Carnival theme goes south of the border
Whitefish Winter Carnival-goers will be treated to an explosion of bright colors and probably a fair number of sombreros and maracas as the carnival celebrates “Fiesta Pescado Blanco” this weekend.
Carnival events culminate with a full day of activities on Saturday, starting with the annual kiddie carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whitefish Middle School gymnasium.
The Penguin Plunge at 11 a.m. at City Beach is another crowd-pleaser. Courageous participants plunge into the icy water to raise money for Special Olympics.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, folks can eat pie and listen to jazz music at St. Charles Catholic Church.
The grand parade at 3 p.m. is the centerpiece of the day. The parade route begins at Whitefish High School, goes west down Second Street, then veers north on Spokane Avenue before wrapping around to Central Avenue.
The Black Star Beer Barter, in its second year, will begin after the parade at 5 p.m. on Railway Street near Great Northern Brewery. Contestants will show a panel of judges and carnival spectators what they would do or trade for a year’s supply of Black Star Beer — 52 cases of the double-hopped golden lager.
At 7:30 p.m. Great Northern Brewing Co. celebrates its 17th anniversary party with dancing to live music by the Lil’ Smokies. A special anniversary black lager has been brewed for the celebration.
Whitefish Mountain Resort’s annual torchlight parade and fireworks display start at 7 p.m. on Big Mountain. Ski instructors and Ski Patrol members ski down Ed’s Run at the ski resort.
The Whitefish International Hockey Tournament starts Friday at Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish and continues all day Saturday and Sunday morning.
Other activities include a gala dinner, “Fiesta de la Noche,” starting with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m., with a silent auction afterwards. John Dunnigan will perform. Tickets are $50 and are available at the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce office.
The Whitefish Art Walk continues through Feb. 11, with local artists’ work displayed at more than 30 businesses throughout Whitefish.
The final carnival event is the Rotary pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Whitefish Moose Lodge. The cost is $8 per person.