Students will enjoy traditional Bavarian food, ice skate, and watch ice sculpture competitions during the Student Activities Board’s trip to Frankenmuth’s Snowfest on Sat. Jan. 28.

Students will leave campus at 8 a.m. and be back on campus around 6 p.m., according to Director of Student Activities Maddie Clark.

“Students will be able to get lunch, and have about three or four hours to mosey around and check it all out,” Clark said. “Frankenmuth’s Snowfest will include ice sculptures as well as ice skating and all sorts of vendors.”

This is SAB’s first trip to Frankenmuth, although the board has run trips to Detroit and Grand Rapids in the past.

“A lot of students go to Ann Arbor or Grand Rapids, or maybe even Toledo, but don’t spend an extra hour driving up to Frankenmuth,” Clark said. “It is a bit of a trek to drive up there, but this is also early enough in the semester that students are more available.”

SAB scheduled the event earlier in the semester, in the hope that more students would be able to attend, according to Clark.

“I feel like I still have time to go to Frankenmuth since we’ll only be two weeks into the semester, whereas later on I might not be able to go,” Junior Sarah Heinrichs said.

SAB will provide transportation via bus for students who are attending, although students may choose to take their own cars as well.

“I was originally planning on taking the bus, but I noticed on Zehnder’s website that there might be fireworks later that night, so I may end up driving myself,” Heinrichs said. 

Heinrichs has been to Frankenmuth in the past but has only visited in the summer.

“It’s a German town, and last time there was a lot of dancing,” Heinrichs said. “This time, I’m looking forward to ice skating and that sort of thing.”

Ninety-one students are presently signed up for the trip, and SAB is looking to get additional transportation for the trip. 

“Students will get a confirmation email to find out if they have a seat reserved on the bus, and we will email everyone else that signed up as well,” Clark said.

SAB will also be providing coupons for the students.

“One of our students has been in contact with the city of Frankenmuth, and they are going to give us some free coupons and a welcome bag for the students on the trip,” Clark said.

Junior Lydia Hilton said she is excited to experience Bavarian culture.

“I signed up for the Snowfest trip mostly because all of my friends are going and it sounded like a good social opportunity,” Junior Lydia Hilton said. “I have been to Czech festivals, but this will be my first Bavarian one.”