Winter Carnival heats up Whitefish this weekend

The Daily Inter Lake

Whitefish will put a wrap on its 50th annual Winter Carnival this weekend with a busy agenda built around the theme, "Fables, Frivolity & Fairytales."

A few extras have been added to commemorate the golden anniversary, including a display of historic carnival memorabilia at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and a penguin display at Nelson Hardware in downtown Whitefish.

Commemorative posters are for sale. As a fundraiser, Stumptown Historical Society is selling $5 keepsake posters featuring a painting of the famous carnival penguins. Posters are available at the museum in the Whitefish train depot. Jean Halverson, who is employed by the historical society through the Experience Works program, painted the celebratory watercolor.

A second poster featuring all of the carnival buttons since 1960 is for sale at Whitefish Gift & Gear and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. Graphic artist Hillary Smith made the poster, which incidentally features 51 buttons. In 1976 two buttons were issued because the first one had the wrong dates, Smith said.

A feature of the parade on Saturday will be four floats carrying dozens of past carnival royalty. They're serving as grand marshals of the parade. Susan Abell, a past Queen of the Snows, has coordinated a reunion for returning royalty, and said she has 77 people coming from as far away as Tennessee and Alaska.

"There's been an absolutely super response," Abell said.

The floats will park between Third and Fourth Street so that the carnival alumni can watch the rest of the parade and visit with the public afterwards.

Carnival buttons are required for most events and are available at most businesses in Whitefish. Here's a rundown of the remaining Winter Carnival events:

Friday

n Whitefish International Hockey Tournament - at Stumptown Ice Den on Friday evening, Saturday all day and Sunday morning; call 863-2477.

n Wounded Warrior Project no-host reception for visiting severely injured servicemen - 4 p.m. at the Bierstube at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

n Frivolity Ball, annual gala dinner dance - 7:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake; tickets are $40 and available at Whitefish Chamber of Commerce; live music; carnival button required.

Saturday

n Whitefish International Hockey Tournament - all day

n Kiddie Carnival - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Whitefish Middle School gymnasium.

n Yeti Snowskate Jam - 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kiddie Park (Fifth Street and Central Avenue). Warm up and practice for all competitors from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; deadline for registration and competitor check-in at 11 a.m.; competition for 10-and-under and beginner category from 1 to 3 p.m.; park closed for grooming and testing during parade from 3 to 4 p.m.; warm-up for intermediate, advanced and expert competitors from 4 to 4:30 p.m.; competition for intermediate, advanced and expert categories from 4:40 to 7 p.m.; open snowskate jam follows for all competitors; call Willie Hobbs at 862-3303

n Penguin Plunge - 12:30 p.m. at City Beach on Whitefish Lake; fundraiser for Special Olympics; registration begins at 10 a.m.. Call Judy Gephart at 863-8888 for more information or go to www.somt.org

n St. Charles Pie Social - Starts at noon at St. Charles Catholic Church on Baker Avenue.

n Book Signing for "Rocky Mountain Snow Ghosts' - 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at Stumptown Art Studio on Central Avenue. Author Patty Hirst will sign copies of her children's book.

n Grand parade - 3 p.m. in downtown Whitefish, featuring floats, animal groups, dancers, drill teams, royalty and many more. To register or for information call Allison Deaver, 862-0301, or pick up application at Chamber office.

n Snow Drags, Snow Cross & More! - 3 to 10 p.m. at Montana Raceway Park south of Whitefish. Open to riders 8 years and up, with $20 entry fee; spectators pay $5; food and beer concessions on the grounds; sponsored byFlathead Valley Snowmobile Association and Montana Raceway Park. Call 257-7223.

n Golden Agers food and entertainment - 4 to 7 p.m., chili, roll, cookie and drink for $5 at Golden Agers Community Center, 121 Second St.; prizes and family entertainment.

n Winter Carnival torchlight parade and fireworks display - 7 p.m. at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Ski instructors and patrol ski down Ed's Run.

n Royal Rendezvous - 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Whitefish Moose Lodge.

Sunday

n Whitefish International Hockey Tournament.

n Nordic ski race - 1 to 6 p.m. at Whitefish Lake Golf Course; registration from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.; 1K and 3K begin at 1 p.m. with Winter Carnival royalty starting the race. Entry fee $5 for juniors, $10 for adults and $20 per family; for information call 862-2113.