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Photo gallery ‘Tis better to roast a marshmallow than curse the cold

February 11, 2022

The Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival is in full swing this weekend, with ice fishing, s’mores, kite-making, snowboarding, family-friendly outdoor activities and more. The highlight will be on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12, when the replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch return to Lake Mendota, harkening back to the Pail & Shovel Party’s prank to fulfill a pledge to bring Lady Liberty to Madison. After a year off due to the pandemic, students and community members were eager to return to the snowy fun.

Winter Carnival-goers mingle with an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on frozen and snow-covered Lake Mendota near the shoreline.

Winter Carnival-goers mingle with an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on frozen and snow-covered Lake Mendota near the shoreline. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Some hearty carnival goers launch a kite (crafted by hand at Wheelhouse Studios) over the frozen waters of Lake Mendota.

Some hearty carnival goers launch a kite (crafted by hand at Wheelhouse Studios) over the frozen waters of Lake Mendota. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Alaina Brien (left) and other children twirl hula hoops and wave ribbons to the music of DJ Mike Carlson during the Winter Carnival’s Family Fun in Alumni Park and One University Place.

Alaina Brien (left) and other children twirl hula hoops and wave ribbons to the music of DJ Mike Carlson during the Winter Carnival’s Family Fun in Alumni Park and One University Place. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Spectators watch a skier dressed as Pikachu compete during the annual Rail Jam event at the Memorial Union Terrace.

Spectators watch a skier dressed as Pikachu compete during the annual Rail Jam event at the Memorial Union Terrace. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

UW student Abhishek Joshi takes a photo of Pitt Mastana, a competitive bollywood-fusion dance team from the University of Pittsburgh, as its members pose with an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on frozen Lake Mendota.

UW student Abhishek Joshi takes a photo of Pitt Mastana, a competitive bollywood-fusion dance team from the University of Pittsburgh, as its members pose with an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on frozen Lake Mendota. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Photo: An ice fishing rig above a hole in Lake Mendota's ice.

An ice fishing tip-up and a container of bait rest above a hole in the ice. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Andrew Meyers of the Wisconsin Fishing Team teaches a group of students how to ice fish at the first-ever educational Ice Fishing Derby on Lake Mendota near the Memorial Union Terrace.

Andrew Meyers of the Wisconsin Fishing Team teaches a group of students how to ice fish at the first-ever educational Ice Fishing Derby on Lake Mendota near the Memorial Union Terrace. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Participants walk a path lit by frozen luminaries on Lake Mendota near the Memorial Union Terrace.

Participants walk a path lit by frozen luminaries on Lake Mendota near the Memorial Union Terrace. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

Student Sarah LaBorde roasts five marshmallows at once to make s’mores over a bonfire on frozen Lake Mendota as part of the annual Wisconsin Union Winter Carnival.

Student Sarah LaBorde roasts five marshmallows at once to make s’mores over a bonfire on frozen Lake Mendota as part of the annual Wisconsin Union Winter Carnival. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

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