POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam will greet new and returning students during Welcome Weekend 2017, from Aug. 25 to 27.

New incoming students will arrive during move-in day on Friday, Aug. 25. Nearly 800 first-year students and their families will be around campus and the village

The freshman class will be greeted by faculty and staff during the First-Year Funnel at 4:45 p.m. on Friday. Campus community members will cheer on the long line of new students, as they walk to their convocation.

Ken E. Nwadike Jr., the founder of the Free Hugs Project, will be the convocation speaker, and will engage students in a conversation about understanding and compassion. A peace activist and video journalist, Nwadike's "Free Hugs" videos have exceeded hundreds of millions of views and helps to spread his message of spreading love and inspiring change. Nwadike will also interact with SUNY Potsdam first-year students throughout the day as they get settled on campus.

Freshmen will take in a welcome picnic at 6:45 p.m., followed by floor meetings in the residence halls. At 9:30 p.m. on Friday, SUNY Potsdam will set off fireworks to welcome the Class of 2021, immediately followed by an outdoor movie screening in Marshall Park on campus. There will be karaoke offered in Hurley's Night Club beginning at 11 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, there will be a Transitions Conference for new students who were unable to attend summer orientation, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be teambuilding activities in the Academic Quad from 10:30 a.m. to noon, after which first-year students will tour campus with their RAs at 1:30 p.m.

Also returning this year is the Crane New Student Ensemble Concert, showcasing the talents of incoming Crane School of Music orchestral students as they perform a piece all together-with little to no practice beforehand. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Hosmer M. Hosmer Concert Hall. This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Students can attend an event with comedian Ronnie Jordan at 9 p.m. Saturday in Dunn Theater, followed by a lip sync battle in Hurley's beginning at 10 p.m.

The Welcome Weekend Carnival will be offered on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Maxcy Hall Fieldhouse. The goal of this event is to bring the campus community together to kick off the academic year. The event is free for students, faculty, staff and families.

There will be a variety of carnival games and activities, including tie-dying, inflatables, a photo booth, a make-it-yourself stuffed animal station and more. Maxcy Hall will also offer open swim and open climbing wall hours during the carnival. The carnival will also feature plenty of free refreshments, while supplies last. SUNY Potsdam students will be entered for special prizes at the carnival, while there will also be activities and games for children under 12 throughout the day as well.

Representatives from student clubs and organizations will staff a wide variety of carnival activities throughout the day. During this time, student leaders will also have the opportunity to promote their organizations, with the goal of motivating student participation in leadership activities on campus.

Returning students will move in throughout the weekend. The fall semester kicks off on Monday, Aug. 28, with classes commencing that morning.

To cap off the start of the semester, SUNY Potsdam students will once again be invited to the thirteenth annual "First Saturday" in downtown Potsdam on Saturday, Sept. 2, from noon to 5 p.m. Co-sponsored by Clarkson University, the event brings together students from both campuses to enjoy shopping specials, food, music and live entertainment in downtown Potsdam.

There will be a variety of "First Saturday" contests and activities to introduce students to the Village of Potsdam and participating businesses. Student performing groups from both SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson will perform throughout the day on the Market Street main stage.