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Winter Carnival events begin

HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 11 months AGO
by HEIDI DESCH
Heidi Desch is features editor and covers Flathead County for the Daily Inter Lake. She previously served as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, spending 10 years at the newspaper and earning honors as best weekly newspaper in Montana. She was a reporter for the Hungry Horse News and has served as interim editor for The Western News and Bigfork Eagle. She is a graduate of the University of Montana. She can be reached at [email protected] or 406-758-4421. | January 6, 2017 9:46 AM

There’s always the yetis and penguins. But for this year’s Whitefish Winter Carnival, there should be some even more unique characters right from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book wandering the streets.

The 58th annual Winter Carnival kicks off with a theme of “One Fish, Two Fish, Whitefish.” This year, the Carnival’s main events fall Feb. 3-5.

This year’s theme is a nod to the many colorful Dr. Seuss children books. The author penned classics such as “Green Eggs and Ham,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “One Fish Two Fish,” and “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

Paul Johannsen, Carnival board member, said it’s a fun theme this year.

“I think we should get lots of good floats and costumes [in the parade],” he said.

The month-long lead up to Carnival weekend begins Saturday with the always raucous Merry Maker at the Moose Lodge at 6 p.m. This annual roast of Whitefish is when the new Prime Minister and Duchess of Lark are revealed.

The coronation of King Ullr and the Queen of Snows is Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center, followed by the Disco Party. Frey and Freya are crowned Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Whitefish High School basketball game.

The World Invitational Whitefish Ski Joring races will take place Jan. 28 and 29 at the Whitefish Municipal Airport.

The Gala is Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant.

The main day for the Carnival is Saturday, Feb. 4. The Penguin Plunge is at 11 a.m. at City Beach, followed by a pie social at 12:30 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church. The Grand Parade makes its way through downtown beginning at 3 p.m.

Wrapping up events on Sunday, Feb. 5, the Rotary club hosts a pancake breakfast at the Moose Lodge from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.whitefishwintercarnival.com.

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