January 16, 2004 — For the first time, The University of Utah Winterfest celebration will team up with Salt Lake City to help promote its second annual Illumination Parade.
The illumination contest is just one of three competitions that university Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to participate in as a part of this year’s “U Winterfest.”
The theme for this year’s U Winterfest is “fire and ice.” It will take place at the Olpin Union, Wednesday, February 4 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The schedule of events is as follows:
3 p.m. – Ice sculpting competition begins
4:30 p.m. – Event start time – Winter relay competitions, horse carriage rides, free hot beverage service, live music, food vendors, illumination workshop
5 p.m. – Mingle with U athletes from men’s football and women’s soccer until 7 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – Fire Dancers
6 p.m. – Ice Sculpting Judging
6:30 p.m. – Illumination Parade Judging
The contest to determine the best university Illumination Parade entry will be one of the marquee events at this year’s U Winterfest. City Events Manager Talitha Day says this is just the latest example of how the U and the city are teaming up to make community events more rewarding and fun for everyone. “We are so excited to team-up with U Winterfest for this year’s Illumination Parade. We will be offering some great prizes for the top university entries. I know how creative people at the U can be and I’m sure they’ll come up with some great ideas,” said Day.
The first place winners in the university Illumination Parade contest will receive 25 passes to Gallivan Center events for 2004. The winners can choose which events they want to attend. The Gallivan Center stages many premium concerts and festivals each year. Second prize is a Pizza party at the enclosed Gallivan Center main stage and free ice-skating for up to 25 people. Third prize is a gift certificate package from the Gateway.
Other events at this year’s U Winterfest are in keeping with the fire and ice theme. Revelers can enjoy watching the fire dancers or observe the always-popular ice-sculpting contest. There will be a variety of hot foods including chili and hot chocolate and some cool live music!
U Winterfest organizer Frank Chacon says there will be more to do this year. “This year’s Winterfest should be more fun than ever, since we’ve added some activities. People can enjoy a horse carriage ride, or mingle with Ute sports team members. The football team and women’s soccer team have both committed to come meet and greet their fans. Of course, like last year we will once again have a series of games and relay races for anyone who wants to compete. We’ll hand out prizes to the winners,” said Chacon.
For more information about U Winterfest, stop by the Information Desk of the Olpin Union, call 581-5888, or visit www.union.utah.edu.
Winterfest celebration will continue on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7:00 p.m. when Salt Lake City’s Illumination Parade will take place beginning at the Gateway Shopping Center and ending at the Gallivan Center. Once the parade reaches the Gallivan Center, a celebration will commence featuring live music, entertainment and lots of hot food. For more information about Salt Lake City’s Winterfest celebration, call 801-535-7780.