Posted: 02/07/07

Coming out of hibernation
St. Michael's College holds the second annual Winter Carnival

Cameron Dexter | contributing writer
cdexter@smcvt.edu

St. Michael’s College will celebrate the second annual Winter Carnival this February in the face of frigid winter conditions. The tradition was brought back last winter after 20 years in hopes of breaking the St. Michael’s community out of winter-induced hibernation.

Due to a successful winter carnival in 2006, Student Association (S.A.) co-secretary of programming, Christine Hultgren, says she has high hopes for getting the St. Michael's community back into the winter spirit. She says she is aware that this year's winter conditions have been harsh and that often puts a damper on snow dependent events.  Yet, Hultgren says don’t be afraid to come outside, get loud, and have a good time. "I'll be there, wearing my hot pink snow pants,” she says.

"We know it's cold, but this is going to be fun and the more people that participate, the better it's going to be,” Hultgren says.

Getting rid of winter woes

This year the events will kick off on Friday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. with a comedy show by a three-man act called "Hot Dog Quality." Opening for the group will be senior musician, Andy Gill.

Following the festivities of Friday night, activities will start up again Saturday in the 300's field as popular events from last year such as flag football and broomball tournaments begin.

Senior Megan Audet plays in the snow and gets ready for the winter carnival. (Cameron Dexter, photo)

For athletes interested in competing this year's events sign-up sheets will be posted outside Alliot. Energetic fans are encouraged to come out, watch the action, and cheer on fellow peers as old rivalries from last year are hashed out on the field and ice.

Senior rugby player Rob Outtrim helped coordinate the broomball game last year and is in charge of it again this year. He says that last year the game yielded a great turnout and he recommends that everybody come out and watch this year.

"Its a great sport all around because not only is it fun to play, but it's sheer comedy to watch," Outtrim says. "People are laughing and falling all over the rink because they're wearing sneakers. It's crazy and hilarious."

New to the Winter Carnival this year is a snow sculpture contest which was added due to requests for more non-athletic events. Weather permitting, there will be a sledding hill in the 300s. The hill has already been started and will be ready in time for the carnival, as long as the weather stays cold.

Heating up the chilly events of the carnival will be an open mic night in Eddie's hosted by the Peace and Justice club. Warm refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to participate in the festivities.

The jib fest, hosted by the St. Michael’s Free Ride club was a highlight of the 2006 Winter Carnival. However, this year the club will be at a freestyle competition and will be unable to contribute. Michael Hayes, president of he Free Ride club, says he feels bad there was a conflict in the schedules and would have liked to hold another jib fest like the one held last year.

Hultgren says she hopes that this year's focus will be more on outdoor activities. She says that the emphasis is going to be more on the events during the day and hopes many St. Michael’s students will "come out and play.”

“People hibernate," Hultgren says. "I'm one of them, so we're hoping this will help get people excited about winter."

Fun without the sun

Last year, the decision was overruled to bring more security to campus and expectations for this year are no different. St. Michael's director of security, Peter Soons, says that at this point the staffing for the weekend will be normal.

"When we staff events it's based on the nature of the event" he says. "At this point there's nothing posted that says additional security is needed."

Hultgren says that the S.A allots the Winter Carnival approximately $5,000 which covers the comedians, food, and any ice rink upkeep that may be necessary.

In Novmber, the S.A. began brainstorming on ways of motivating St. Michael’s students in the winter time. The result was a group consensus to bring back the Winter Carnival. The Winter Carnival was also started in hopes of bringing students from all over campus together.

College winter carnivals are not uncommon in the area. Other schools such as the University of Vermont , the University of New Hampshire , and Middlebury College all hold similar events, annually and Hultgren hopes the same long-term tradition will be generated at St. Michael’s.

"The idea is to remind St. Michael's that winter is fun and should be celebrated," said Hultgren. "We know it's an important thing to do because we see other colleges trying to do the same thing."

The start of something special

Many students are looking forward to this St. Michael’s tradition, regardless of chilly winter conditions. Junior Ashley Chase says she had fun last year and she's excited about this year’s winter carnival.

"I'm looking forward to getting broom balled and I want to compete in the snow sculpture contest too," she says.

Senior Kevin Gray is also looking forward to the winter carnival and claims he plans on winning an event this year. He's not sure which one but says his winning tactics will include "having fun and playing hard."

Hultgren, who has done most of the planning for the event, added that the carnival is "all about appreciating winter."

“There are a lot of ways to do it,” she says. “The S.A. wants to help students remember that.”