In keeping with this winter’s weather pattern of snow /no snow, the 2013 FebFest theme is “Meltdown.” The annual winter tradition will take place Feb. 9-16 with events that include CAB Acoustic Coffeehouse featuring Josh Ritter, CAB Comedy with Michael Ian Black, the 20th annual Chili Cookoff, and the Mr. Hamilton contest. Some FebFest highlights follow.

Hamilton students took a break from preparing for final exams as they enjoyed an all-campus study break on Dec. 18 at the Sadove Student Center.  Student Activities sponsored the event that included snowflake making, free hot cocoa, coloring, chair massages and movies. Attendees also stopped to make cards and write messages for the families affected by the tragedy in Sandy Hook, Conn.

The 11th annual Fall Fest held on the Clinton Village Green on Oct. 21 provided an afternoon of entertainment, activities and food for the Hamilton community and Clinton residents. Sponsored by Hamilton's Student Assembly, the event featured face-painting, a soccer clinic and entertainment by a capella groups.

The 11th Annual Hamilton College Fall Fest will take place on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Clinton Village Green. Fall Fest is an initiative that was started in 2002 by the Hamilton Class of 2005 to reach out and join with the local community for an afternoon of food, fun activities and entertainment.

The 2012 Campus Life Open House was held Sept. 7 on the Sadove Student Center Terrace.

Considering that America is a melting pot of many cultures, shouldn’t a Thanksgiving dinner--the most literal translation of that melting pot--be more varied, with different foods representing those many different cultures? On November 16, the Hamilton Spirituality Initiative held a feast truly in the “spirit” of America: a Thanksgiving dinner in which people of all faiths contributed foodstuffs that were characteristic of their respective backgrounds and ideologies.

The Social Traditions Committee and the men’s hockey team joined forces to host a date auction on Nov. 30 with proceeds going to charity.

Local families can experience the magic of Harry Potter at the 10th annual Hogwarts at Hamilton, taking place on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5, at Benedict Hall, home to Hamilton's Religious Studies Department.

The GNAR Club hosted a late night DJ competition bringing together the top DJs on campus on Oct. 7. In an atmosphere enhanced by a green laser, strobe light, electric candles, glow sticks and purple fluorescence, more than 200 students raved in the Events Barn to the live mixes of five Hamilton DJs.

The Friday Late Nite Programs hosted by Student Activities provide a great way to start the weekend, while offering an alcohol-free alternative for those students who wish to participate. According to David Eng, assistant director of student activities, a wide variety of programs have been held for at least two years. Casino Night, the Bollywood and Bhangra parties, Hamskate, and the Snow Ball were all organized thanks to the Late Nite Programs.