January 13, 2003 — Utah winters can be bitter cold, but competitive winter sports, piping hot chili and open-fire warming stations are sure to thaw even the coldest of people. All will be a part of this year’s “Fire and Ice: U of U Winterfest 2003,” scheduled to take place on Thursday, Feb. 6, on the Olpin Union Patio, where entertainment and drawings for free prizes will be held throughout the day. The U’s Olpin Union, Student Affairs and Human Resources departments will sponsor the event.

“Winterfest is a great way for diverse individuals and organizations on campus to come together to have fun in the spirit of competition,” says Frank Chacon, assistant director of the University’s Olpin Union and chair of the Winterfest committee.

U students, faculty and staff are invited to organize teams to participate in either ice sculpting or winter relay competitions (or both). Like last year, some teams will create ice sculptures, using hand tools or cigarette lighters-no electric or battery-operated tools or blowtorches will be allowed. Other teams will participate in either a morning or afternoon session of winter sports relays. Each team member of the winning teams-from the ice sculpting and sports relay competitions-will win a DVD player. Second place team members will also receive substantial prizes. Everyone who registers to participate in the competitions will receive a commemorative Winterfest gift. Each of the competitive portions of Winterfest will be open to the first 25 teams to register by Jan. 31 at 4:00 p.m. Teams can register over the phone or via e-mail by contacting Thuy Nguyen at 801-585-6898 or at thuy.nguyen@hsc.utah.edu.

Unless otherwise specified, all “Fire & Ice: U of U Winterfest 2003” events will be in the Union Patio area. The schedule is as follows:

9 a.m.-2 p.m.-Free beverage service of cider, coffee and cocoa
9-11 a.m.-Ice sculpture competitions, exhibit and jazz music
10:30 a.m.-12 noon-Professional ice sculptor exhibition
11 a.m.-1 p.m.-Lunch served. Bread Bowls with chili or soup will be available at minimal cost
11 a.m.-12 noon-Winter sports relay competitions
12 noon-1 p.m.-Live entertainment
1-2 p.m.- Winter sports relay competitions
2-3:30 p.m.- Free observation jazz workshop with jazz vocalist Claudia Acuña,Olpin Union East Ballroom
7:30 p.m.-Jazz vocalist Claudia Acuña, Kingsbury Hall. For tickets, call 801-581-7100.

Drawings for free prizes, including stays at the University Guest House and gift certificates from local merchants, will be awarded throughout the day on the Olpin Union Patio. For more information on the event, call 801-585-6898.