Busy UMaine Winter Carnival Schedule Announced

Contact: EJ Roach, 581-1736

ORONO — Campus Activities & Student Engagement at the University of Maine is taking full advantage of this robust winter with an exciting, fun-filled and action-packed Winter Carnival Feb. 4-12, with snow sculptures, ski and snowshoe races, warming fires, bands, food, a winter ball and fireworks, among other activities.

Highlights of the week include an ice-carving demonstration Friday, Feb. 4, and a slide show and discussion by UMaine alum and former Maine Bound instructor Dave Anderson, now an author, photographer and international mountaineering authority Friday evening. Also planned are a talent show, Greek Olympics, free skating on a Mall skating rink, and on Saturday, Feb. 12, a polar dip on the Mall, a pizza challenge, a snowman contest and fireworks.

A the end of the Mall, near Fogler Library, from 2-3 p.m., students, faculty and staff will attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most snowmen made in one hour. Campus Activities has submitted an application and has received a claim number and packet explaining how to document and record the attempt. The area will be roped off until this time to keep the snow in usable condition. The area will be videotaped during this time to confirm the record attempt. Contact EJ Roach at 581-1736 for details.

All events are free and open to the public.

The schedule for the week follows:

Friday February 4th
Ice Carving Demonstration
Mall Entrance of Memorial Union, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A professional ice carver will demonstrate his skill in the area between the Memorial Union and the North Pod of the Marketplace. The carver will use two to three 300-pound blocks to carve a UMaine black bear. Free hot chocolate and soup will be handed out, with flyers for the week’s events.

Adventure Speaker: Dave Anderson
DPC 100 at 7:30 p.m.
MaineBound is hosting alum Dave Anderson to present a slide show and speak about his mountaineering experiences since his time here at UMaine.

Saturday February 5th
Winter Team Triathlon
12 p.m., Mall

Sunday February 6th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 12-8 p.m.
In collaboration with Campus Recreation and Facilities Management, an ice skating rink has been built for students to use throughout the week. Student groups will take turns selling hot chocolate and coffee. Ice skates will be available to rent, free of charge, but skaters are encouraged to bring their own.

Monday February 7th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 8-10 p.m.

Broomball Intramurals
Mall skating rink, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Tuesday February 8th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 8-10 p.m.

Broomball Intramurals
Mall skating rink, 4-8 p.m.

Showing of “Happy Feet”
Tent on the Mall (heated), 6- 8 p.m.
With many events taking place on the mall, heated tents will be used to host some events in and create a warm place for students to take a break and warm up during other events on the mall. The 30×90- foot tent will be heated and lighted.

Wednesday February 9th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 8-10 p.m.

Broomball Intramurals
Mall skating rink, 4-8 p.m.

Quinzee Building Demo
Mall, 3 p.m.

Thursday February 10th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 8-10 p.m.

Talent Show
CCA, 7-10:30 p.m.
UMaine has some very creative students on campus who like to strut their stuff, and the vibrant Greek community has become the leaders in showing off talent. This year the Greeks decided to host a talent show for winter carnival — a guaranteed hit.

Friday February 11th
Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & 8-10 p.m.

Greek Olympics
Lengyel Field, 4-6 p.m.

Broomball Intramurals
Mall skating rink, 6-8 p.m.

Saturday February 12th
Greek Polar Bear Dip
Near ice rink and warming tent, 10 a.m-1 p.m.
Fraternities and Sororities will hold their annual Polar Bear Dip to benefit the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club. Participants will donate money and take a dip in the inflatable pool.

Free Skate
Mall skating rink, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Live Music
Lord Hall parking lot, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
A handful of local bands will play on a heated stage.

Pizza Challenge
Mall (tent), 12-5 p.m.
Students will have an opportunity to taste and vote for the area’s best local pizza.

Winter Rex Games
Mall, 12-5 p.m.
Campus Recreation will hold its Winter Rex Games, modeled after the Winter X Games. Participants can compete in several events: rail jam., XC ski race and a snowshoe race. Winners will receive a medal at an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. A regional band will play one set at 5 p.m. to close out this part of the day.

Snow Sculpture Contest
Mall, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Students and student groups will compete in a snow sculpture contest throughout the day. Teams may choose to use one of the many “snow molds” created for the event or create their own display from snow on the mall.

Warming Fires
Self-contained fire pits off the ground on the Mall, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

World Record Attempt: Most Snowmen Made in One Hour
Near library, end of the mall, 2-3 p.m. (Participant registration begins at 12 p.m.)
Students, faculty and staff will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most snowmen made in one hour. Campus Activities has submitted and received an application and claim number, with a packet explaining how to document and record the attempt. The area will be roped off until this time to keep the snow in usable condition. The area will be videotaped during this time to confirm our record attempt.

Fireworks Display
Practice soccer field, 5:45-6 p.m.
Shortly after the sun sets, the sky will light up with a spectacular fireworks display. Everyone is invited. Fireworks will be launched from behind the football stadium and visible from a number of different locations on campus. 48 lucky students will be able to view the show from the president’s skybox at the football stadium. Snow will be removed from the stadium seats for all to sit and watch. Hot chocolate will be provided for this event.

Snow Ball
Memorial Union atrium, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Following the men’s hockey game, students can wrap up the day with a dance in the atrium of the Memorial Union. Snow will literally be moved “inside” and a fake snow machine will add to the atmosphere. Students can dance at the “ski lodge” event and enjoy free food.