Tonight marks the beginning of Winter Carnival -- an annual Dartmouth tradition since 1911.
The theme for this year's carnival is "'Round the Girdled Earth They Roamed -- A Prehistoric Carnival," which is complemented by the snow sculpture of a giant stegosaurus on the Green.
Winter Carnival events will begin with the opening ceremonies this evening at 7 p.m. tonight on the Green.
"The opening ceremonies are the starting point on Thursday night," said Amy Henry '97, Winter Carnival co-chair.
The ceremonies will include a torch light parade of Dartmouth's winter athletic teams, followed by speeches by President Freedman and various athletic team captains, Henry said. The College will also present a fireworks display, she said.
Henry said all of the winter teams were invited to participate in the parade, but some teams will not be present because they will be out of town this weekend.
The carnival will last through Sunday and will include a variety of activities. While some events will be open only to Dartmouth students, other activities will be open to the public.
This Friday will be 99 cent ski day at the Dartmouth Skiway for all Dartmouth students. Men's and women's giant slalom races will also take place on both Friday and Saturday at the Skiway.
The Winter Carnival Formal will take place on Friday night in Collis. Across the street, in Spaulding Auditorium, Dartmouth's a cappella singing groups will perform with a cappella singing groups from Cornell and Skidmore at the annual Winter Whingding.
Carnival events planned for Saturday include a polar bear swim in Occom Pond, Psi Upsilon fraternity's annual keg jump and the judging of campus ice sculptures.
