The sun helped warm brave plungers as they leapt into the icy water of Whitefish Lake on the final Saturday of the Whitefish Winter Carnival. This year's theme, Viva Las Vegas, was an easy fit, according to Paul Johannsen, the chair of the carnival committee. This is the 55th year of the carnival, and 55 in Roman numerals is LV. Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, made an appearance as the Grand Marshal of the parade.
Greg Lindstrom
Wayne Newton blows a kiss to the crowd during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Gabe Spencer takes a picture of Neal Lund, dressed as a Las Vegas showgirl, as he kisses a cardboard cutout of Elvis before the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers react to cold water at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers react to cold water at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers take to the icy water of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers react to cold water at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers take to the icy water of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Spectators watch as swimmers react to cold water at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Ice builds up on Stryder Claridge's beard as he helps swimmers out of the icy water at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Timber, the FVCC mascot, hands out sunglasses at the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Aspen Yaeck, 7, and Connor Johnston pet Sparky, Ron Eckert's horse, at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Wayne Newton waves to the crowd during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Bee Bickel, left, and other Viking Divas parade down Central Avenue at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Bickel helped form the Viking Divas 16 years ago. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Jack Fairchild performs rope tricks during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers take to the icy water of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Timber, the FVCC mascot, reacts as swimmers jump in icy water during the Penguin Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Swimmers take to the icy water of Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge during the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Thousands of spectators line Central Avenue for the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Wayne Newton waves to the crowd during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Wayne Newton waves to the crowd during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Connie Rudie dresses to match her horse, Starshine, during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Jack Fairchild performs rope tricks during the parade at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Susanne Lucas waves to the crowd as she parades with the Knotty Nymphs at the 55th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
