RIT's FreezeFest celebrates the snow and cold

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A. Sue Weisler

Ice carving displays will be among more than 20 events and activities at this year's RIT FreezeFest, Feb. 1-4.

A snowboarding and ski course, escape rooms, grocery bingo, basketball and hockey games are some of the more than 20 events and activities planned for the ninth annual Rochester Institute of Technology FreezeFest for students, faculty and staff to celebrate Rochester’s winter season.

The festival, Feb. 1–4, sponsored by RIT’s Center for Campus Life and the College Activities Board, is one of the largest events on campus and the largest in the winter season.

Joywave, an indie rock band from Rochester, will give a concert at 9 p.m. Saturday in the Gordon Field House. RIT students may receive one free ticket at the Gene Polisseni Center Box Office or online. All other tickets are $10.

“It’s a great way to celebrate the lovely winter season we receive each year and have some fun,” said Kalie Lazarou, a fourth-year industrial and systems engineering major from Wheatfield, N.Y., and the events coordinator for the RIT College Activities Board.

Lazarou said there will be giveaways including hats, gloves, T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts during some of the events.

Unless otherwise indicated, all FreezeFest events are free. They include:

Thursday, Feb. 1:

• 4 p.m.: Deaf Media Festival, learn about deaf media including film, photography, ASL interpretation and more, Communication Service for the Deaf Student Development Center, rooms 1300/1310.
• 9 p.m.: Movie, Thor Ragnarok, Ingle Auditorium.

Friday, Feb. 2:

• 8 a.m.–4 p.m.: Ice Sculpture Carving, outside the Student Alumni Union. Hot chocolate available.
• 11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Festivities, Student Alumni Union lobby. Free cotton candy, popcorn, green screen photos, Winter Henna with Oasis, architectural art and giveaways.
• 3-7 p.m.: Escape rooms, Fireside Lounge. Three rooms with 10 minutes of play time each. Themes include Stranger Things, Winter Escape and Castle Escape.
• 4 p.m.: Men’s and women’s track and field, Tiger Invitational, Gordon Field House and Activities Center.
• 4 p.m.: Deaf Media Festival, CSD Student Development Center, rooms 1300/1310.
• 6 p.m.: Women’s basketball, vs. Clarkson University, Clark Gymnasium.
• 7:05 p.m.: Men’s hockey, vs. Bentley University, Gene Polisseni Center. Tickets available at RIT box office.
• 8 p.m.: Men’s basketball, vs. Clarkson University, Clark Gymnasium.
• 8 p.m.: Improvessionals on Ice, featuring RIT Improv and the Improvessionals, Webb Auditorium in Booth Hall.
• 10 p.m.: Grocery Bingo, free games, chance to win prizes including groceries, Al Davis Room, Student Alumni Union.

Saturday, Feb. 3:

• 9 a.m.–noon.: Strength vs. Cancer, deadlift competition where participants pledge money based on their personal records. Sponsored by the RIT Weightlifting Club. Proceeds will go to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Spectators welcome in the Tiger Power Den, Clark Gymnasium.
• 10 a.m. –4:30 p.m.: FreezeFest Rail Jam 2018, RIT Freestyle Snowboard Team hosts this competitive ski and snowboard event. Contestants will be judged on their tricks down a pre-built course on the hill near the Red Barn.
• 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.: Winter Warrior, a 12-part obstacle course testing endurance, speed, agility and teamwork, hosted by Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Chi to benefit the Veterans Outreach Center. Two-person teams, $5 per person at Grace Watson Field.
• Noon–3 p.m.: Festivities, free cotton candy, popcorn and photo booth with Photo House, build a buddy and caricatures.
• 2 p.m.: Women’s basketball, vs. St. Lawrence University, Clark Gymnasium.
• 4–6 p.m.: Food trucks. Limited supply of free food from four local food trucks; eat under a heated tent outside the SAU.
• 4 p.m.: Men’s basketball, vs. St. Lawrence University, Clark Gymnasium.
• 7:05 p.m.: Men’s hockey, vs. Bentley University, Gene Polisseni Center. Tickets available at RIT box office.

Sunday, Feb. 4:

• 10 a.m.: FreezeFest 5K Run/Walk on campus. The first 250 finishers will receive a long-sleeved FreezeFest 5K shirt. Online registration is $10 for students, $15 for others until Feb. 2. Day of registration is $15 for RIT students and $20 for others.
• 1 p.m.: RIT Velocity Dance Workshop & Spring Auditions. RIT Velocity hosts a dance workshop and auditions for prospective members, at the upper dance studio in the Hale-Andrews Student Life Center. Bring water and a friend.
• 5:30–10:30 p.m.: Big Football Game. Watch the Super Bowl (and the commercials) in the Gordon Field House with huge screens, pizza and chicken wings.