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
