Loyola University had 20 tons of snow dropped on its green campus Dec. 6. University Programming Board sponsored “Snow at Loyno” to try and excite students whom have never seen snow, or just love snow in general.

Director of UPB, marketing junior Scott Bryars adapted the idea from LSU. Bryars project about 200 students to attend the event.

“I think it’s going to be the biggest event,” Bryars said before the event. “And everything’s free for Loyola students.”

UPB reported that “Snow at Loyno” had approximately 20 tons of snow spread across the horseshoe about five inches high.

At the event, snow wasn’t the only attraction drawing students. Other events that took place around the snow were pictures with Santa Claus, viewing of the movie Elf, ornament making and hot chocolate and cookies to make the setting of snow appear more realistic.

A countdown started at 6:59 pm, as many people anticipated jumping in the snow. Criminal justice sophomore Mary Erler said, “Immediately there was a bunch of people playing in the snow.”

The snow, Bryars said, came from Pelican Ice and resembled the ice in a snowball. According to the UPB event proposal, the event cost $3,750.

“We had an 18-wheeler pump the snow into the horseshoe,” said Bryars. Later, Bryars said the snow will be left in the horseshoe to melt.

Since the event was directly off of St. Charles Avenue, Bryars said, University Police was there to facilitate just in case any problems with non-students arose. Having non-students is “a risk we have to take,” Bryars said.

“Plenty of kids showed up to play in the snow … but the snow was very interesting and it was a good time,” Erler said.

UPB president Braxton Bernard, marketing junior, said even though there were many obstacles, “Everyone on the board was really excited.”

“I think this is a great event and hopefully a tradition at Loyola,” he said.

Rachel Funel can be contacted at [email protected].