Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 1.22.13

6 | JANUARY 22, 2014 SPECIAL FEATURE FLATHEADBEACON.COM

WHITEFISH WINTER CARNIVAL

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WINTER FESTIVALS IS PICKING UP STEAM IN THE FLATHEAD

I

t’s almost February, and for more than 50 years in the

Flathead, that means it’s just about time for a king, a queen,

a smattering of yetis, horses pulling skiers over jumps,

human-sized penguins, a plunge into the freezing water of
Whiteish Lake, and all sorts of way to shake of winter’s cabin

fever.

Whiteish Winter Carnival LV is here, with the main weekend

of festivities taking place from Feb. 7-9. National Geographic has

hailed the carnival as one of the “Top 10 winter festivals” in the
world, and Frodor’s Travel listed it as one of the North America’s

Best Winter Snow Sport Festivals.

But don’t take their word for it: Find out for yourself why the

Whiteish Winter Carnival is going into its 55th year, and is only
getting better. Here are the basics of what you should know.
King Mark Svennungsen and Queen Sue Schenck are announced during the Winter Carnival King and
Queen Coronation in Whiteish last week. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON

THE LEGEND
THE BEER BARTER

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The winter carnival started 55 years What would you do or trade for a

ago as a way for residents to get out of year’s supply of beer from the Great JAN. 24: Frey and Freya coronation ceremony at Whiteish High School, 7 p.m.
their houses and socialize with their Northern Brewing Company?
neighbors during the cold, dark Flat- That’s the question the brewery has JAN. 25-26: Whiteish Skijoring World Championships. For details, see story on
head winter. The whole event is based been asking carnival revelers for four page 54.
around the legend of the god Ullr, his years, leading to extraordinary feats FEB. 7: Gala Party at Whiteish Lake Restaurant, 6 p.m. Tickets are $55, and avail-
Snow Queen, and their Prime Minister, of talent and shocking displays of com- able at the Whiteish Chamber of Commerce.
who are rumored to live on Big Moun- mitment to good beer during the annual
tain.
Beer Barter and Talent Show.
FEB. 8:
• Penguin Plunge, 11 a.m., Whiteish City Beach: Brave revelers will jump into the
Ullr, the Queen and the Prime Min- Whoever presents the most compel- icy waters of Whiteish Lake to kick of the Saturday festivities.
ister had searched for years for some- ling trade or talent will win 52 cases of
where to settle, and found the Flathead’s the brewery’s beer: Wheatish Wheat • St. Charles Pie Social, 1 p.m., St. Charles Catholic Church
beauty to be the perfect setting. Even- Lager, Going to the Sun IPA, and Wild • Grand Parade, 3 p.m., downtown Whiteish: One of the best parades of the year,
tually, humans came to the valley, and Huckleberry Wheat Lager. That’s 24
at irst the winter god was wary. But he beers a week, and 1,248 beers for the be sure to catch the Grand Parade for all the creative loats built for the Viva
found out the humans treated him as year.
Las Vegas theme. There will be a lot of celebrators downtown, which is sure to
attract the yetis.
a patron saint for their winter celebra- Previous competitions have includ- • Beer Barter, 4:30 p.m., Great Northern Brewing Company: The barter takes
tions, so he disguised himself as a hu- ed ire dancers, an aerial silk dancer, a place after the parade.
man and stopped by one of their parties.
couple who ofered to trade their live
Ullr found he liked the people of the yak, oferings from wood workers, and • Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, 7 p.m., Whiteish Mountain Resort: The folks
Flathead, and each winter, he, the Queen plenty more.
on Big Mountain get into the action with an exciting parade of torch-bearing
and the Prime Minister grace Whiteish Giving away the brewery’s lineup of skiers and boarders, followed by awesome ireworks.
with their presence, celebrating the win- beer is a change from previous barters,
ter with the townsfolk. But the king and according to the brewery, which traded FEB. 9: Rotary Pancake Breakfast, Moose Lodge, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

queen aren’t alone on the Big – on the for a year of Black Star Beer. Another big
other side of the mountain, yetis stir, change in this year’s barter is the oppor-
and hope to cause mischief and disrupt THE THEME
and delightful loats in the Grand Pa- tunity for pre-registration, instead of
the festivals. The yetis also attempt to rade. Johannsen said there is still plenty just registering on the day of the show.
capture the Queen of the Snows, but are of space for more loats in the parade, And following the barter, the brew-
warded of each year by Ullr and his loy- To keep the event fresh, and to sharp- and anyone interested should visit the ery will host a party in the Draught
al followers, which includes a feisty band en the creative skills in the Flathead Val- carnival’s website at www.whiteishwin- House to celebrate its 19th anniversary,

of Valkyries.
ley, each winter carnival has a theme. tercarnival.com to either sign up online which will include plenty of toasts, live
This year, Ullr takes form in Mark This year, it is Viva Las Vegas. Paul Jo- or download an application. There is also music and entertainment.
Svennungsen, and the Queen of the hannsen, the chair of the carnival com- a list of parade ordinances available.
Anyone interested in participating
Snows is Sue Schenck. John Peschel is mittee, said it was an easy it since this And what would a Las Vegas theme in the barter and talent show should call
the Prime Minister, and Miriam Lewis is the 55th year of the carnival, and 55 in be without Mr. Las Vegas himself? Jessica Lucey at the brewery, at 406-
is the Duchess of Lark.
Roman numerals is LV.
Check out page 7 for info on this year’s 862-1000, ex. 2. For more information
Having a theme to each party helps Grand Marshal, the one and only Wayne on the brewery, visit www.greatnorth-
keep revelers in the present, and it also Newton.
ernbrewing.com.

provides an opportunity for some crazy