Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News

Zeeland freshman Johanna Slusser, along with her brother Josiah Slusser receive a drawing of themselves Saturday afternoon at the Sibs Carnival. The carnival took place inside of the Student Activity Center. [Click to enlarge]

Five-year-old Cydney Schmock sat in Ludington freshman Nicole Albrecht's arms eating a root beer float, patiently waiting in line to get a caricature done.

Life was good for Cydney and many others during the Sibs Weekend carnival Saturday afternoon in the Student Activity Center.

Cydney and Albrecht were two of 2,200 students and siblings who attended Saturday's carnival, one of the highlighted events of the annual family-oriented weekend, which celebrated its 45th year.

"It's a staple in the program. … Students love it. The siblings love it," said Damon Brown, coordinator of student activities for the Office of Student Life. "It's just a great way to get together with your sibling and have fun."

Albrecht, a family friend of Cydney, said Sibs Weekend gave the two an opportunity to spend time together during the school year.

"Since I'm really busy with school, I don't have a lot of time to be at home with her," Albrecht said. "So it gives us a weekend to spend together. It's kind of like the summer all over again, (except) she gets to see where I live."

The carnival included an inflatable rat race obstacle course, other inflatable setups, laser tag, carnival games, body art, balloon animal artists, guitar hero, dance dance revolution, arts and crafts and an antique photo scene.

Hungry students and siblings enjoyed popcorn, cotton candy, cookie decorating and root beer floats. A cappella group Fish n' Chips also performed at various spots in the SAC.

Kimball Township freshman McKenzie Bade, who brought her cousin and her younger brother, said she liked the set up of the weekend because it gave her an opportunity visit relatives while having things for them to do.

"It's nice to have a structured schedule to what's going on because it gives us stuff to do together," Bade said. "It's cool all of the stuff they have for them."

This was not the first Sibs Weekend for Montrose freshman Brittany Coxon.

"I went to Sibs Weekend when I was younger with my sisters and that's my sister's daughter," Coxon said, pointing to her niece Abby Barrett. "So it's kind of like tradition."

Brighton graduate student Christina Miller was not only able to bring up her niece, but also her mother Susan Gardner, who also is a CMU student. Gardner plans to graduate in May after she completes a business administration degree at CMU's Livonia branch.


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