Inside Iowa State

Nov. 16, 2007

WinterFest 2007 offers frigid fun

by Paula Van Brocklin

There's no denying it; winter is fast approaching. But instead of cowering indoors, why not embrace it? Organizers of WinterFest 2007 are hoping the Iowa State and Ames communities will do just that on Nov. 28.

This year's festival will last only one day, after an attempt at a three-day event last year.

"WinterFest was not well attended last year due to the cold weather," said Mary Fuller, student chair of WinterFest 2007 and a senior in agricultural communications. "So, we scaled it back to one day."

Traditional favorites will still anchor the festival, including the illumination of campus, carriage rides, cookie decorating and campanile tours. Outdoor activities begin at 4 p.m.

There also will be opportunities for holiday shopping. The University Book Store will hold its winter open house from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., with discounts on merchandise throughout the store. Shoppers may purchase poinsettias from the Horticulture Club (9 a.m.-7 p.m.), and summer sausage and cheese from the Block and Bridle Club (11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.) outside the UBS.

If one-of-a-kind gifts are on your list, visit Art Mart in the Memorial Union Maintenance Shop from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 28. It will feature arts and crafts from local artisans, including pottery, jewelry, scarves, blown glass and prints.

New to WinterFest 2007 is the Andy Albright Jingle Jog, a scholarship fund-raiser sponsored by Freshman Council. Albright was a member of the council who died in a 2005 car accident. The 5K fun run/walk begins at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Curtiss Hall, and will route throughout campus. Registration is $10, payable at the event or in advance. Visit www.fc.stuorg.iastate.edu for more information and a registration form.

Also new this year is an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Knoll, hosted by Kathy Geoffroy. Visitors can tour the home and enjoy hot chocolate.

WinterFest is open to the public with something for everyone, Fuller said.

"There are cookies for kids, and stuff for college students," she said. "We just hope for some nice weather so people will come out and enjoy campus for the night."

WinterFest 2007 Schedule

(all events are free unless indicated)

Wednesday, Nov. 28

• All day, Give Some Warmth, donate warm clothes for those in need, campus drop boxes at MU front desk, Carver, Curtiss, Gerdin, Lagomarcino, Marston, Parks Library, Beardshear, Design, Kildee, Ross, UDCC, Vet Med, Greek houses and residence halls.
• All day, Stock the Pantry, bring non-perishable food items for Mid-Iowa Community Action, MU main desk.
• 7:45 a.m.-7 p.m., Open house, University Book Store, discounts and giveaways all day; art demonstrations (1 p.m.); Apple iPod Touch demonstration (5:30 p.m.); author appearances, pictures with Cy, autographs with ISU women's basketball team (6 p.m.); MU.
• 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Poinsettia sale, Horticulture Club, UBS lobby, MU.
• 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Art Mart, pottery, jewelry, scarves, prints, blown glass and more from the Workspace, University Print Club and Gaffers' Guild (also Nov. 27, noon-5 p.m.), Maintenance Shop, MU.
• 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Summer sausage and cheese sale, Block and Bridle Club, UBS lobby, MU.
• 4-7 p.m., Open house at the Knoll, hosted by Kathy Geoffroy.
• 4-7:30 p.m., Carriage rides, central campus, pick-up at north side of MU.
• 5 p.m., Bells of Iowa State, performed by Tin-Shi Tam, campanile, central campus.
• 5:15 p.m., Illumination ceremony, Brian Phillips, president of GSB; Tahira Hira, executive assistant to the president; and Ann Campbell, Ames mayor; campus sing-along, carillon concert, steps of Curtiss.
• 5:30-7 p.m., Andy Albright Jingle Jog 5K, steps of Curtiss.
• 5:30-7 p.m., Cookie decorating and hot cocoa, first floor commons, MU.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m., Campanile tours, central campus.
• 5:30-9:30 p.m., Crafts, create magnet clips, mini gift boxes, frames and beaded bracelets, the Workspace, MU.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Global Stage performances, Campanile Room, MU.

WinterFest 2007 features a day of activities and events, with something for everyone to enjoy.