81st annual Middlebury College Winter Carnival on Feb. 26-28 adopts "Road Trip" theme
MIDDLEBURY, Vt.-With “Road Trip” as its theme, the 81st annual Middlebury College Winter Carnival, the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the country, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26-Saturday, Feb. 28. The public is invited to attend fireworks, a cultural gala, an ice show and ski competitions.
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, a fireworks display will burst into the skies over the College’s Center for the Arts (CFA). Observers may enjoy hot chocolate and view the fireworks from the CFA’s parking lot or terrace, which is accessible via Porter Field Road, off South Main Street (Route 30).
Just after the fireworks, from 7:15-9:30 p.m., a cultural gala with a musical theme, “Moonlight in Manhattan,” will provide activities for all ages in the CFA, where light refreshments will be available. Celebrating the “City That Never Sleeps,” the Vermont Jazz Ensemble will perform throughout the evening in the Concert Hall and Middlebury College Twilight Artist-in-Residence François Clemmons will sing Broadway show tunes from 7:15-8 p.m. in the Dance Theatre. The G.T. Breakers, a Middlebury College break dancing group led by senior Morgan Alexander Jones, will perform and offer break dancing lessons to kids from 7:45-9 p.m. in Room 232. From 7:15-9:15 p.m., Big Apple fans of all ages are welcome to watch the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” in Room 221, where popcorn will be served. The Middlebury College Museum of Art will be open to the public from 7-9 p.m.
The Winter Carnival Ice Show will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 28, at 12 p.m. in Kenyon Arena on South Main Street (Route 30). Titled “MIDDle of the Road,” the show will feature three special guest skaters; the Middlebury Figure Skating Club, whose members include children and adults; and Middlebury College student, staff and faculty skaters.
Solo guest skater Jonathan Hayward is a two-time United States Junior National Medalist, three-time Regional Champion, five-time Regional Medalist, and the 1999 State Games of North Carolina Male Athlete of the Year. While still actively pursuing his aspirations of representing the United States in the Winter Olympic Games, he is also a part-time skating coach and a student at the University of Vermont, where he is pursuing a degree in physical therapy.
Performing as a pair, Hilary Gibbons and Justin Pekarek will also appear as guest skaters at the Winter Carnival Ice Show. In 2004, they placed seventh at the State Farm U.S. Championship. In 2003, they placed third at the Karl Schafer Memorial competition, ninth at the State Farm U.S. Championship, and first at the Midwestern Sectional competition. Gibbons and Pekarek are based at The Skating Club of Boston.
Some of the finest collegiate skiers will compete at the carnival, where the Nordic and alpine races are regional qualifying events for the NCAA. Competitions will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl in Hancock and the Rikert Ski Touring Center in Ripton. The visiting teams include those from Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Dartmouth, Harvard, St. Lawrence, St. Michael’s, University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont and Williams. Pending qualification, individuals on teams from the following schools may compete: Boston College, Plymouth, Northern Michigan University, Smith, St. Anselm, Clarkson, M.I.T. and the University of Massachusetts. There will be an outdoor barbecue at the Snow Bowl on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
Admission to the fireworks, cultural gala and ski events are free. Tickets for the ice show are $5 for adults, and $3 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door. The outdoor barbecue at the Snow Bowl is $5.50 per person. For more information, contact the Middlebury College Center for Campus Activities at 802-443-3100.
To follow is a listing of events:
Middlebury College Winter Carnival Events Calendar Listings:
Cultural and Entertainment Events:
Thursday, Feb. 26
7 p.m. Middlebury College Center for the Arts parking lot and terrace, Route 30
Fireworks
Free admission
7:15-9:30 p.m., Middlebury College Center for the Arts, Route 30
“Moonlight in Manhattan” Cultural Gala: The Vermont Jazz Ensemble will perform throughout the evening in the Concert Hall; Middlebury College Twilight Artist-in-Residence François Clemmons will sing Broadway show tunes from 7:15-8 p.m. in the Dance Theatre; and the Middlebury College student break dancing group the G.T. Breakers will perform and offer break dancing lessons to kids from 7:45-9 p.m. in Room 232. From 7:15-9:15 p.m., the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” will be shown in Room 221, where popcorn will be served. The Middlebury College Museum of Art will be open to the public from 7-9 p.m. Light refreshments will be available.
Free admission
Friday, Feb. 27
7 p.m., Kenyon Arena, Middlebury College, Route 30
“MIDDle of the Road” Ice Show
Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door.
Saturday, Feb. 28
12 p.m., Kenyon Arena, Middlebury College, Route 30
“MIDDle of the Road” Ice Show
Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door.
Ski Events:
Free admission to ski events. Outdoor barbecue on Snow Bowl deck at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 28, $5.50 per person.
Friday, Feb. 27
Alpine Events, Middlebury College Snow Bowl, Hancock, Route 125
9:30 a.m. Men’s Slalom - First Run
Followed by Women’s Slalom - First Run
12:30 p.m. Men’s Slalom - Second Run
Followed by Women’s Slalom - Second Run
Nordic Events, Rikert Ski Touring Center, Ripton, Route 125
10 a.m. Men’s 10K Freestyle
11:15 a.m. Women’s 5K Freestyle
Saturday, Feb. 28
Alpine Events, Middlebury College Snow Bowl, Hancock, Route 125
9:30 a.m. Women’s Giant Slalom - First Run
Followed by Men’s Giant Slalom - First Run
11:30 a.m. Outdoor barbecue on Snow Bowl deck, $5.50 per person
12:30 p.m. Women’s Giant Slalom - Second Run
Followed by Men’s Giant Slalom - Second Run
Nordic Events, Rikert Ski Touring Center, Ripton, Route 125
10 a.m. Women’s 15K Mass Start Freestyle
11:30 a.m. Men’s 20K Mass Start Freestyle
For more information, contact the Middlebury College Center for Campus Activities at 802-443-3100.
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