Inside Iowa State

Nov. 18, 2005

Celebrate winter with your campus colleagues Nov. 30

by Linda Charles

Winter is on the way, and so is Iowa State's annual celebration of it. This year's festival on Wednesday, Nov. 30, includes an illumination ceremony, "giving" project, hayrides, hot cocoa and cookie decorating.

"We hope the entire community will celebrate winter and what our community can do together," said Laura Bestler-Wilcox, assistant director of the Student Activities Center and adviser for the festival.

At 5 p.m., with ISU carillonneur Tin-Shi Tam providing music, student Freshman Council members will light luminaries on central campus. At 5:15 p.m., the illumination ceremony begins on the west lawn of Curtiss Hall.

President Gregory Geoffroy, Ames mayor Ted Tedesco and Angela Groh, president of the Government of the Student Body, will welcome everyone. A sing-a-long, led by ISU mascot Cy, will follow. The highlight of the ceremony will be the lighting of several buildings, including the campanile, Marston water tower and the Memorial Union. The "century tree" in front of Beardshear also will be lit, Bestler-Wilcox said.

Throwing the switch on the tree lights will be one of the youngsters for whom ISU students raise funds during their January dance marathon.

The University Book Store will offer several specials and free gift wrapping from 4 to 7:30 p.m. That might be a good time to pick up something for the festival's "giving" project, which runs from Nov. 18 through Dec. 9. New mittens, scarves, coats and blankets are solicited. Items will be distributed to local shelters and nonprofit agencies to give to those in need.

If you get tired of walking around campus, hop on one of the free hayride wagons that will run from 4 to 8 p.m. around central campus, from the Farm House Museum to the Memorial Union.

A new event this year will be cookie decorating provided by ISU Dining. Once you've created your masterpiece, you can enjoy it there or take it home. Cookies will be available beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the ground floor Commons of the Memorial Union.

The kids will want to stop by the Memorial Union Campanile Room for winter fairy tales from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Adults, on the other hand, may prefer the Lovemakers in the Memorial Union Maintenance Shop. The show, featuring alternative rock, begins at 8 p.m.

A good place to learn about "all things winter" around the world will be Cafe au Lait, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Students groups will celebrate their countries through 10- to 20-minute performances.

A complete list of festival events follows.

2005 Winter Festival

4-2549
Free unless otherwise noted
*Discounts for ISU students

Wednesday, Nov. 30

• 7:45 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Open house, University Book Store (4-7:30 p.m. special sales, 6-7 p.m. photos with Cy), MU.
• 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sale, winter flowers, ISU Horticulture Club (while supplies last), University Book Store foyer, MU.
• 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Art Mart, blown glass, pottery, jewelry and prints, most items $8-$20, (also on Tuesday, Nov. 29, noon-5 p.m.), Cardinal Room, MU.
• 4-8 p.m., Hayrides, central campus, depart from Farm House Museum and MU.
• 5 p.m., Concert, Tin-Shi Tam, ISU music, campanile.
• 5-7 p.m., Hot cocoa, central campus locations.
• 5-8 p.m., Bowling, *$2, Recreation Center, MU.
• 5-7 p.m., Open house, Farm House Museum, decorated in Victorian holiday style, refreshments.
• 5:15 p.m., Illumination ceremony, welcome by President Gregory Geoffroy, Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco and GSB President Angela Groh, sing-a-long and lighting of campus buildings, Curtiss, west side.
• 5:45 p.m., Cookie decorating, while supplies last, commons, MU.
• 5:45-7 p.m., Story telling, Campanile Room, MU.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cafe au Lait: Global Stage, short performances by ISU international students about winter customs in their home countries, Great Hall, MU.
• 8 p.m., Concert, The Lovemakers, alternative rock, opening acts: She Wants and Rock Kills Kid, *$10, Maintenance Shop, MU.

An outdoor lighting ceremony, hayrides, open houses, story telling, treats and music are part of the winter festival.