This year’s Winterfest drew a crowd of more than 150 to the Daemen University Wick Campus Center, offering festive activities for students, faculty, staff, and their families for the first time in three years.
“The event was a great success and it was exciting to finally welcome guests back to campus for the event since the onset of COVID-19,” said Heather Maclin, director of Student Activities. “Every activity had a steady flow of participants the entire night and we heard nothing but positive feedback from students.”
Highlights of this year’s Winterfest included the annual tree lighting, horse drawn carriage rides, an indoor skating rink, mechanical reindeer, hot chocolate bar, Bingo, giveaways, and crafts.
Maclin said students spent hours making ornaments, painting canvases, and decorating mugs and many enjoyed Bingo to end the night’s festivities.
Overall, “Winterfest and all its activities took over the entire Wick Center,” said Nathan Flintjer, assistant director of Student Activities. “It gave our community a chance to celebrate the end of the semester and unwind before finals.”
This year’s celebrations continued into Saturday with the first Snow Ball, which saw more than 75 students and their guests enjoy dinner and dancing at the Creekside Banquet Facility.
“Students packed the dance floor and enjoyed a 360 photo booth to mark the event,” said Maclin.
Maclin said several students expressed their gratitude for the event, especially because they were unable to attend their high school proms due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Overall, “students had a blast and we had a great first run for the event,” said Flintjer.
Maclin said Daemen plans to offer the Snow Ball again next year with new elements and offerings.
“We hope that those who attended will share their experience with their peers,” she said.
For more information about Daemen’s annual Student Activities events, click here.