E.L. Winter Bowl provides free holiday entertainment

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As 7-year-old Cody Funkhouser roasted his marshmallow over an open fire pit, his mom, East Lansing resident Lisa Funkhouser, sat bundled up, enjoying the winter festivities.

Lisa Funkhouser said this was her first time attending East Lansing’s Winter Bowl — an event that began about 10 years ago — and she and Cody were enjoying the free activities.

The Winter Bowl brought thousands of people to the downtown area for winter activities, which included a chili and soup cook-off, carriage rides and ice carving. The event was hosted by the city of East Lansing in partnership with MSU’s University Activities Board, or UAB.

“Free holiday entertainment is fantastic,” Lisa Funkhouser said. “East Lansing is great about providing these types of things. They’re great opportunities for people to come downtown for free, no matter what their economic status is.”

Before the event, East Lansing Community Events Assistant Michelle Carlson estimated about 3,000 would attend. Fundraising covers most of the costs of the event, but sponsors and the city also cover a small portion, she said. This year, the city raised about $6,000.

Carlson said in the more than 10 years since Winter Bowl began, the festival has grown from a small gathering in the Mariott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave., to a festival spanning from the Ann Street parking plaza, located at the corner of Abbot Road and Ann Street, to inside the hotel.

This is the third year UAB has co-sponsored the event. Carlson said UAB is important in drawing MSU students to the festival.

“It increases the traffic and visibility to the downtown, which in the end will contribute to the overall downtown,” Carlson said. “People come in and shop, get something to eat and it’s good for everyone.”

Cathy Fitzpatrick, assistant manager with the University Activities Office, said UAB makes both a financial and volunteer contribution. She said the event is a perfect way for students to get their minds off finals and enjoy some winter activities.

Although the chili and soup cook-off was one of the main events, there were various activities for everyone. Lansing resident Chris VanZwoll came with members of the All-of-Us Express Children’s Theatre, 819 Abbot Road. The group sang carols and enjoyed activities such as roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa.

“People are likely to come out to this because everything is free and cheap,” VanZwoll said. “They’re having a good time and you don’t get to do this sort of thing very often.”

Community Relations Coalition, or CRC, internship coordinator Chris Sell, who was working at the marshmallow roasting booth, said student turnout was good this year.

“A lot of the students find it really convenient because it’s so close to campus and it’s a great time,” Sell said.

Hospitality business freshman Kelli Etsler, hospitality business sophomore Meghan Clark and accounting freshman Liz Camp said their resident mentor in Shaw Hall told them about the event. They said they enjoyed petting the reindeer and the smell of the fire.

Clark and Etsler said their hometowns didn’t have winter festivals like the Winter Bowl. Clark, who is a native of the Washington, D.C., area, said she liked that East Lansing offers community events such as the Winter Bowl.

“We don’t have this where I come from,” Clark said. “Outside of the actual (Washington, D.C.) stuff — I’m from a suburb — we don’t have this kind of stuff.”

For students and residents alike, Sell said it’s a good way to get the community together and celebrate.

“It’s a wonderful time to jump-start the holiday spirit,” he said.

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