WITH VIDEO: SIBS Weekend lets students relive childhood memories
The best part of SIBS Weekend for Danielle Larkin, 6, was spending time with her sister, Lake Georgia junior Trisha Larkin — and winning Candy Land.
The life-sized version of the board game was held Friday in Finch Fieldhouse as part of the first day of the weekend of events. Brothers and sisters were kept busy with an open climb, glow-bowling, bingo, and movies such as "Despicable Me" and "Toy Story 3."
On Saturday, participants enjoyed an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, swimming in the Student Activity Center, a photo scavenger hunt, the SIBS Game Show and an annual carnival.
Trisha and Danielle Larkin made the Candy Land game their first stop.
“I kept on getting all the pink squares,” Danielle said. “The best part of it was getting all the candy.”
Tall stacks of colorful balloons marked the start and finish of the game. Groups of siblings rolled over-sized dice to move from square to square, hoping to land on a square with a prize box.
Danielle won a red bracelet and Tootsie Roll candy, which she ate on the spot. Other prizes included Barbie dolls, action figures, fans from the Central Michigan University Bookstore and gift cards. All participants received sweets upon finishing the game.
“We have a lot of stuff to do,” Trisha said. “I didn’t know what to expect.”
The siblings planned to watch "Despicable Me" and go to the Carnival, but Danielle said most of all she could not wait to go swimming in the pool.
Caledonia junior Emily Schubert handed out candy and prizes at the end of the Candy Land game.
“Earlier, the line wrapped all around Finch Fieldhouse,” Schubert said. “It’s more interactive than a movie.”
Laura Khalil, co-chair of the SIBS Weekend Committee and Livonia senior, said they had to start the event 15 minutes early because so many people showed up to play.
"We thought the younger kids would love it," Khalil said. "And the older kids would remember it from their childhood.”
Khalil said more interactive life-sized games like Battleship, chess and checkers could be used in future weekends.
