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This winter has been filled with cold temperatures, snow, ice and school cancellations and it is not over yet. It is often difficult to get hardened Mainers excited about winter but the University of Maine is trying with Winter Carnival 2001.
Winter Carnival began on Monday and will continue working to “Beat the Winter Blues” through Sunday, Feb. 18. The idea of a week long carnival is not a new idea to UMaine. Winter carnivals and festivities have been around in various forms throughout UMaine’s history as a way to get students excited about beginning a new semester, but the attempts were not always successful. Organizers of Winter Carnival 2001 hope that this year things will be different.
“Our goal is to get as much participation in Winter Carnival 2001 as possible and to re-engage the UMaine campus,” Lauri Sidelko, assistant director of Campus Activities and Events, said.
Clubs, organizations and departments are invited to sponsor an event of their choice during the week of Winter Carnival 2001.
Some of the major events for this week include a blood drive sponsored by volunteers in community efforts, a snow sculpture contest, sled races at Sigma Nu and a bonfire before Saturday night’s UMaine men’s hockey game. The University Bookstore will be offering discounts throughout the week and dining hall menus will cater to the Winter Carnival theme.
“This is meant to be a campus-wide event to connect students and get them involved,” Sidelko said.
Every event during Winter Carnival 2001 will have prizes to offer as well.
“We have about 200 total prizes to give to the students who participate, most of which were donated by area business,” Sidelko said.
A vendor fair will also be taking place in the Memorial Union today. Clubs and organizations will offer information about themselves and do fundraising.
It is not too late to get involved with Winter Carnival. Campus Activities and Events is encouraging students to sign up for this week’s festivities and to get excited about Winter Carnival 2001.
“We really want to re-energize campus spirit and pride in being a Black Bear,” Sidelko said.
Students can sign up to participate in events in the dining commons for the next two days. Flyers are posted throughout campus with detailed lists of this weekend’s events. They are also posted on the Web at http://calendar.umaine.edu. For more information or to get your organization involved in Winter Carnival 2001, contact Lauri Sidelko on FirstClass or stop by the Totman Lounge in the Memorial Union.
Bangor Daily News