Braving below-freezing temperatures, Northwestern students trekked from all over campus to reach Norris’ revolving door Saturday night. Inside, WinterFest 2025 awaited.
Planned and executed by Student Organizations & Activities (SOA), the annual WinterFest featured roller skating, a hot chocolate bar, battery-powered stuffed pig racing and more. SOA Associate Director Joe Lattal said the event was a great social activity for students right after the break.
“This event has become a tradition to welcome students back to Evanston after break,” Lattal said in an email to The Daily. “Our staff witnessed students reconnecting for the first time in a while, meeting peers and establishing a social community in a free and welcoming environment.”
Lattal also assumed the role of the night’s bingo caller, and the games attracted a crowd that filled the room. Prizes were on the line — ranging from NU water bottles to flameless candle diffusers — and players filled the room with supportive cheers or groans of disappointment every time a lucky winner shouted “Bingo!”
In addition to bingo, a line stretched out the door for WinterFest’s screen-printing room. Inside, Chicago business Magnolia Screen Printing set up a rotating screen printer, allowing students to choose from various NU and Chicago-themed designs to paint on t-shirts and take home.
As a complement, NU’s own Artica Studios set up a table in the same room to teach students the art of screen painting. While they waited for their t-shirts, students learned to screen paint on postcards. Screen-printed postcards of the Chicago flag hung around the room.
“I think it’s important to always be in touch with your creative side and to take the opportunity to learn new skills and understand how things are made,” Weinberg senior Sophia Bonfigli said.
Dance Marathon was also present on Saturday night. The student organization took charge of the air hockey table and turned it into a tournament to raise awareness about its event in April.
The games were competitive, with pucks flying off the table as a crowd gathered to watch. In the final round of the air hockey tournament, two friends faced off — their competition went into sudden death.
SESP junior Lea Kalkowski said the event was important for Dance Marathon to continue spreading the word about its event.
“It was a really fun time. They were all talking and making new friends,” Kalkowski said. “We were lucky enough to be able to have more people register for Dance Marathon.”
SOA has many events planned for students in the coming weeks, including local field trips through the SOA Passport Program.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that SOA is also planning an event for students called SummerFest. The event is being planned by the Office of the Provost. The Daily regrets this error.
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