Warm up to winter fun at WinterFest 2012

Winterfest

Many paths will lead to the Memorial Union during WinterFest 2012, Nov. 26-30. Photo by Bob Elbert.

There still may be pumpkins on your porch, you haven't gorged yourself with Thanksgiving dinner yet, and no snow blankets the ground. But WinterFest 2012 is just around the corner.

WinterFest is a five-day event this year, Nov. 26-30, an extension from the one-day celebration the past few years. There are a variety of winter-themed activities planned each day of the week. So, get into the winter spirit and check out the fun.

Most events are held in the Memorial Union and are free, unless indicated. A list of WinterFest 2012 activities also is available online.

Monday, Nov. 26

  • Art Monday, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., University Book Store), imprinted pad holders and select backpacks are 20 percent off
, plus find deals on art supplies
  • Browsing Library used magazine sale, (8 a.m-8 p.m., MU Browsing Library), purchase magazines for 25 cents each
  • "Santa's Workshop," (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens), check out Santa's "green" workshop plus several other festive decorations, $8 ($4 for youth, free for ISU students)
  • Farm House Museum holiday exhibition, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House), enjoy hot cider and cookies

  • Give Some Warmth clothing drive, (all week, drop boxes throughout MU), donate your gently used winter clothing
  • Open House at The Knoll, (3-6 p.m., The Knoll), enjoy a cup of Knoll hot chocolate with Janet Leath
  • Snowball dodgeball, (6:30 p.m., Lied Center), registration begins at 6 p.m., limited to the first 16 teams of five people

​Tuesday, Nov. 27

  • Tech Tuesday, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS), select laptops, iPods, headphones and more on sale

  • Browsing Library used magazine sale, (8 a.m-8 p.m., MU Browsing Library), purchase magazines for 25 cents each
  • "Santa's Workshop," (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens), check out Santa's "green" workshop plus several other festive decorations, $8 ($4 for youth, free for ISU students)
  • Farm House Museum holiday exhibition, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House), enjoy hot cider and cookies
  • Winter crafting fun, (5-9 p.m., MU Pine Room),
 winter Pinterest crafting

  • Open mic night, (8 p.m., MU Maintenance Shop)

Wednesday, Nov. 28

  • Fan Wednesday, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS),
 select clothing, ISU trinkets, posters and frames are on sale

  • Browsing Library used magazine sale, (8 a.m-8 p.m., MU Browsing Library), purchase magazines for 25 cents each
  • "Santa's Workshop," (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens), check out Santa's "green" workshop plus several other festive decorations, $8 ($4 for youth, free for ISU students)
  • Farm House Museum holiday exhibition, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House), enjoy hot cider and cookies
  • Grandma Mojo's Moonshine Revival Comedy, (10 p.m., MU M-Shop), 
enjoy these performers as they improv around a wintry theme

  • Ice skating, (11:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Ames/ISU Ice Arena), bring or rent skates, also drop off gently used winter clothing for the Give Some Warmth drive 


Thursday, Nov. 29

  • Kids Thursday, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS), 30 percent off children's clothing and 30 to 50 percent off select toys and games

  • Browsing Library used magazine sale, (8 a.m-8 p.m., MU Browsing Library), purchase magazines for 25 cents each
  • "Santa's Workshop," (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens), check out Santa's "green" workshop plus several other festive decorations, $8 ($4 for youth, free for ISU students)
  • Farm House Museum holiday exhibition, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House), enjoy hot cider and cookies
  • Art Mart, (noon-6 p.m., MU Campanile Room), glass, pottery, prints, jewelry and more, proceeds support sponsoring organizations and local artists
  • Cards and crafts for a cause, (5-9 p.m., MU Pine Room and MU Commons), 
make cards, ornaments, origami and more for various causes

  • Cyclone Cinema: The Campaign, (7 and 10 p.m., Carver 101)

  • "What Matters To Me and Why," (8 p.m., MU Sun Room), an introspective lecture program featuring ISU students


Friday, Nov. 30

  • University Book Store holiday open house, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS), events and specials throughout the store and online
  • Browsing Library used magazine sale, (8 a.m-5 p.m., MU Browsing Library), purchase magazines for 25 cents each
  • Block and Bridal cheese and sausage sale, (time TBD, UBS), prices range from $7.50 to $21
  • "Santa's Workshop," (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens), check out Santa's "green" workshop plus several other festive decorations, $8 ($4 for youth, free for ISU students)
  • Horticulture Club poinsettia sale, (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., UBS), prices range from $7 to $30
  • Farm House Museum holiday exhibition, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House), enjoy hot cider and cookies
  • Art Mart, (noon-9 p.m., MU Campanile Room), glass, pottery, prints, jewelry and more. Proceeds support sponsoring organizations and local artists. Sale continues on Saturday, Dec. 1 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)


  • Christmas tree and wreath sale, (3-8 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking lot), prices range from $15 to $45
  • Campanile tours and carillon music, (4-6 p.m., campanile), 
tour the campanile with university carillonneur Tin Shi Tam, free candy canes from the Student Alumni Leadership Council
  • Feed the Need chili supper, (5-7 p.m., MU Cardinal Room),
 help raise hunger/starvation awareness and donate to the cause, $8 for adults and $6 for students
  • Andy Albright Jingle Jog, (register 4-5:45 p.m. or online, MU Gallery and Pioneer Room),
 run a 5K in memory of Freshmen Council member Andy Albright, proceeds support a memorial scholarship in his name, $20
  • Veishea and Dance Marathon merchandise deals, (5-9 p.m., MU Main Lounge), purchase Veishea T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and bags, and Dance Marathon RayGun shirts at low prices
  • Winter crafts, (5-9 p.m., Workspace)

  • Cookie decorating, (6 p.m., MU Commons)
  • Photo snow globes, (7 p.m., Multicultural Center)
  • Bingo, (7-11 p.m., MU Sun Room)

  • Bowling and billiards, (7 p.m.-midnight, Underground)

  • Cyclone Cinema: The Campaign, (7 and 10 p.m., Carver 101)

  • Hypnotist Brian Imbus, (8 p.m. and 10 p.m., MU Great Hall)

  • The Daily Show Live: Indecision Tour 2012, (8 p.m., Stephens Auditorium), more information
  • Live Music: Sea Wolf, (9 p.m., MU M-Shop), $10 (free for ISU students)
  • Snowball Fiesta, (10 p.m.-1 a.m., MU Cardinal Room), wear your ugliest sweater to this dance
  • Ice skating, (midnight-2 a.m., Ames/ISU Ice Arena), bring or rent skates, also drop off gently used winter clothing for the Give Some Warmth drive