Snow flurries, chilly temperatures and mild winds can be expected during this year’s annual Winter Festival, but that won’t stop the festivities.

The annual festival will be held Wednesday on Central Campus, beginning at 5 p.m.

Winter Festival, formerly called the Festival of Lights, is an ISU tradition. The festival started in 1914 and has been held every year since, except for during World War I and II.

“We think about what would celebrate winter, the end of the semester and the community,” said Laura Bestler-Wilcox, program coordinator for the Memorial Union and one of many people who helped coordinate Winter Festival.

Many student organizations helped put together the event this year, including Student Volunteer Services, Student Alumni Leadership Council, Veishea, the Government of the Student Body and the Student Union Board.

The pre-illumination ceremony will start at 5 p.m. with music from Tin-Shi Tam, Campanile carillonneur. and assistant professor of music.

Campanile tours will be available after the music. Luminaries, provided by Freshman Council, will be lit around campus.

The illumination ceremony will be held on the west lawn of Curtiss Hall, starting at 5:15 p.m. There will be a welcome from GSB President Angela Groh, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco. Cy will lead a sing-along of winter-themed songs.

The Campanile, Marston Water Tower, the Memorial Union and the “century tree” – which is in front of Beardshear Hall – will all be lit at the same time by special guests Jack Henry and Timothy Weber, Iowa State Dance Marathon children.

The University Book Store will have a winter open house and Cy will be there to pose for photos. There will be a floral sale in the foyer of the University Book Store throughout the day, sponsored by the Horticulture Club.

Hay rides, sponsored by the Student Union Board, will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. around Central Campus, starting at the Farm House Museum and ending at the Memorial Union.

The Farm House Museum, which will continue its normal viewing hours from noon to 4 p.m., will extend its hours to include 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and close all floors but the main level. Decked out in a Victorian holiday theme, the Museum will also offer warm apple-cranberry drinks to visitors.

“In past years, when the weather was mild, we had 400 to 500 visitors,” said Eleanor Ostendorf, University Museums program assistant, who has been with the Farm House Museum for the past 15 years.

Cookie decorating, provided by ISU Dining, will be held in the Memorial Union Commons and begin at 5:45 p.m.

There will also be storytelling for kids in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union, global stage performances in the Great Hall and live bands at the Maintenance Shop.

All of the activities, except for the shows at the M-Shop, are provided free of charge and will last from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.