Dec. 1, 2011

Winterfest

Both the young and young-at-heart can create a flurry of crafts at the MU Workspace (5-9 p.m.) during WinterFest 2011 on Dec. 2. Photo by Bob Elbert.

Celebrate winter during WinterFest 2011

by Paula Van Brocklin

It's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like winter, the perfect backdrop for WinterFest 2011 on Friday, Dec. 2. So bundle up, grab the family and head to campus for a blizzard of fun. Most events are free, with a fair share indoors if there is too much chill in the air.

This year's celebration will look similar to those of years past, with one exception: there will be no illumination ceremony. Student organizers nixed the event this year due to low attendance the past few years. However, a large fir tree east of Beardshear Hall still is illuminated.

One addition to the WinterFest lineup this year is a free 9 p.m. performance by hypnotist Al Snyder in the MU Great Hall.

"Students always have responded very well to these shows," said B.J. Brugman, president of WinterFest. "We anticipate a very large crowd in the Great Hall Friday night."

There are plenty of other events to put you in the winter spirit as well. Here's a look at what's happening during WinterFest 2011.

WinterFest 2011, Dec. 2 (All events are free unless noted)

  • 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Open house at the University Book Store (UBS), events and specials throughout the store
  • 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., ISU Block and Bridle Club cheese and sausage sale, outside UBS entrance, $5-$20
  • 10 a.m.-4 p.m., ISU Horticulture Club poinsettia sale, outside UBS entrance, $7-$30
  • noon-8 p.m., Art Mart, MU Campanile Room, local artists craft sale (pottery, prints, jewelry and more), most items $8-$20.
  • 3-6 p.m., Open house at The Knoll, hot chocolate, hosted by Kathy Geoffroy
  • 4-5:45 p.m., Registration for Andy Albright Jingle Jog 5K, MU South Ballroom and Sun Room, 6 p.m. start, $20 includes T-shirt and jingle bells for your shoes, proceeds support a memorial scholarship in honor of Andy Albright
  • 5 p.m.-while supplies last, Snowflake crafts, Multicultural Center
  • 5-7 p.m., Empty Bowl Project, MU Cardinal Room, choose (and keep) a handcrafted bowl and fill it with chili or vegetable soup, $10 ($6 youth; $8 students), bring a nonperishable food item for $1 discount, food donations benefit Mid-Iowa Community Action, funds raised benefit Oxfam America
  • 5-7 p.m., Campanile tours and carillon music, ISU carillonneur Tin-Shi Tam, campanile, Hershey Kisses will enhance the "campaniling" experience
  • 5-8 p.m., Seasonal beverage samples, MU Market and Café
  • 5-9 p.m., Veishea merchandise fire sale, MU main lounge, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags and more at discounted prices
  • 5-9 p.m., Winter crafts, MU Workspace, create reindeer hats and ornaments
  • 6 p.m.-while supplies last, Cookie decorating and hot chocolate, MU Commons
  • 6-8 p.m., Farm House Museum open house, "Greenery Galore: An 1880s Farm House Christmas" exhibition and hot beverages
  • 6:30-9:30 p.m., Carriage rides, pick up on the north side of MU with an optional stop at the Farm House Museum
  • 7 p.m.-while supplies last, Photo snow globe crafts, Multicultural Center
  • 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Cyclone Cinema, 30 Minutes or Less, 101 Carver
  • 7-11 p.m., Bingo, MU Sun Room
  • 8-10 p.m., Snowball dodgeball, Lied Center, register online
  • 9 p.m., Hypnotist Al Snyder, MU Great Hall
  • 9 p.m., Jeremy Messersmith, MU Maintenance Shop, $8 ($6 students), $2 increase day of show, tickets available at the M-Shop ticket office, 4-8349
  • Midnight-2 a.m., Ice skating, Ames/ISU Ice Arena