Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWinter Carnival adds fun to campus traditions
By Bob Howe
Posted: 2/11/04, 2:43 AM EST Section: Feature
History has taught the organizers of the Winter Carnival one thing - there's no better way to raise students' spirits than ski jumping on South Campus.
In the early years of Syracuse University's Winter Carnival, events included ski competitions, ice skating obstacle courses and snow sculpture contests. But this year, SU is taking the party indoors.
"We tried to bring the theme of winter and snow inside this year," said Mary Ann Adamcek, graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs.
Winter Carnival 2004, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the Black Artist League, University Union and the Syracuse University Outing Club, will put a different spin on tradition while maintaining some of the best events of the past.
The carnival, which began in 1933, originally served as a holiday for students before final exams. Downhill, cross-country and slalom skiers competed on South Campus. The ski jump event was added later and quickly became a student favorite.
The snow sculpture competition, a hallmark of the early carnivals, was originally geared toward greek houses. Each year, the members of each house would work to design and build the most unique and impressive sculpture. As the competition evolved, it came to include campus organizations and residence halls.
And until the late 1960s, a new Carnival Queen was crowned each year - a tradition similar to the Homecoming Queen of today.
INSIDE TRACK
This year's activities focus more on indoor events, Adamcek said, because the carnival organizers noticed that students seemed less likely to participate in the frigid outdoor events.
Winter Carnival 2004 will include several film screenings, concerts and performances, as well as intramural athletic events and winter arts and crafts stations. With the hopes of adding to the celebration of the snow, the University Bookstore will sell merchandise bearing Warren Kimble's "Syracuse Snowman" painting on Friday and Saturday.
In the early years of Syracuse University's Winter Carnival, events included ski competitions, ice skating obstacle courses and snow sculpture contests. But this year, SU is taking the party indoors.
"We tried to bring the theme of winter and snow inside this year," said Mary Ann Adamcek, graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs.
Winter Carnival 2004, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the Black Artist League, University Union and the Syracuse University Outing Club, will put a different spin on tradition while maintaining some of the best events of the past.
The carnival, which began in 1933, originally served as a holiday for students before final exams. Downhill, cross-country and slalom skiers competed on South Campus. The ski jump event was added later and quickly became a student favorite.
The snow sculpture competition, a hallmark of the early carnivals, was originally geared toward greek houses. Each year, the members of each house would work to design and build the most unique and impressive sculpture. As the competition evolved, it came to include campus organizations and residence halls.
And until the late 1960s, a new Carnival Queen was crowned each year - a tradition similar to the Homecoming Queen of today.
INSIDE TRACK
This year's activities focus more on indoor events, Adamcek said, because the carnival organizers noticed that students seemed less likely to participate in the frigid outdoor events.
Winter Carnival 2004 will include several film screenings, concerts and performances, as well as intramural athletic events and winter arts and crafts stations. With the hopes of adding to the celebration of the snow, the University Bookstore will sell merchandise bearing Warren Kimble's "Syracuse Snowman" painting on Friday and Saturday.
