Jennifer Freise ’12 created this year’s Winter Carnival poster. (courtesy Collis Center)
The 101st Winter Carnival, “Carnival in Candyland: The Sweetest Carnival Ever,” will be held February 9 through 12. The four-day event includes a mix of lighthearted outdoor activities and athletic contests such as the Polar Bear Swim, the family-friendly Occom Pond Party, and the Division I downhill races at the Dartmouth Skiway. View a full schedule of events (1.7 mb PDF). February 8 update: The Carni Classic, Human Dogsled Race, and Snow Sculpture Contest have been cancelled due to lack of snow. The Occom Pond Party, Polar Bear Swim, and other Carnival events will be held as scheduled.
New this year is a formal sculpture contest on the Green, open to the entire Dartmouth community. There will be a $500 prize, plus a trophy, for the best sculpture representing this year’s Carnival theme. Any College-recognized organization, including living units, athletic teams, alumni groups, and academic and administrative departments can participate.
Mandy Bowers ’14 of Williamsburg, Va., co-chair of Carnival’s organizing committee, says, “I joined Carnival Council to get involved in what I believe to be Dartmouth’s greatest tradition—and one that certainly would not be possible at a college in Virginia!”
Highlights of the 2012 Winter Carnival Schedule Thursday, February 9
- Cancelled: Carni Classic, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. (Public invited to observe; Dartmouth Golf Course across from Occom Pond)
- Opening Ceremonies, 7 p.m. (Public invited; the Green)
Friday, February 10
- 99 Cent Ski Day, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (For students; Dartmouth Skiway)
- Polar Bear Swim, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (Public invited to observe; Occom Pond)
- Carnival Ball, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. (For students)
- Dartmouth Winter Carnival Cross Country Races, 10 a.m. (Public invited; held at either Oak Hill or Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vt., depending on conditions)
- Dartmouth Winter Carnival Alpine Races, 9 a.m. (Public invited; Dartmouth Skiway)
- Cancelled: Announcement of Sculpture Contest Winners, 5 p.m. (Public invited; the Green)
Athletic competitions have been an integral part of Carnival since its founding in 1911, when students raced each other on snowshoes. Today, Dartmouth’s first-class ski team (alpine and cross country) competes against 11 other colleges and universities in the Northeast during the Winter Carnival. Dartmouth won the 2007 NCAA national championship in skiing. (photo: Joseph Mehling ’69)
Saturday, February 11
- Occom Pond Party, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Public invited; Occom Pond)
- Cancelled: Human Dog Sled Race, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Public invited to observe; the Green)
- Dartmouth Winter Carnival Cross Country Races, 10 a.m. (Public invited; held at either Oak Hill or Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vt., depending on conditions)
- Dartmouth Winter Carnival Alpine Races, 9 a.m. (Public invited; Dartmouth Skiway)
- Baker Library Bell Tower Tours, 12 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (Public invited; Baker Library)
Sunday, February 12
- Baker Library Bell Tower Tours, 12 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (Public invited; Baker Library)
Last year’s Winter Carnival was the 100th in the College’s history (see slideshow below). Carnival was founded in 1911 by the Dartmouth Outing Club, whose motto has always been “Get Out.”