00 am - Noon

Fly Fishing 101  Learn the basics of casting and setting up your gear during a free, two-hour fly fishing class designed to get the beginner or novice fly fisher started on the right track. Registration is full for this event. 

Bozeman Pond, 700 S Fowler Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715

$5 Breakfast Pita Saturday  Enjoy a delicious breakfast pita with scrambled eggs, fries, and spicy red sauce. Add meat if you would like!

Z’s Meze Market, 102 S 19th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715

Other Breakfast Options  Here are some local favorites: Nova Café, Jam!, the Western Café, Mainstreet Overeasy, Sola Café, Bagelworks, Cat Eye Café, Red Chair, the Coffee Pot, Lot G, Feed Café, and Storm Castle Café. Find other downtown breakfast locations at downtownbozeman.org.

MSU Rugby  Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams will be facing off against Utah Valley University. Women kick off at 10am, Men at 12pm, and a Women’s Alumni game starts at 2pm. There will be no event parking at the Turf Complex; please utilize the parking lots surrounding the Complex.

Lambert Turf Field Complex,1401 W. Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT

Parent & Family Tailgate*  Mix and mingle with other parents and families before cheering on the Bobcats! Brunch and yard games will be provided along with a cash bar.

Bobcat Stadium

Scenic Raft Trip [CANCELED]  Due to this weekend’s weather forecast, we are cancelling the rafting trips scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. In lieu of this, we invite you to stop by the Outdoor Rec Center's rental shop on Saturday between 11-6pm where we will have coffee, tea, and an opportunity to learn more about our program. We hope to see you there!

Outdoor Recreation Center, 1401 West Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

Bobcat Football vs. Northern Arizona University  Cheer on the Bobcats as we play Northern Arizona University. Show your MSU spirit and make sure to wear blue and gold or your Parent & Family Weekend t-shirt!

Tickets must be purchased in advance!Use the promo code Parent on TicketsWest to purchase tickets in the Parent and Family section!

Scenic Raft Trip [CANCELED]  Due to this weekend’s weather forecast, we are cancelling the rafting trips scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. In lieu of this, we invite you to stop by the Outdoor Rec Center's rental shop on Saturday between 11-6pm where we will have coffee, tea, and an opportunity to learn more about our program. We hope to see you there!

Other Options

Breakfast Options  Grab a bite of breakfast before heading out of town! Here are some local favorites: Nova Café, Jam!, The Western Café, Mainstreet Overeasy, Sola Café, Bagelworks, Cat Eye Café, Red Chair, Bagels Etc., the Coffee Pot, Lot G, Feed Café, and Storm Castle Café. Find other downtown breakfast locations at downtownbozeman.org.

Visit a Museum  The Museum of the Rockies and Montana State have a close relationship allowing for our students to reap the benefit. The MOR not only has world-renowned dinosaur exhibits but also features rotating displays year-round.

Museum of the Rockies,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

Hit the Gym*  Those registered for the Parent & Family Weekend will receive free admission at the MSU Fitness Center all weekend long.

Religious Services  Look over the Bozeman Daily Chronicle’s list of Gallatin Valley Church Services.

Shop, Dine or Play  Visit historic Downtown Bozeman for some delicious food and amazing shopping. Visit downtownbozeman.org for more information.

Entertainment  Check out the Bozone publication for musical performances, sports events, classes, and all the unique events Bozeman has to offer.