Next week will present the 56th Annual Whitefish Winter Carnival featuring this year’s theme “America the Beautiful - Honoring Veterans,” offering locals and visitors unique ways to celebrate winter with quirky Whitefish traditions.
National Geographic named the Whitefish Winter Carnival one of the “Top 10 Winter Carnivals in the World” in 2012.
“The community response to the theme honoring Veterans has been truly exciting. It’s a great thrill for the carnival board to feature our men and women of the military this year,” stated Whitefish Winter Carnival Chair Paul Johannsen.
Winter Carnival events kicked off in early January with the Merry Maker event, where the Prime Minister Luke Walrath and Duchess of Lark Linda Ray were introduced to King Ullr LVI. King Ullr LVI Lin Akey and Queen of Snows Anita Welch were coronated on Saturday, Jan. 17.
The Feb. 6 – 8 weekend festivities kick off with the Winter Carnival Gala at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant on Friday night. Saturday features the Penguin Plunge, when a hole is cut into Whitefish Lake and participants take a dip to raise funds for Montana Special Olympics. That afternoon will feature an old fashioned Main Street parade, pie social, x-country ski race, hockey tournament, figure skating demonstration and more.
The Grand Parade on Saturday, Feb. 7 will feature nearly 25 veterans as Grand Marshalls representing the Navy, Marine Corp, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard and every conflict from World War II to Desert Storm. Other Grand Marshalls will include representatives of the Montana National Guard and local VFW posts. The Grand Marshalls will follow the Whitefish Winter Carnival float and royalty in the parade riding in red, white and blue vehicles.
Sunday culminates with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast.
The festivities are open to the public and most are free of charge although Winter Carnival buttons are encouraged.
For more information about Whitefish Winter Carnival visit www.whitefishwintercarnival.com.