Winter Carnival 2009 adds fun and celebration to long winter season

Kelly Homan Rodoski
(315) 443-3784

Yes, it has been a long, cold and snowy winter in Syracuse. Syracuse University Winter Carnival 2009, Wednesday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, March 1, will make you glad that spring has not arrived just yet.

The festivities begin on Feb. 25 with the Winter Carnival Kickoff at 9 a.m. at the corner of Comstock and Euclid avenues, where participants can ward away the winter chill with free hot chocolate. Events later that day include a winter-themed dinner in all campus dining halls, including the Goldstein Student Center. Woo Hoo and Phi Beta Sigma’s Comedy Club Night, featuring Comedy Central’s Michelle Buteau, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Underground of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center; tickets for the show are currently available at the Schine Box Office.

Winter Carnival Days-featuring a collection for the Westcott Community Center service project, hot chocolate, cookies, arts and crafts and entertainment-will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Feb. 26 and 27 in the atrium of the Schine Student Center and 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Goldstein Student Center on South Campus. Members of the University community will also have the opportunity to make monetary donations or volunteer commitments to benefit the Westcott Community Center.

The annual Chili Cook-off, showcasing the culinary talents of faculty, staff and students, will be held on Feb. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the patio of Huntington Beard Crouse Hall. Members of the University community are invited to stop by for free chili tasting.

A number of athletic competitions will take place throughout the festival, including the Orange Relay Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. on the Quad; broom ball and human bowling Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus, followed by Open Skate Night; and the Human Dog Sled Race on Feb. 28 at noon in Walnut Park.

Cultural performances will also be a part of Winter Carnival 2009. DanceWorks Annual Show will be held Feb. 26-28 at 8 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium; tickets are currently available at the Schine Box Office. On March 1, Starving Artists will present Smokey Joe’s Café at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium; tickets are currently available at the Schine Box Office.

Other scheduled events include Game Night, co-sponsored by ONL, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and MEISA, Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m. in Rooms 201A, B and C of the Goldstein Student Center; Tennity Glow-in-the-Dark Skate on Feb. 28 from 9 p.m.-midnight at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion (free hot chocolate and cookies will be served); the Winter Carnival Biggest Fan competition at the SU vs. Cincinnati men’s basketball game on March 1 at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome; and the Student Athletes Across Boards Soiree on March 1 at 7 p.m. in the Schine Student Center Underground. Tickets are currently available at the Schine Box Office.

The tradition of Winter Carnival at SU dates back to 1930, says Sarah Ross, assistant director of the Office of Student Life. “Winter Carnival is intended to break the monotony of the winter months,” she says.

This year, new events such as a comedy night and game night have been added to the schedule, which includes traditional elements such as the competitions, cultural offerings and the chili cook-off. “Many of the events can be enjoyed in large or small groups or individually, and it’s always a great way to get out, meet other people and do something fun, usually for free or at little cost,” Ross says.

A complete schedule of Winter Carnival events can be found at http://studentlife.syr.edu.

Winter Carnival is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, with support from the Office of Alumni Relations, SU Food Services and the Department of Athletics.