Columbus State University is transforming campus into a winter wonderland complete with snow, Santa and a show during the inaugural WinterFest, a community-wide event scheduled for the first evening in December.

WinterFest will be free to attend and is an opportunity for the CSU family and the Columbus community to come together to welcome the holiday season. The event will offer activities for everyone, including families with young children, students, university faculty and staff, CSU alumni and adults.

WinterFest activities will include:

· Holiday performances from more than a dozen local schools and organizations

         -Hot chocolate and holiday treats
         -Lighting of the campus holiday tree and clock tower
         -Photos with Santa and Elsa from “Frozen”
         -Holiday craft stations from around the world
 
“I look forward to watching some great performances from local schoolchildren, and seeing how CSU’s students can help create a fun holiday event on campus,” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “My hope is that WinterFest will become a great annual tradition that involves all corners of this community.”

University Police will be at the event collecting donations for Cougars for Causes, a holiday fundraising drive benefitting local area nonprofits. Attendees can participate in the drive by donating a canned good.

WinterFest, co-sponsored by the CSU Alumni Association, is Tuesday, December 1 from 6-9 p.m. around the Thomas Y. Whitley Clock Tower on CSU’s main campus. For more information, visit alumni.columbusstate.edu/winterfest or call 706-507-8730.