From dog sledding to bowling to dressing in drag, UW-Eau Claire students can take part in an array of Winter Carnival activities today through Sunday.

The carnival is a good opportunity for students to get outside and enjoy the winter weather or stay warm indoors, said Paula Stuettgen, senior coordinator of Student Development and Programs.

Outdoor opportunities include an Outdoor Recreation ski trip today to Coffee Mill Ski Area in Wabasha, Minn.

Students also can take free dogsled rides from 2 to 4 p.m. today beginning near Governors Hall.

All students, not just those who live on upper campus, are invited to take place in the dogsled demonstrations, assistant director of University Recreation Dan Langlois said.

“We’ve done (dogsled races) in the past,” Langlois said. “It’s been a really nice event.”

For the first time in three years, there will be snow for the event, Stuettgen said.

Outdoor Recreation also will offer snow softball and snow volleyball tournaments, among other events.

For those who don’t want to brave the elements, a variety of indoor programs are planned, as well.

The biggest draws will likely be on Friday night, Stuettgen said.

The 9 p.m. comedy showcase, featuring comedian Mike Birbiglia and Chicago improvisational group Mission IMPROVable, is expected to draw several hundred students, she added.

Sophomore Chris Conklin, who attended the Friday night comedy events last year, said he’ll attend this year if his schedule permits it. He doesn’t think he’ll try any of the other events, though.

“(The comedy show) was really funny last year,” Conklin said.

“I’ll probably stick to that because it’s probably what I would enjoy the most.”

After the comedy show, 400 to 500 students are expected to show up at midnight for Eau Claire’s annual showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Stuettgen said.

Students are encouraged to dress up and bring toast and other traditional “Rocky”-related foods, she said.

But any wet foods should be left at home, she added.

“It’s a lot different than the usual dinner and a movie (for Valentine’s Day),” Stuettgen said.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the comedy show are traditional carnival events, although the Mission IMPROVable act is new to Eau Claire, said Karen Luger, chair of special events for University Activities Commission.

Perhaps the best part of this year’s carnival is the weather, Stuettgen said, referring to the recent snowfalls.

“I’m so excited we have snow for dogsledding,” she said.
“I hope (students) take advantage of the fact that we have snow.”