Outdoor ice skating, Performing Arts Challenge, escape rooms planned for FreezeFest ’21

Outdoor ice skating, Dr. Munson’s Performing Arts Challenge, giveaways, hot chocolate, and a virtual escape room are some of the activities planned for this year’s FreezeFest beginning Feb. 4 on the RIT campus.

“FreezeFest has always been a way to celebrate the start of the semester and embrace the cold weather, but this year it’s also a way for students to engage with each other and participate in events safely,” said Kailyn Alonso, student event manager for RIT’s College Activities Board, which is hosting the event.

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She said in-person events will require pre-registration to keep crowds low and spread out. Extra masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all events, and signage will be posted to enforce social distancing.

“All events are free,” Alonso said. “The only thing that comes with a cost are the food trucks, but we will be providing a limited number of meal tickets for students.”

A new event this year will feature do-it-yourself kits for students to make their own coasters — using permanent markers to create a marbled effect on ceramic coasters — and sugar body scrubs, made from sugar, coconut oil, and a scented essential oil, as well as a jar to put the finished product in.

And two events will be held all weekend long and can be completed at any time: a virtual scavenger hunt — where students answer riddles and visit other FreezeFest events — and a virtual escape room, which will test visitors to see if they can escape from a wintery universe.

For the latest information, visit the CAB website.

Other scheduled events include:

Thursday, Feb. 4:

• Drag Bingo, virtual, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom. Join drag queen Mrs. Kasha Davis who will host a fun night of bingo.

Friday, Feb. 5: 

• Winter Village, 3-5 p.m., Global Village. Music as well as snacks — including hot chocolate and cotton candy — provided.
• Dr. Munson’s Performing Arts Challenge, 6-8 p.m. Eleven finalists perform virtually, competing for a top prize of $1,000.

Saturday, Feb. 6:

• Build a Buddy, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., SAU 1510/1829 Room. Advance registration required.
• DIY Sugar Scrubs, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., CPC 2610 (Bamboo Room). Advance registration required.
• DIY Coasters, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., CPC 2650 (Bamboo Room). Advance registration required.
• Open Skate, 2-7 p.m., U Lot (weather depending). Skates provided for outdoor ice skating with musical entertainment. Advance registration required.
• Maze, 2-7 p.m., U Lot (weather depending). Navigate an inflatable maze. Advance registration required.
• Performances, 2-7 p.m., U Lot (weather depending). Performances by Late Shift, WADAIKO, and more.
• Food Trucks, 2-6 p.m., U Lot.

Sunday, Feb. 7:

• Sweets and Skate, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., U Lot. Join Residence Life for an open skate (weather dependent) and get some sweets, too.
• Food Trucks, 5:30-9:30 p.m., outside Ritter. Get a bite to eat before settling in to watch the Super Bowl.
• Big Football Game Kahoot, 6-10 p.m., virtual. Check out CAB’s social media for competitions and register on Campus Groups to get the link to the Kahoot. Other interactive messages will be posted throughout the game.