By Ace Grado/Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College is gearing up for its annual Family Weekend 2025, known as Valley Palooza, set for Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28. The weekend will bring together students, families, alumni, and community members for a celebration filled with events, food, and Viking pride.

The festivities begin Friday evening with Light Up the Night, a Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Walk starting at 7:30 p.m. Participants will gather at the columns on College Street and walk through a path of reflection before finishing on the MVC Track.

Saturday morning kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Applebee’s in Marshall (1251 Cherokee Dr.). The breakfast costs $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62 and older), $5 for students, while children 10 and under eat free. From there, the Viking Tailgate Zone will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., leading right into the marquee event of the weekend: MVC Football vs. Baker University, with kickoff at 1 p.m.

For many alumni and faculty, Family Weekend is about more than just the schedule of events, it’s about connections and traditions. Alumna Kari Snider, who still resides in Marshall, recalled how her family, already deeply tied to the college with her older brother graduating from MVC, always found ways to make the weekend meaningful. “Since my family lived in the Marshall area, we didn’t have to travel in for the events, but we always opened our home to MVC students whose families couldn’t be here. It made the weekend special for us because we got to share that family feeling with others,” Snider said.

Faculty also share in the excitement. Professor Tiffany Bergman, who has taught at Missouri Valley for 25 years, said Family Weekend has been a highlight throughout her time at the college. Both of her sons graduated from MVC, with one playing football, which made those weekends especially memorable. “It was exciting to get to see my son play during Family Weekend,” Bergman said. She added that she enjoys meeting her students’ parents each year and reconnecting with friends in the MVC community. “I love the relaxed setting. It’s a time to hang out, not worry about academics, and just genuinely enjoy being together.”

Students are also buzzing with anticipation for this year’s Valley Palooza. Freshman, Lauryn Pycke states “I’m most looking forward to spending time with my family, showing them around campus and enjoying all the fun activities and games during family weekend. 

Valley Palooza promises to be a spirited and meaningful weekend, bringing the Viking community together to celebrate, reflect, and cheer on Missouri Valley College.