Students walking past a giant purple inflatable mammoth at the entry way to Winter Fest.

A Mammoth Event. On March 6, Amherst students and the campus community entered a fully transformed and wintry Coolidge Cage, decorated with the classic inflatable mascot, purple lighting and holiday trees as part of Winter Fest 2022. The College hosts the annual festival to celebrate the winter season and provide students an opportunity to relax and unwind with fun activities,games and numerous themed foods.

People in line getting donuts and toppings, one of several food stations to choose from.

Donut Delight. A major part of Winter Fest is the wide array of sweets and treats. One of the main food features is the donut wall, where students are decorate their own donuts with tasty toppings and flavored sauces. The indulgence does not stop there though, with other food stalls offering waffles, mac and cheese, dumplings, sundaes and hot chocolate.

Los Angeles-based a cappella group The Filharmonic performs on stage.

In Harmony. Los Angeles-based a cappella group The Filharmonic took to the Winter Fest stage as the special guest of the 2022 festival. Once featured in the movie Pitch Perfect 2, the quintet performed medleys and covers for the Amherst crowd, providing wonderful entertainment that fit the energetic, joyful tone of the event.

Three students eating refreshments at Winter Fest.

Sustenance of the Season. Several round tables were scattered throughout the venue, which made snacking on fine foods while conversing with friends effortlessly easy. Each table was aptly decorated to fit the winter theme, with free treats also supplied on the tables themselves.

Two students, both wearing face masks, pose for a photo together during Winter Fest activities.

Purple Rain. In true Amherst fashion, Coolidge Cage was transformed into a vision of purple, with extravagant lighting rigs providing a purple hue that added to the magical aura of the night. Students took the opportunity to pose in the ambient lighting, with a photo booth also provided as part of the festivities.

Students gather in front of the inflatable bounce house.

Spotlight on the Slide. Acting as the centerpiece of the event, a 30-foot inflatable slide was displayed in the middle of Coolidge Cage. Students were able to use the slide in groups of two, and the impressive scale of the attraction provided an excellent centerpoint for the other activities.

Several men ice skating, one giving a thumbs up gesture.

Ice Soccer? Two members of the men’s soccer team, Declan Sung ‘24E and Micah Valadez Bush ‘25, enjoy the ice skating event.

Four female students, all wearing face masks, stop to pose for a photo while ice skating.

Two masked students converse from opposite side of a plexiglass divider at the Orr Rink.

Through the Looking Glass. Orr Rink was packed with students for the entirety of the evening, and ice skating proved to be one of the most popular Winter Fest events.