WPI History and Traditions Part VII: The Winter Carnival

by Donna Emma Edzards - Associate Editor

This week's article is all about that annual event known as the Winter Carnival. It all started about 60 years ago as yet another Freshman/Sophomore Rivalry event, the Tech Carnival. This event was the kickoff to all other competitive affairs. The Freshman and Sophomore classes would each put on a skit to be judged by a select team of judges. While these judges made their decision, the faculty would put on a skit of their own. Mind you, all of these skits were totally and uniquely conceived, directed and acted out by the participants. Nils Hagberg, the campus cop, was MC of the event telling jokes between skits to keep the audience of upperclassmen, faculty and staff entertained.

The Tech Carnival saw an unfortunate demise in those rebel years that our grandparents would rather forget, the 1960's. It was at this time that the students became rowdy and the skit topics were considered greatly distasteful. The event which started out of fun as a chance for freshmen to meet sophomore students and the faculty deteriorated into a rather unpleasant affair.

Last year we saw the revival of this event with a new twist. The Tech Carnival returned to campus as the Tech Winter Carnival. The original idea of bringing faculty and students together was restored with the Faculty/Student Social in Gompei's Function Room. Other events which were featured last year and will again be held this year include the Open Mic, Bands, the Klondike Bar Hunt, Turkey Bowling, and Broom Ball on the Quad. New to this year's carnival are the Hot Pepper Eating Contest, and hypnotist Ronny Romm. All Winter Carnival Events are free to participants and many offer the chance to win great prizes.

Also, don't forget to go to WPI night with the IceCats at the Worcester Centrum, a 4pm game versus division rivals, the Springfield Falcons. Come cheer on the hometown team to victory! It costs only $5!!! That's less than it costs for a trip to the movies, and chances are you'll see more hits and fights. See Chris Jachimowicz in the Student Activities Office for details.

So jump at your chance to make WPI history! See you on the Quad and at the game!

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