Winter Carnival epitomizes the spirit of Dartmouth: longstanding and steeped in tradition. The Carnival promotes Dartmouth’s identity and brings the community together. It also provides a crucial break for students in the middle of the winter term.

This year marks the first in which Graduate Arts and Sciences hosts its own Carnival events. I met with the Graduate Activities Coordinator, Dan Durcan, and the North Park Activities Coordinator, Regina Salvat, over tea to learn about the scheduled events.

The Carnival tradition goes back over a hundred years. Founded as a showcase for Dartmouth’s athletes, it did not take long for the Carnival to add social events. These events included a beauty pageant and dances. Such was the fame of Winter Carnival that F. Scott Fitzgerald was hired to write a screenplay on the festivities. Carnival has always been about the nurturing of talented winter sports athletes. An example of these talents can be seen over the weekend with the skiing slalom and the nordic skiing events.

Every year, the student body comes together with administration and the local community to put on a show like no other. A theme is chosen and sculptures and events are based around it. This year’s carnival: A Very Grimm Winter Carnival promises to continue the tradition with style. The title refers to German writers, the Brothers Grimm, whose notable works include Rapunzel, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood. The Carnival comes in time for the two-hundredth anniversary of their first publication of fairy tales.

The Graduate Carnival kicks off on Thursday, February 7, with a pub night at 3 Guys Barbeque Basement. Each graduate student is entitled to a free drink, and appetizers will also be provided.

On Friday, the Skiway is offering ninety-nine cent lift tickets. The Graduate Carnival is also offering discounted skiing that evening. For ten dollars, anyone with a graduate ID can get a lift ticket or equipment rental. “Perfect for the person who is in lab during the day, wants to avoid the crowds of the Skiway, or just fancies something a bit different” notes Salvat.

Saturday brings another pub night, this time at Molly’s. Following the successful Carnival event there last year, the management at Molly’s actually approached Durcan about holding another similar event, and he thought it was a great idea.

The official opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. on February 7 on the Green.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit the Collis Center website.