The fifth annual Frosty Fest celebration at WVU Potomac State College heralded the arrival of the winter season with more than 300 children and their families delighting in crafts, games, and other snow-themed activities in the College’s Lough gymnasium.
Inspired by the music of “Frosty the Snowman,” co-written by Keyser native Jack Rollins, the event featured a number of making stations where children could create their own sock snowman, decorate snowman sugar cookies, craft their own snowman masks from paper plates, and make snow globes. Additional crafts included making ornaments and photo frames, as well as take-home slime goodie bags. A photo station allowed families to capture holiday portraits, and a storytime area entertained the littlest visitors.
The trebuchet prototype, created by Joan Vogtman’s class as a mockup for the Catamount Catapult used to launch pumpkins during the College’s Trunk-or-Treat event, was repurposed as a “snowball launcher” to much delight of participants.
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteered to create a memorable event for the community. PSC students from the Student Government Association, along with members of the softball, volleyball, women’s soccer, cross country, and track teams, all volunteered. The Alumni Association had a table, along with the Mineral County Family Resource Network, which sponsored a coloring contest for children in Mineral County.
“It’s a great event that we’re proud to host each year as a kickoff to the winter season! I’m extremely pleased that we’ve been able to create these types of events that are starting to become traditions between the college and our surrounding communities,” said organizer Kara Hotchkiss, director of residence life and student engagement coordinator. “Paying homage to Jack Rollins is a bonus – his legacy will continue to bring joy and spirit to our small town. We look forward to seeing everyone at the sixth annual fest next year!”
Click here to see more photos from the event.