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 Cafe 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.
