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Though the spirited excitement of major DU Athletics events are now over, students still have many on-campus activities to look forward to in the next few days, thanks to DUPB’s push to make Winter Carnival a week-long event on campus.
Beginning with the CC hockey game last Friday, which sold out in a mere couple of hours, DUPB hoped to amplify the winter white-out tradition with a splash of neon, inspired by the successfully rebooted Homecoming dance last quarter, and a lot of giveaways supported by the athletics department and the School Spirit Committee.
The festivities continued yesterday with the Art Festival supported by ISMS Art Club, complete with crafting tables, cooking decorating and an art show showcasing student art.
Today students can roast s’mores with campus favorite D.U.G.S. on Driscoll Green, and Wednesday continues the food theme with a chili cook-off in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management Tuscan Ballroom.
Pitting students, faculty, and staff against each other in a kitchen battle, viewers can root for their choice team and enjoy free tastings as well as a viewing of the movie “Cool Runnings” at 7 p.m.
With the DUPB film committee’s support, the free weekly Thursday-night movie in Sturm’s Davis Auditorium is “Happy Feet.”
In celebration of the carnival, hot chocolate and cider will be provided in addition to the regular popcorn.
Off-campus activities dominate the weekend as usual, with many students taking advantage of the discounted lift tickets and meal vouchers to Winter Park.
Friday showcases 3BLAU as the kickoff concert at 9 p.m. Saturday has a movie marathon during the day (for the non-skiers who still want to participate), neon disco ice-skating and the ever-popular night tubing.
DUPB also provides buses shuttling students up to the resorts and back for a reasonable price. With your student ID you can receive discounts on rentals, including ski and snowboard gear as well as snowshoes.
The newest addition to the Carnival is the scholarship program that actualizes DUPB’s mission to make all events inclusive, affordable and entertaining.
DUPB received donations from Student Life and appropriated some of their budget to facilitate the needs of college students strapped for cash. Over time they hope to incorporate donations from alumni and parents as well.
71 students applied and DUPB was able to give out 71 scholarship packages of varying amounts – of which 63 students accepted.
The primary aims of these new events and changes are to amplify school spirit even more, both on and off campus, and appeal to more students whether they are avid skiers or not.
As DUPB Traditions co-chair Sarah McEahern puts it, “[Winter Carnival] has been a DU tradition for over 50 years, so our goal is for everyone to be a part of it.”
With the plethora of fun activities planned, more students certainly will.
Winter Carnival runs today through Thursday on campus, and at Winter Park February 10-12
