Inside Iowa State

Nov. 17, 2006

Winterfest adds events, expands to three days

by Samantha Beres

Cyclone sisters frost cookies at the 2005 Winterfest.

Winterfest is an annual celebration steeped in tradition -- the "lighting" of campus, horse-drawn hay rides and hot cocoa are a few of the standards. This year, traditions will remain, but the typically one-day affair will span three days, starting Nov. 29 and ending at midnight on Dec. 1.

The five-student committee coordinating festival events aims to make Winterfest a bigger tradition. "We have Homecoming in the fall and Veishea in the spring, but there aren't any major winter events," said Winterfest co-chair Emily Arentson, who added that this is an experimental year.

In keeping with tradition, a main feature will be the illumination ceremony on the steps of Curtiss Hall. There will be music by carilloneur Tin-shi Tam and sing-alongs with ISU's Shy of a Dozen. Offering words of welcome will be executive assistant to the president Tahira Hira, ISU Alumni Association president Jeff Johnson and GSB president Emily Jensen. A Dance Marathon Miracle Child will wave a magic wand to simultaneously "light" the Marston water tower and trees around campus as the face of the campanile changes color.

On the second evening, outdoor events will take place at the Southwest Athletics Complex from 5 to 8 p.m. The Juggling Club will do a night show with fire-lit torches. Free cocoa and s'mores will be available and the paintball club will hold a tournament for ISU students.

There are a lot of other things going on throughout the three days: poinsettia sales, cheese and sausage sales, open houses at the Farm House and University Book Store, giving projects, a CD signing by music artist-in-residence Simon Estes, a book signing by English faculty member Deb Marquart, food tasting and more.

"We really want to celebrate the winter season, to create something for the Iowa State community that goes beyond just the students," said Winterfest co-chair Shallee Keenan.

The three days, she said, are a chance to invite the Ames community to campus and for more student organizations and university offices to become involved in this annual event.

Main sponsors are the UBS, Student Union Board, and offices of the president, student affairs and provost.

2006 Winterfest, Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Wednesday, November 29

• 7:45 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Open house, University Book Store, discounts, iPod give-aways, demonstrations, photos with Cy and more, MU.
• 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Poinsettia sale, Horticulture Club, UBS lobby, MU.
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Summer sausage and cheese sale, Block & Bridle Club, UBS lobby, MU.
• 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Art Mart, arts and crafts by ISU and Ames artists: pottery, jewelry, scarves, original prints, blown glass from The Workspace, ISU Print Club and Gaffers Guild, Maintenance Shop, MU.
• 4-8 p.m., Carriage rides, central campus.
• 5-5:30 p.m., Festival opening program, Bells of Iowa State played by carilloneur Tin-shi Tam; welcome by Tahira Hira, President's Office; Jeff Johnson, ISU Alumni Association; and Emily Jensen, GSB; sing-along led by ISU's Shy of a Dozen; illumination of campus lights; carillon concert; steps of Curtiss Hall.
• 5-7 p.m., Open house, Farm House Museum, decorated for the holidays in Victorian style, refreshments.
• 5-7 p.m., Empty Bowl Project, purchase a bowl made by a local artist at this soup supper and help support local food pantries, Cardinal Room, MU.
• 5-7 p.m., Book signing, The Horizontal World: Growing Up Wild in the Middle of Nowhere, Deb Marquart, ISU English, UBS, MU.
• 5-7 p.m., Give Some Warmth Project, donate coats, gloves, hats, scarves for area shelters through Dec. 1; collection boxes in MU and around campus.
• 5-8 p.m, Snow Glow Bowling, free, The Underground, MU.
• 5:30-7 p.m., Campanile tours and chocolate kisses.
• 5:45 p.m., Cookie decorating and hot cocoa, while supplies last, provided by ISU Dining, Commons, MU.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Global Stage performances, free, Great Hall, MU.
• 10 p.m., Holiday show, Grandma Mojo's student comedy troupe, $1, Maintenance Shop, MU.

Thursday, November 30

• 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Poinsettia sale, see Nov. 29.
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Summer sausage and cheese sale, see Nov. 29.
• Noon-1 p.m., CD signing by Simon Estes, UBS, MU.
• 5-8 p.m., Outdoor festival, juggling club demonstration, free s'mores and hot cocoa, paintball club tournament for ISU students, Southwest Sports Complex.
• 8 p.m., Anime festival, Howl's Moving Castle, free admission and popcorn, Pioneer Room, MU.
• 8 p.m., Concert, Bound Stems, with Rahim, *$7, Maintenance Shop, MU.

Friday, December 1

• 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Summer sausage and cheese sale, see Nov. 29.
• 8 p.m., Anime festival, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, free admission and popcorn, Pioneer Room, MU.
• 9 p.m., Concert, The Wood Brothers and Seth Walker, blues-folk-rock, *$12, Maintenance Shop, MU.
• 10 p.m.-midnight, Skating at Ames/ISU Ice Arena for ISU students.