Students were welcomed back to the University of Kentucky after winter break by Wildcat Winter Wonderland, sponsored by UK Campus Housing.
In the Gatton Student Center Ballroom, students participated in activities such as ice skating, an inflatable slide, arcade games and a mechanical snowboard on Jan. 16.
Returning students could spend the night with peers and partake in winter-themed entertainment.
“My favorite part is seeing them come out of their shell when they’re coming back from the (previous) semester,” The Assistant Marketing Director of UK Campus Housing, Alyson Tate said. “It’s just really nice to see groups of friends come together and come out and enjoy some camaraderie.”
According to Tate, this year the event had a small refresh containing a name change as well as being brought inside for safety purposes due to the weather.
Along with the activities, there was a variety of food such as funnel cake, hot chocolate, hotdogs and kettle corn with a DJ present.
Attending the event with some friends, Kayden Gardener, a sophomore studio art and English major, said about how the event held good energy and was nice throughout.
“I think the activities definitely were well thought out and planned. I really like the music, like just setting the vibes, and then also, of course, the nice prizes and things,” Gardener said.
The middle of the ballroom held a plastic ice skating rink for students to skate on.
“The ice skating rink was a cool addition to the event,” Gardener said. “I think it’s just fun, indoor ice skating is always better than outdoor because you get central heating.”
Hailey Morris, a resident advisor and sophomore communications and anthropology major, said there were many activities at the event.
“I think that’s something that students really enjoy,” Morris said.
The Wildcat Winter Wonderland had a wide range of things to do, according to Laci Baldwin, a resident advisor and a sophomore biology major.
“There’s a lot to do, and if you just want to stand at ease you can do that. Or if you want to slide, you can do that,” Baldwin said.
The UK Campus Housing hopes students will enjoy themselves and continue attending their events in the future, according to Tate.
“We’re here for our students,” Tate said. “We want them to have the best experience while they’re here on campus, and this is just one small way that we want to give back to them.”
