Creating an environment for children in the Charleston community at Eastern is essential. Eastern tries to include them in special events.  

On Tuesday, the homecoming committee hosted the traditional family fun night event. The fun night was held at the Martin Luther King University Union in the University Ballroom from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Many families joined together to play games, eat snacks and sit at one of the many arts and crafts tables.  

The games included Twister, Tic-Tac-Toe, Connect 4, checkers and bingo. Bingo started at 5:30 p.m. and gave kids the opportunity to win many different toys and stuffed animals. There were multiple rounds of bingo, and they switched the style of how the game was played every three rounds.  

No child was left empty-handed. A snack table included drinks, chips, cookies and even stuffed animals that the children could take and keep.

There was also a table with a large variety of board games. Each child could pick out a board game before leaving the event as a way to have memorabilia of the event.  

Children’s music played in the background, along with a backdrop for pictures and on-theme items like inflatable dice that the kids could play with. Many kids were able to play with one another, and parents were able to give them a chance to play on a school night. 

Kristal Munoz, a senior majoring in criminology, led the event. Munoz is the University Board Homecoming Co-Coordinator and she addressed why the event is successful at spreading panther pride through all demographics.

“Family Fun Night is a tradition that helps highlight the EIU community and the families, faculty, and students who have children,” Munoz said. “The kids are able to be involved in a space designated for them.” 

During homecoming week, students on campus have their events, and the faculty has their events, but this provides a space for kids to have their events. Children who could connect with the campus at a young age could possibly be a future panther.  

Last year, Munoz got to experience the behind the scenes of how the board runs the events, but now she is fully running some events by herself. There are some goals that she hopes to come out of this event.

“I really hope the children feel like they are a part of it, and they know we are a campus that welcomes them as well,” Munoz said. “Also, allowing the parents to know that there is a space provided for their kids.” 

Each year, Eastern’s homecoming steering committee hosts an annual student night on Thursday. This year, the event is Casino Night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be lots of prizes and chances for students to win. Along with that, there will be a block party pep rally at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Jacob Adcock can be reached at 581-2812 or at jadcock@eiu.edu.