Freezefest kicks off Feb. 1

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A. Sue Weisler

PuppyFest returns, along with Rail Jam, as the opening act for Freezefest 2013 at RIT Feb. 1-3.

Snowfall in Rochester is catching up after the 2011-2012 winter thaw. Rochester Institute of Technology is encouraging students to come out and celebrate winter’s arrival by participating in the annual Freezefest celebration on campus Feb. 1-3.

The festival begins with the return of Rail Jam and PuppyFest at noon Feb. 1 by the Tiger Statue. Watch the annual ski and snowboard competition while playing with puppies and donating money to help local animal shelters.

The weekend features sarcastic comedian Joel McHale, best known as host of The Soup and his role as Jeff Winger on the NBC sitcom Community. Tickets for the 8 p.m. Feb. 1 show are $17 for students with ID, $29 for faculty and staff and $43 for the general public and can be purchased at the Gordon Field House box office. Call 585-475-4121 for ticket information or to charge by phone.

“Events continue Feb. 2 with the Evolution of Pogo, a history of the art and sport of pogo featuring BowGo inventor Ben Brown and the world-record-breaking extreme pogo stunt team,” says Rebecca Delany, coordinator for marketing and events services. “The free and open demo is from 9:45 to 11:15 p.m. in the Gordon Field House.”

Family activities include the first ever Sausage and Sauerkraut Festival on the Greek Lawn and the “Frosty Fun Center,” in the Student Alumni Union. At 7 p.m., RIT’s Global Union presents Unification, a celebration of RIT’s cultural diversity through performances from various cultural clubs on campus. Saturday night also features RIT men’s hockey vs. Connecticut University at 7:05 p.m. in Ritter Arena.

Activities conclude Feb. 3 with a 5K race beginning at noon and the Student Government Super Bowl Party at 5 p.m. in the Gordon Field House.