Wassail will flow freely in Columbus Friday, and a few fanciful characters will come to life to ring in the season. A double bill of festive events presented by Main Street Columbus and Mississippi University for Women will infuse the Golden Triangle with a bit of Winter Wonderland — and plenty of the hot, mulled cider associated with Olde England’s Yuletide. Merrymaking begins with Wassail Fest in downtown Columbus from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and continues with Wassail at The W from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Pohl Gymnasium.
Advanced baking students at the university’s Culinary Arts Institute were tasked with developing a tasty showpiece for MUW’s event. When brainstorming began, suggestions were tossed into the hat, then discarded, until one idea in particular sparked the imagination of everyone involved — a Snow Queen bedecked in a billowing skirt of cupcakes. A rather retro concept inspired the design — those cake toppers of yesteryear, doe-eyed dolls dressed in hoop skirts of icing. MUW Chef Instructor Mary Helen Hawkins remembers her own mother making them for birthday celebrations. The notion of reinterpreting the concept for Wassail at The W originated with Hawkins’ daughter Mallory, an MUW student.
“Everybody fell in love with the idea,” said Chef Hawkins. “The excitement was growing and growing.”
Advanced Baking student Amanda Gibbons of Caledonia drew up plans for woodworkers to go by in building the dress structure.
MUW Physical Plant staff James Traywick and Randy Strickland constructed the Snow Queen’s gown, a cascading three-quarter circle of wooden shelves to hold cupcakes for guests to enjoy.
“It was a pretty unusual project,” Traywick said. “We had a picture to go by and we just figured it out. It’s one of those projects you just want to do to see if you can.”
Baking bonanza
How many cupcakes will it take to make the Snow Queen’s attire sweet? Hawkins estimates at least 1,000, not only to fill the gown, but to resupply it throughout the evening. Culinary students will also bake up about 3,000 cookies. Hot chocolate and ice blue cotton candy will be on hand as well.
Kristin Lynch has played a significant role in helping choreograph the project. The Madison, Alabama, native is a senior culinary arts student.
“Chef Mary Helen is really good about encouraging students in picking something we’re inspired about and excited about. The whole class got lit up about this.”
Anne Albert will portray the Snow Queen Friday. The culinary arts senior expects to be at her post in the cupcake skirt for up to four hours.
“I really like the idea of this year’s theme for Wassail at The W; it’s going to be so pretty,” the Memphis, Tennessee, student commented. “I especially look forward to interacting with kids.”
Wassail night highlights
Friday festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with Wassail Fest downtown. Twenty participating merchants will battle for the coveted People’s Choice award for best wassail. Shoppers in the historic downtown district can visit with Santa and enjoy caroling by the group Sweet Adeline. Until 8 p.m., stores will host special holiday activities and demonstrations and offer door prizes.
Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow said, “Main Street is very appreciative of our sponsors: The W, DEX Imaging, Zachary’s, The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Visit Columbus. It’s a great time to do some Christmas shopping, sample delicious wassail, be a part of selecting the 2015 Wassail Meister, dine in one of our great downtown restaurants and just enjoy the season.”
Following Wassail Fest, merrymakers can drive, walk or take Columbus’ double decker bus to The W’s Pohl Gym where, in addition to meeting the Snow Queen and her Ice Princess, highlights include an indoor ice skating rink, music, children’s crafts, carriage and wagon rides and, of course Jolly St. Nick and Miz Claus. Director of Gifts and Special Events Angela Ferraez and Director of Resource Management Angie Atkins spearhead The W event.
For more information about Wassail Fest downtown, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305, or email [email protected].
For additional details about Wassail at The W, contact the MUW Office of Development & Alumni, 662-329-7148, or email [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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