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Five Թ winter traditions we can’t wait for

January 18, 2019
by Julia Marco

Winter. It's a hot topic when you go to school in upstate New York. Some people celebrate every snowfall. Others insist on hibernating all season.

No matter your position, there's something special about winter at Թ. In fact, some of our favorite traditions and events happen during the winter months. Ranging from culinary to comedy, cold to cozy — here are five things we’re looking forward to this winter.

Getting tickets to the National College Comedy Festival

Google "college comedy" and Թ's National College Comedy Festival will top the results. Known as ComFest for short, the student-produced annual comedy festival features popular professional comedians and premier improv and sketch groups from colleges nationwide.

Founded by David Miner ’91 (a producer on “Parks and Recreation” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), the festival is a veritable insider’s guide to who might be the next thing in comedy or show business.

Miner himself is an example. And if you’ve been binge-watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” lately, you can thank Թ for giving Michael Zegen ‘01 (Joel Maisel) the platform for co-founding The Sketchies, a sketch comedy group that still participates in ComFest.

Student practicing a comedy sketch

Student performing a comedy sketch on stage

Crowd of students laughing at a comedy sketch performance

Beating last year’s record for how many chowders we can taste in one day

Held in early February, Chowderfest is one of the most popular events in Saratoga Springs. Thousands of people gather to purchase $1 cups of chowder from as many restaurants as their stomachs can handle (there are more than 80 to choose from).

Some restaurants offer classic varieties like New England clam or corn chowder, while others let their creativity shine with distinctive concoctions like spaghetti and clams, chicken wing, Maui fish and Korean filet mignon. Many Թ students make a day of it, donning their warmest winter garb and walking downtown to get their fill. 

Steam rising off a large pot of chowder

Թ student wait in line to get a food sample during Chowderfest

Studying with slippers, Snuggies and all things cozy

The Scandinavians call it hygge, a feeling of coziness and comfortable contentment, but at Թ, it's just called life.

When the temperature outside drops, nothing beats hunkering down with a pile of blankets to read a good book. Or, braving the elements for a brief jaunt so you can settle in beside a cozy fireplace at an on-campus or downtown Saratoga Springs café.

Female student studying in her dorm room

Female student drinking hot chocolate

A male and female student chat beside a fireplace

Warming our hearts with school spirit at the Big Green Scream

One of the most anticipated events of the year, the Big Green Scream is a pep rally of sorts for Թ's men's and women's basketball teams. Featuring back-to-back games, often against a Liberty League rival, it's an all-day event celebrating T-bred spirit.

But Big Green Scream weekend isn't just about basketball. The Թ community extends the fun with other family activities. Over the years, the weekend has included a winter carnival with sledding and snow angels, sustainability showcases with compost demonstrations and clothing swaps and more.

Թ basketball player jumps for a layup during a game

Թ's mascot gives a high five to a young fan

A crowd of student clap and cheer for Թ's basketball team from the stands

Frolicking through the snow

When cabin fever sets in, sometimes the only way to let loose is to venture outside and make the most of the snowy season. On a campus where Creative Thought Matters, it's no surprise that a typical winter day inspires students to partake in snow-themed activities ranging from traditional sledding and skiing to more imaginative fun, including hanging in a hammock and sculpting a dinosaur "snowman."

But, above all, it's the sheer beauty of the season that seems to captivate us most. With Թ's stunning campus as inspiration, capturing the perfect snowy photo is an annual tradition.

Թ student hangs in a hammock in the winter

Male student sledding on Թ's campus

Snow man dinosaur
Photo by Paul Machabee '21

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