Dad’s Weekend begins this Friday and will offer a few changes to better cater to a wide range of fathers. 
After a long period of preparation, this year’s event will also be featuring the new Dad’s Expo and beer tasting at the alehouse.
“It’s the first-ever Dad’s Expo where surrounding area businesses will be showing, telling and selling their items,” said Wesley Gadwa, Dad’s Weekend chairman.

The newly added event will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Friday in front of the Student Union Building during Dad’s check-in.  Local stores will be displaying tools, climbing gear, cars, golf equipment, ATVs, motorcycles, home improvement equipment and root beer floats.
“The broad array of sports to aviation will be sure to peak the interest of any father,” Gadwa said.  “Let’s face it, no two dads are the same, but each is equally worthy of a weekend devoted to them.”

At 6 p.m.  Friday, another new event will take place — a beer tasting at the Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company Alehouse.
“Now I’ll be honest, my dad and I could throw a golf ball farther than we could hit it,” said Gadwa.  “So this added event followed by the beer tasting, which my dad is looking forward to, could possibly start a new tradition with Vandal alumni.”
Even though Gadwa’s favorite event is the tailgating barbeque, before he heads to the dome and cheers on the Vandals, the golf tournament still holds strong as one of the most popular events, according to the adviser for the Student Alumni Relations Board (SArb), Katie Dahlinger.
“Planning starts a year in advance,” Dahlinger said. “When the SArb advisers get the football schedule, we choose a date for Dad’s Weekend, the work on getting the committee together, the activities developed, and getting the registration mailer to the parents of current students,” she said. 
SArb sponsors the event, but it is actually a group of volunteers who brainstorm and come up with the new ideas for Dad’s Weekend.  That includes logos, activities and gifts.

“There is also a lot of behind the scenes work,” Dahlinger said, “There are many Dad’s Weekend events that the SArb doesn’t host, but all the same, we’re happy students are building better connections with their parents.”
Last year’s turnout showed 235 registrations for events plus 75 on-the-spot ticket purchases.
“Last year’s turnout was great,” Dahlinger said. “The golf tournament sold out, and every event on the schedule got great participation … but there is always room for improvement.”

Dahlinger said she feels it is great for the students to come up with what they want the weekend to be, and it’s her job to realize it.
“Try it out just once,” she said. “If you have comments, share them, along with some ideas for improvement.”
“Get involved this year,” Gadwa said, “and honor the man that helped you get where you are today.”

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