(KNSI) – The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are embracing Minnesota’s famously frigid winters with a new campus celebration.
The inaugural True North Winter Festival will run throughout February and into early March, featuring a month-long lineup of winter activities, outdoor recreation and community gatherings across both campuses.
“Instead of using winter as an excuse to isolate and hibernate, we want to use it as an opportunity to come together and engage in community,” said Aaron Voth, assistant dean for student leadership and engagement at CSB+SJU. “Part of what makes Minnesota special is all the snow we get to play and have fun in, especially with the outdoor resources on these two campuses. Our goal is to celebrate that.”
The festival blends beloved campus activities with new offerings, culminating in the return of the Snow Ball Dance Party, the colleges’ winter formal.
The celebration kicks off on February 7th from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement and the Outdoor U at SJU. The opening day will feature pond hockey, broomball, ice fishing, sledding, Nordic skiing, curling and snow sculptures.
The following weekend brings the Luminary Walk, a long-standing campus tradition that’s now integrated into the festival. The illuminated walk across Lake Sagatagan to the Stella Maris Chapel will take place February 13th and 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
On February 15th at 9:00 p.m., campus ministry SJUfaith will host a winter mass on frozen Lake Sagatagan, offering students and community members a chance to gather for worship in a unique outdoor setting.
Later in the month, from February 25th through March 1st, a Sauna Village and Cold Plunge will be set up daily on the CSB Mall. The outdoor wellness experience combines heat and cold therapy to help students reduce stress, boost circulation and restore energy.
Find out more about the festivities by clicking here.
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