Students took a break from their studies and shredded on an indoor snowboard within the Student Center Ballroom at UPC's annual Jingle Bell Jam. The ballroom was transformed into a winter spectacle with decorations, lights, and holiday music.
"This is the 4th year we have had Jingle Bell Jam and it has grown every year," said Alexa Russell, director of UPC's Tiger Nights. "It is a winter themed event that is a great way to let students take a break from the stress of these last couple weeks of classes with free food and fun."
Russell said they have been planning the event since September with the goal of creating an exciting and unique atmosphere for students.
“It’s just a fun way for all the students to be able to come together and just have a fun free activity to do,” said Miranda Wolno, sophomore in pre-journalism and volunteer for the event.
The event's attractions included an iceless ice skating rink, photo mugs, snowflake ornament crafts, a selfie mirror photo booth, cookie decorating, soft pretzels, hot chocolate, coffee, and various other snacks.
"We chose these because the iceless ice skating rink and photo mugs have been very popular with students every year and students always enjoy free food," Russell said. "Students are always intrigued about how the iceless rink works as well."
The mechanical snowboard is the newest feature of the jam. The ride works by having participants stand on a snowboard suspended above a platform. When the ride starts, the board moves in random directions while the rider must keep his or her balance to stay on.
“[The mechanical snowboard] was a fun addition after we saw that the mechanical shark at Paradise on the Plains was so successful,” said UPC volunteer Haley Todd, junior in pre-social work.
The temporary ice skating rink made of a smooth plastic gave students the opportunity to don real skates with metal blades and skate around the ballroom.
“We have lot of unique attractions like ice skating without ice and a mechanical snowboard which is something that you can’t get at any other event in Auburn,” Todd said. “We also have really yummy free food like pretzels and hot chocolate.”
The pretzels could be dipped in hot cheese, white chocolate flakes, marshmallows, and whipped cream could be added to the hot chocolate. There was also a cookie decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and other sugary decoration available for use.
“My favorite part of this is probably just the nice music, the free hot chocolate, the holiday spirit I guess a nice break from classes,” said Andrew Stephen, senior in computer engineering.
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