Eddie the Eagle makes appearances for Winter Carnival
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 6 months AGO
Thousands of spectators line Central Avenue in Whitefish for the Winter Carnival Grand Parade. (Pilot file photo)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | January 26, 2018 8:23 AM
Olympian ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, will make several appearances in Whitefish for Winter Carnival.
Edwards, a British ski jumper who in 1988 became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, is the grand marshal of the Grand Parade on Saturday, Feb. 3 for Winter Carnival.
Prior to the main Winter Carnival weekend, Edwards will also be at several events around town.
First, on Sunday, Jan. 28 he is set to attend the Winter Carnival Ski Joring event at Big Mountain Ranch.
Then on Tuesday, Jan. 30 he will be the guest speaker at Whitefish High School at 9 a.m.
From 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Firebrand Hotel he will be signing autographs. Then at 7 p.m. he will be on-hand for the free showing of the 2016 film “Eddie the Eagle” inspired by his story at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.
On Friday, Feb. 2 he will attend the Winter Carnival Gala at Whitefish Lake Restaurant.
The main day for Winter Carnival events on Saturday, Feb. 3 when he is set to attend the Penguin Plunge at City Beech at 11 a.m., then appear in the Grand Parade at 3 p.m. as it makes its way downtown and finally attend the parade after party at 6 p.m. at the Firebrand Hotel.
On Sunday, Feb. 4 he is set to spend the day at Whitefish Mountain Resort and attend the Tommy Moe Race League awards.
Despite finishing last in two Olympic events in the Winter Olympics in Calgary, the self-taught and self-funded ski jumper Edwards catapulted to fame as the loveable underdog for his perseverance.
The theme for Winter Carnival this year of Fly Like An Eagle is a nod toward the nickname given to Edwards, and also a celebration of 70 years of skiing on Big Mountain.
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