With the completion of this passed weekend the verdict is in: Winter Carnival is the undisputed best weekend at Dartmouth. On second thought, that is an understatement. Dartmouth's Winter Carnival is perhaps one of the best college events nationwide. From the opening ceremony's performance through the ski races, famous posters and ubiquitous wild Greek parties, Winter Carnival weekend was a time of endless fun and celebration in the midst of a snowy Neverland.
The snow sculpture was the most massive and impressive snow formation that I have ever seen. Growing up in Connecticut, I was experienced with the generic snowman and snow fort. I had seen pictures of last year's Cat in the Hat sculpture and others in Dartmouth's history, but I am still truly amazed at this year's showing. Although I failed to submit "The Super Sweet Snow Ship" as a title in time for the vote, "Captain Keggy's Carnival Cruiser" was a good substitute. The unveiling of the snow ship on Thursday evening, combined with cannon pyrotechnics and Christmas lights, was the perfect beginning to the weekend, despite the swamp-like condition of the Green.
As all the '08s learned quickly this weekend, Winter Carnival is a time of immense tradition. Unlike Homecoming, when the bonfire is more or less both the beginning and the end of the weekend, Winter Carnival lacks a defined focal point and is better because of it. In no way am I trying to downplay and trivialize the Homecoming spirit, but Winter Carnival reeks of tradition from the opening ceremonies on Thursday through the end of the frat parties on Sunday morning. Moreover, the bonfire is built and burned in the span of a week, maybe two. The snow sculpture, however, is under construction for weeks before Winter Carnival and will most likely exist for weeks in the future.
Sure, more alumni probably come back to campus during Homecoming, but Winter Carnival is specifically unique to Dartmouth. Ancient Carnival posters sold for over $2,000 dollars at an auction a few weeks ago. Thus, in anticipation for the year 2055, I purchased a hundred posters. I read that mtvU wanted to film a top ten countdown from Winter Carnival. I doubt any of the other Ivies can say that they were approached. Middlebury has its own Winter Carnival, but I'm going to attend both this year and I guarantee I have already experienced the good one. My friend and I even decided to sell unofficial Choates T-shirts, hopefully starting or at least reinstituting another unique tradition -- I put this in to remind those Choates residents who have yet to pick up their shirts to stop by my room!
I love the way the campus felt during Winter Carnival. I love how I was headed for Food Court on Thursday when I caught sight of a group of oddly dressed students participating in the human dogsled race. I love the way I can wake up at noon and head over to the Skiway to ski and watch the races. I love how I allowed myself to jog through the snow in sandals when headed to beach party. I love how Hanoverians embrace Winter Carnival by organizing the Occom Pond Party with their own snow sculptures. But most of all, I love the words that were yelled out loud in many basements throughout the weekend -- "I love Winter Carnival."
Winter Carnival is a time to celebrate what Dartmouth is all about. Dartmouth is about its environment. Winter Carnival remembers that we all live in this harsh environment together and can build a tight community because of it. Thankfully, the weather cooled down and the rain turned to snow just in time for the opening ceremony and the ski races to begin. Dartmouth's tight community is created through events like Winter Carnival, where the entire student body spends time together dressing up as pirates or attending pig roasts. I would be hard-pressed to find another college tradition that rivals Winter Carnival in its uniqueness, excitement, and storied tradition. Other schools have football rivalry games, Dartmouth has Winter Carnival. Some schools build boring bonfires seventy feet high, Dartmouth builds a pirate ship with cannons and Christmas lights. This year, I didn't look forward to Carnival until about a week before it began -- now, I'm already looking forward to Winter Carnival 2006.
