It's Carnival Time! Come Out and Play

2009 Winter Carnival Human Bowling
2009 Winter Carnival Human Bowling

There’s no better time to go outside and play. Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival, sponsored by Blue Key, officially kicks off at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, with the All-Nighter, when students brave whatever the weather has to offer to sculpt their snow statues. Student groups entered in the month-long competition polish off the details on their elaborate creations; those in the one-night category work frantically to erect their entire statue before judging at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. The theme this year: “Games We Know Captured in Snow.”

Students have plenty of other games on tap as carnival heats up.

Curling

The old Calumet Drill House, located off of Red Jacket Drive in Calumet, is the venue for curling, that peculiar northern game in which 44-pound granite stones are slid across the ice and guided by broom-wielding sweepers. Matches are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, and 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31.

Ice bowling

One member of the team, sitting cross-legged on a plastic saucer sled, is flung by other team members across the ice in an effort to knock down as many pins as possible. It happens at Dee Stadium, in downtown Houghton, at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Ice fishing

The ice fishing contest starts bright and early at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, on Chassell Bay. Individuals and teams compete to reel in the biggest walleye and northern pike.

Skating races

Relay races begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in Dee Stadium.

Snow volleyball

It’s just like beach volleyball, except with snow, a bright orange ball and lots more clothes. Games start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30-31, and Friday, Feb. 5, outside the Student Development Complex.

Yooper sprint

These snowshoe races begin at 11 a.m. at the Student Development Complex on Saturday, Jan. 30, and Friday. Feb. 5.

Cross country skiing

Races start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Tech Trails.

Winter Carnival Queen Contest and Coronation

The eight finalists will perform the talent portion of the competition at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Rozsa Center, culminating with the crowning of the Winter Carnival Queen.

Beards competition

Early in December, contestants signed up in one of three categories: beards, goatees and sideburns. After two months of grueling effort, they will put their festooned faces before the judges at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in Fisher 135.

Stage Revue

Amateur theatrics, some family friendly, some less so, are on the stage at the Rozsa Center Thursday, Feb. 4, with performances at 6 and 10 p.m.

Tug-o-war

Students put their hearts, souls and body weight into this competition, which begins at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Student Development Complex practice fields.

Human dogsled races

The mushing begins at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, in the practice fields by the SDC. Woof.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding

The races take place on Friday, Feb. 5, at Mont Ripley. Skiing starts at noon, snowboarding at 3 p.m.

Torchlight Parade and fireworks

Skiers bearing torches cascade down the slopes of Mont Ripley on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 8:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m.

Awards Ceremony and Snow Ball

Student organizations earn points for multitudinous carnival activities and will be honored for their efforts at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, in Memorial Union Ballroom A. The Snow Ball, Winter Carnival’s final fling before classes resume Monday, Feb. 7, follows soon after.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.