WinterFest packed with Friday fun

Knoll decorations

ISU First Lady Janet Leath prepares for the open house at the Knoll, part of Friday's WinterFest activities. Drop by the president's home between 3 and 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and tours of the first floor. Photo by Amy Vinchattle.

Winter has arrived just in time for Iowa State's annual WinterFest celebration. So put on a hat and some gloves, and enjoy an array of family-friendly wintertime activities on Friday, Dec. 6. Most WinterFest events are held in the Memorial Union and are free, unless indicated. A complete list of activities is online.

  • University Book Store holiday open house, (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS), events and specials throughout the store
  • Farm House Museum open house, (noon-4 p.m., Farm House Museum), sip hot cider while you experience a 1900s Christmas in Iowa State's first campus building
  • Art Mart, (noon-9 p.m., Dec. 5-6; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 7, MU Campanile Room), featuring glass, pottery, prints, jewelry and more, proceeds support sponsoring organizations and local artists
  • Open house at the Knoll, (3-5:30 p.m., Knoll), enjoy hot chocolate (using a time-tested recipe by former Iowa State first lady, Ellen Parks) and other refreshments with current first lady, Janet Leath
  • ISU Foresty Club Tree and wreath sale, (3-6 p.m., Dec. 6; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 7; noon-6 p.m., Dec. 8), trees are $25-$45; wreaths are $15-$25
  • Campanile tours and carillon music, (4-6 p.m., carillon), tour led by ISU carillonneur Tin Shi Tam, free Cyclone candy canes from members of the Student Alumni Leadership Council
  • Eats and treats, sample seasonal beverages (5-8 p.m., MU Market and Café), decorate cookies and drink hot chocolate (6 p.m., MU Commons), and enjoy the MU Food Court all day (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
  • Make and take crafts, (5-9 p.m., the Workspace), create a festive way to display your favorite photo using a wood block, paper and decoupage techniques
  • Bowling and billiards, (5-10 p.m., the Underground)
  • Card writing for Blank Children's Hospital, (6 p.m., Multicultural Center)
  • Crafts and snow globes, (6 p.m, Multicultural Center)
  • Andy Albright Jingle Jog 5K, (registration 4-5:45 p.m., MU Gallery/Pioneer Rooms; run begins at 6 p.m.), $20
  • Tree lighting ceremony, (6 p.m., inside Beardshear Hall, first floor; enter via the front entrance steps), features live music
  • Bingo, (6-10 p.m., MU Sun Room/South Ballroom)
  • Magician Norman Ng, (7 p.m., MU Great Hall), enjoy magic, comedy and audience participation
  • Karaoke, (7-10 p.m., Maintenance Shop)
  • Mentalist Brian Imbus, (9 p.m., MU Great Hall), witness mindreading and illusions
  • Ice skating, (11 p.m.-2 a.m., Ames/ISU Ice Arena), free for the first 400 participants; then $1