Although Philadelphia has yet to see snow this winter, the Social Planning and Events Committee is bringing the holiday cheer to campus.
Starting at 11 a.m. today, students are welcome to attend SPEC’s Special Events Committee’s annual Winterfest event at Wynn Commons. Guests will ice skate on synthetic ice, enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee and roast marshmallows for s’mores, according to co-director of SPEC’s Special Events and College senior Laura Loesch-Quintin.
“The Winterfest is a great way to get people excited about the holidays,” Loesch-Quintin said. “We want to create a fun spirit on campus in the midst of finals and stressful times.” She added that the committee expects approximately 800 students to attend.
More students might even stop by during their lunch breaks for a quick coffee or spin around the ice, according to committee co-director and College sophomore Mariama Kabia.
Many of SPEC’s “Fest” events have become monotonous over the years, said Loesch-Quintin said, so this year the Special Events Committee wanted to “change it up.” The committee decided to take advantage of its flexible regulations to be creative and try new things.
This year, the event is outside on College Green, for instance, instead of in Houston Hall. Artificial Ice Events, a national company, will provide the synthetic ice rink and skates will be available for students to use.
The committee will also offer coffee from the HubBub Coffee truck, one of Locust Walk’s newest vendors, at the event.
The company founder, 2005 Wharton graduate Andrew Crockett, expressed excitement to “reconnect with the University and its students” and to participate in a SPEC event. The publicity the event will bring him won’t hurt, either.
SPEC Secretary and College senior Eileen McKeown said she can’t wait.
“Winterfest is always fun because it surrounds the holiday time when most students would be home celebrating with family,” she said. “But SPEC provides a nice tradition for students to be a part of on-campus with their friends during the holidays.”
Co-director and College senior Sarah Sanchez said the committee wants to make its events more visible, and Winterfest is a great example of efforts to “get their name out there.”
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