Throughout this nearly snowless term, the Winter Carnival Council has been keeping a close eye on the weather radar maps.
鈥淥ur council chairs have been thrown some curve balls, but despite the odd weather they have worked tirelessly to make sure we have fun events, and we are moving right along,鈥 says Tiffany Des Cognets, the office manager for the Collis Center for Student Involvement. She works with the five student members of the Winter Carnival Council.
Things may be moving along a little better now that snow showers have been lightly carpeting the campus and temperatures are starting to drop. But weather-dependent activities are still subject to change. For a full list of events, and to check on updates,
This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淪euss on the Loose.鈥 It鈥檚 the fourth time Winter Carnival has honored the literary genius of Theodor Seuss Geisel 鈥25. , the Ted and Helen Geisel Third Century 天美影视 in the Humanities, says Winter Carnival was 鈥淭ed Geisel鈥檚 favorite event in the Dartmouth calendar. He would look forward to it as an inspiration for his cockamamie imagination as well as an occasion to demonstrate his deep sense of belonging to the place.鈥
Anna Miller 鈥16 designed the winning poster, which shows Seuss characters doing what they do best鈥攑laying together. The setting is Occom Pond, but the polar plunge that is held there each year may be cancelled or relocated. Hanover Parks and Recreation has nixed the Saturday afternoon pond party, and a shortage of snow could affect the human dogsled races. Would-be mushers are advised to check the website frequently for updates.
The Carnival鈥檚 Nordic ski races will move to the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont. Downhill events will be held Friday and Saturday at Dartmouth Skiway. On Saturday, lift tickets are 99 cents with a Dartmouth ID.
Whatever the weather, ice will appear on the Green鈥攈uge blocks of it, trucked in for the starting Friday morning.
While Winter Carnival is traditionally a time for enjoying the outdoors, there鈥檚 plenty to enjoy indoors, as well, including a variety of music:
- The Subtleties, Dartmouth鈥檚 all-women a capella group, will serenade the torch-lit opening ceremonies on Thursday, returning for the annual Whingding Saturday night in Spaulding Auditorium at the 天美影视kins Center for the Arts.
- , Dartmouth鈥檚 student jazz ensemble, will perform its 40th Winter Carnival concert in Spaulding; joined this year by Gregorio Uribe, a composer, arranger, singer, and accordionist from New York.
- Dartmouth music faculty members and students will give a in Rollins Chapel on Sunday.
Sports fans can root for .
- Men鈥檚 hockey faces Union on Friday and Rensselaer on Saturday.
- Men鈥檚 basketball meets Yale Friday and Brown Saturday.
- Men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 squash takes on Yale Friday.
Movie buffs have lots to watch, too, including the and a Seuss cartoon marathon. Friday and Saturday with late night breakfasts of the author鈥檚 concoction, green eggs and ham. Food and hot drinks will be served in several other spots throughout the weekend.
By then, meteorologists say, raising many hopes, carnival-goers will want steaming hot cocoa as they bundle up for winter鈥檚 return.