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“As snow accumulates at alarming rates, we show our love for the 50 states.” That was the theme for this year’s Winter Carnival at Michigan Tech.
The annual festival started in 1922 and, with events such as broomball and dog sledding, now draws an audience from across the state and the country.
Carnival visitor Austin Hinkle says he drove 10 hours to visit friends and enjoy the activities.
Hinkle said, “This is my first time visiting Michigan Tech. I’ve been in the UP before but it’s my first time all the way up here. It’s a little cold but overall I’m having a lot of fun.”
Winter Carnival kicks off each year with Wednesday’s All-Nighter, where statue building is at its peak. Phi Kappa Tau’s New York themed statue won the month-long contest.
The weekend was packed with outdoor entertainment like the Student-Alumni broomball tournament. Sigma Phi Epsilon took the Class A title for the weekend.
Winter Carnival ended with a bang on Saturday night with the Torchlight parade and fireworks at Mont Ripley.
Every year, one student org is awarded a Winter Carnival trophy. Phi Kappa Tau won this year’s trophy as well as the month long statue contest, speed skating, the beard competition and the Yooper Sprint.
Most visitors left on Sunday, but Tech student Ryan Knoll says his friends will keep coming back.
Knoll said, “Yeah, a lot of my high school friends I invited back up here, they all come. I meet with a lot of them and they have a lot of fun. Winter Carnival is just a fun time. I wish everyone could be up here in the UP and enjoy Winter Carnival with us.”
