One of Whitefish’s largest, longest-running and most popular annual events, Winter Carnival brings yetis and penguins, royalty and Vikings, horses, skijorers, music and always a surprise or two. This year’s Carnival, themed “America the Beautiful: Honoring Veterans,” promises to be no exception.

The fun and frivolity of Winter Carnival season began Jan. 10 with the Merry Maker, where Prime Minister LVI, Luke Walrath, and the Duchess of Lark, Linda Ray, were announced. Jan. 17 marked the Coronation of King Ullr LVI, Lin Akey, and his Queen of the Snows, Anita Welch. Prince Frey, Sam Stevenson, and Princess Freya, Nikita Packard, were crowned on Jan. 24, just in time for the skijoring event the same weekend.

This weekend, Feb. 6-8, the Carnival culminates with a series of events to celebrate the season.

The Gala

On Friday the weekend of fun kicks off with the Winter Carnival Gala at 6 p.m. at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Tickets at $60 per person and can be purchased at the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. A Carnival button is also required.

Penguin Plunge

The Penguin Plunge is an opportunity for the community to raise funds for the Special Olympics Montana athletes by collecting pledges to jump into the freezing water of Whitefish Lake. Check-in for Plungers begins at 8:30 a.m. at Whitefish City Beach. The Plunge will begin at 11 a.m. and an awards ceremony will follow at about 12:30 p.m. To find out more about registering or donating, call 216-5327.

Veterans Outreach

The Whitefish Veterans Support Team will host an outreach event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Whitefish Middle School lobby. Montana Veterans Affairs, the VFW, Montana Veterans Home, Flathead Valley Community College Veterans Association and many others will have representatives at this event.

Kiddie Carnival

The Whitefish High School Key Club will host their annual Kiddie Carnival at the Whitefish Middle School gym from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. This community tradition provides fun and safe activities for elementary-age children during the annual Winter Carnival.

Pie Social

The St. Charles Catholic Church will hold a pie social from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The church is located at 230 Baker Ave., Whitefish.

Windows on Whitefish

The final Window on Whitefish mosaic, a project of Stumptown Art Studio, will be unveiled Saturday at 2 p.m. at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street in downtown Whitefish.

Grand Parade

The Grand Parade is the highlight of Winter Carnival. It begins this year at 3 p.m. Saturday, and the route follows Second Street to Spokane Avenue, then turns onto Central Avenue in front of Depot Park and continues through downtown to Third Street. The Grand Marshals will be more than 20 veterans, with all military branches represented.

Pancake Breakfast

The Carnival will conclude at the Rotary Club’s pancake breakfast on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will be held at the Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St.

For more information on these events, to learn about the history of the Whitefish Winter Carnival or to follow the feud between the royal court and the yetis, visit www.whitefishwintercarnival.com or www.facebook.com/WhitefishWinterCarnival.

Carnival buttons can be purchased at many stores and restaurants in Whitefish or through the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 307 Spokane Ave., suite 103, in Whitefish, or 862-3501.