“Winter is coming.”
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That’s the tagline for the HBO television series Game of Thrones, co-created by David Benioff ’92. It’s also the inspiration for Dartmouth’s 103rd Winter Carnival celebration: Carnival of Thrones.
Mandy Bowers ’14, in her third year as Carnival co-chair , says the theme “was the most popular submission by far, and I think students will love what we have planned.”
Amy Zhang ’17 won this year’s Winter Carnival poster competition. (Drawing by Amy Zhang ’17)This year’s snow sculpture on the Green will feature a 16-foot tall throne, which “feels massive when you’re standing on it,” says snow sculpture designer Ben Geithner ’16.
“The iron throne is the only solid iconic image in the TV series. I figured we could do a really great rendition of it. The dragon just had to be there too,” says Geithner.
The opening ceremonies of Winter Carnival begin at 7 p.m. on February 6 on the Green. During this event, President Phil Hanlon ’77 and Gail Gentes will welcome students, faculty, and community members, followed by the ski team’s torch lighting ceremony, a performance by the Dartmouth Cords, and the unveiling of the snow sculpture.
In addition to the opening ceremonies, students will have a three-day weekend to participate in events such as an ice sculpture competition, the iconic polar bear swim, and human dogsled races.
Students work on this year’s Winter Carnival snow sculpture on the Green. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00 )“I am most excited for the snow sculpture,” says Bowers, “but I love being involved in making this critical Dartmouth tradition come alive. It’s a great time of year.”
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit the Collis Center website.
