Below, you'll find the Family Day schedule for 2024. It will continue to be updated regularly.
We are excited to have you back to campus for Family Day. This year your registration fee of $40 per family member over the age of 8, covers your Family Day shirt,* morning activities, the Eagle Family Lunch and Musical Showcase, afternoon on-campus activities, event supplies, and administrative costs. For Winthrop Students, the cost for particpating in family day is $20. If you have children under 8, they are welcome to come join us at no cost, but please do not register them. You will need to register each additional family member, including your student.
Registration closed on September 22nd, but late registration is available. Please complete the registration form to reserve your spot.
Note: All participants must wear your official Family Day nametag for admission into events.
While Friday is not officially part of Family Day, we recognize that some families come into town early. Thus, we have put together this list of some activities and local restaurants for you. The Rock Hill area has so many great food options and local flavors for you to explore during your visit!
Music lovers come on Friday Oct 6 for the annual Blues & Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Arts Council of York County. The festival's Old Town Crawl features several bands, rain or shine. A $20 wristband allows entry to all venues. Click here for more information about tickets.
First Fridays Rock Hill takes place inside the shops, restaurants, galleries, and venues located in Old Town Rock Hill, with different happenings at each one. Visitors can expect to hear music, see art, and shop pop-up markets. Many restaurants will have food and drink specials during First Fridays Rock Hill.
200 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Come take a stroll in Downtown Fort Mill to see all the amazing Scarecrow entries created by individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, churches and more.
Each of our adventure-filled excursions is something that everyone in the family will love. Whether you're 2 or 102, you'll find thrilling recreation activities at Mr. Putty's that you'll enjoy. We offer Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing, Bungee Jumping and SO much more!
Today's the day! Family Day on Saturday is broken into two parts below: Morning and Afternoon, a reminder, Family Day registration includes all Saturday on-campus morning activities, the Eagle Family Lunch and Musical Showcase, most Saturday afternoon (unless cost is otherwise listed). You must be wearing your official Family Day nametag for admission into all events.
Welcome, Eagle families! All registered participants should check-in for Family Day to receive their name tag, lunch ticket, and other Family Day items. Have some time after check-in and before the first session? Enjoy refreshments, visit the Winthrop Bookstore in the DiGiorgio Campus Center, or take a moment to explore our campus in the fall!
If you arrive after 10:45 a.m., please still go to the same location for late check-in until noon.
We are thrilled to see you back on campus for Family Day 2024! Join us for this kick-off session and hear from Dr. Sebastian VanDelden, Provost and Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, Vice President for Student Affairs, who will welcome you back for the day!
Office of New Student & Family Programs, and Division of Student Affairs
Learn about the academic opportunities within your student's Academic College and hear highlights from students and professors. Highlights can include current research, special projects and events, academic successes, and more!
For the afternoon, choose your own adventure and explore all that campus and Rock Hill have to offer! All events included unless otherwise listed.
Enjoy a delicious picnic meal while listing to the sounds of the Winthrop University Department of Music as the musical ensembles come together for an afternoon of harmony during your lunch.
Students - please swipe your Winthrop ID card.
Department of Music, Winthrop's Vocal & Instrumental Ensembles, College of Visual & Performing Arts
*Rain Location: McBryde Hall for College of Visual and Performing Arts and College of Education Students
*Rain Location: West Center for College of Arts and Sciences, University College, and College of Business and Technology Students
Take home a fun family picture drawn by local artists!
Office of New Student & Family Programs
*Rain Location: DiGorgio Campus Center Room 114
Celebrate the season with us and decorate a pumpkin to take home! Our pumpkins are local from Cotton Hill Farms.
Office of New Student & Family Programs
*Rain Location: Richardson Ballroom
Decorate your own brownie with frosting and and adding a sweet garnish.
*Rain Location: DiGorgio Campus Center 1st Floor
Take home a photo strip to remember your day!
*Rain Location: DiGorgio Campus Center 1st Floor
Take home a photo with “Huge Stuff”, a 25 ft inflatable of our beloved mascot Big Stuff!
*Rain Location: Cancelled
This exhibit will consist of documents, photographs, memorabilia, and other materials relating to Winthrop’s history including uniforms, scrapbooks, china, and correspondence, as well as early catalogues, yearbooks, and student handbooks. Admission is free!
*Rain Location: Bookstore Commons
Students and families come and enjoy a game of Winthrop soccer! $4 Admission with the code FamilyDay24.
Enjoy a friendly game of corn hole, or test your skills playing giant Jenga!
*Rain Location: DiGorgio Campus Center 1st Floor
Legacy students and their families are invited to join us for a scavenger hunt that will be held at The Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center at the Stewart House, located at 525 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, SC 29733.
The Student Alumni Council and Alumni Association have hidden clues around campus to share more about Winthrop’s history and beloved traditions. The first family to complete the scavenger hunt and return to the Stewart House will receive a family prize pack! This event is exclusively for legacy students and their families. Register by Friday, Sept. 27.
Families registered to participate in this event will receive an e-mail with additional information.
As you peruse Winthrop's lush and beautiful campus, you may notice that natural features play an important role in the overall charm. Join Winthrop's Office of Sustainability to enhance this beauty by planting a tree or other plant(s) on Family Day for future Eagles to enjoy.
Participation in this event requires a pre-registration. Participants: please be advised that you may get a little dirty during this event as you will be working with soil and plants, so plan to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Office of Sustainability, Campus Tree Plan
*Rain Plan: Cancelled
Come learn about the library program and make a button!
*Rain Location: DiGorgio Campus Center 1st Floor
Families will have the opportunity to try out our 36 foot climbing wall and new pickleball equipment!
Recreational Services, Office of New Student & Family Programs
Showcase your smarts and have some friendly competition with your family during Family Day trivia and bingo! The winning team will receive a prize. Game on!
The Edge is the seating located on the lower level near the food court.
Office of New Student & Family Programs
Come join us as a family to decorate a special flower pot and plant your student a succulent to keep and remember your day together.
Join us for our fall festivities! We have a U-Pick Pumpkins, Fall Hay Rides (end at 4 p.m.), and The Market at Lowrys (closes at 7 p.m.), which is our seasonal produce stand and offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products like ice cream! Prices vary by activity.
Jump into fall with us! With plenty of activities to keep all family members entertained, this family-owned and operated apple orchard is a great family activity. At Windy Hill, you can enjoy fresh pressed apple cider, fresh-made apple products like the hot apple cider donut, and award-winning hard cider. Go apple-picking yourselves or buy some apples from the farm stand. Live music by Electric Dreams from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Entry to Windy Hill is free, but additional costs vary by activity.
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
The Piedmont Medical Center Walking Trail at Riverwalk offers scenic views of the Catawba River and is a great locale to explore Rock Hill's natural beauty and spend time with the family. The trail itself is 3.35 miles one way and offers trekkers access to flat areas, both uphill and downhill stretches, in addition to benches and bridges along the way. Walk the entire trail or just a piece - the whole family is sure to enjoy! Entry is free.
Piedmont Medical Center Walking Trail
Please view this list of local restaurants for dinner on Saturday night. The Rock Hill area has so many great food options and local flavors! This is a great opportunity to come together toward the end of Family Day and enjoy some good food together as a family.
Looking for something to do with your family on Saturday night? Check out some local options - THINGS TO DO
Carowinds is transformed from a "theme park" into a "scream park" at SCarowinds - the Carolinas' largest Halloween event. Whatever you fear is here!
Entry to SCarowinds is not included in Family Day registration, and families who choose to participate are responsible for all SCarowinds costs. Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the gate.
