PHOTOS: Winter Carnival King and Queen coronation
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 8 months AGO
Queen of Snows Patricia Ryan, along with King Ullr LX Paul Coats, smiles after being named the 2019 Whitefish Winter Carnival royalty Saturday during a ceremony at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Winter Carnival 2019 Prime Kanyon Smith speaks alongside Duchess of Lark Christine Rossi Saturday during a ceremony announcing the Carnival King and Queen at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Outgoing royalty King Ullr LIX Paul Johannsen and Queen of Snows Lani Johnson receive applause as they enter the lobby of the O’Shaughnessy Center Saturday during a ceremony announcing the 2019 King and Queen. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Winter Carnival King Ullr LX Paul Coats speaks Saturday, while standing on stage with Queen of Snows Patricia Ryan, Prime Kanyon Smith and Duchess of Lark Christine Rossi during a ceremony at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Dressed in hippie attire, past Carnival royalty dance Saturday at the O’Shaughnessy Center following a ceremony announcing the 2019 Winter Carnival King and Queen. The theme for this year’s carnival is Woodstock Whitefish. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Outgoing royalty King Ullr LIX Paul Johannsen and Queen of Snows Lani Johnson knight 2019 Prime Kanyon Smith during a ceremony on Saturday at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Winter Carnival King Ullr LX Paul Coats dances his way to the stage after being announced as king for the 2019 Whitefish Winter Carnival Saturday during a ceremony at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
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 14, 2019 9:45 AM
Looking like they’d come straight from Woodstock, past Whitefish Winter Carnival royalty celebrated the announcement of this year’s King and Queen Saturday during a coronation ceremony Saturday at the O’Shaughnessy Center.
During the event, Paul Coats was named King Ullr LX and Patricia Ryan was crowned Queen of Snows. Both are longtime Whitefish volunteers and have been involved with Winter Carnival for many years.
Prime Kayon Smith and Duchess of Lark Christine Rossi were knighted during the event.
The theme for this year’s carnival is Woodstock Whitefish. The carnival is celebrating its 60th year.
Princess Freya and Prince Frey will be named Friday, Jan. 18 prior to the boys Bulldog basketball game, which begins at 7:30 p.m., at Whitefish High School.
Skijoring is planned Jan. 26-27.
The main carnival events take place Feb. 1-3 including the Penguin Plunge, a pie social and Grand Parade.
Carnival organizers are also looking for anyone who attended the 1969 Woodstock Festival so they can be in the Grand Parade on Feb. 2 and are asking them to call 249-0136.
For a complete list of activities, visit whitefishwintercarnival.com.
ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH
Kalispell resident advocates for more women in the trades after being crowned Mrs. America
Standing on the stage in Las Vegas, wearing a white formal gown accented with feathers on one shoulder, Qadra Evans gripped hands with a fellow competitor.
Whitefish mulls updates to community growth plan
Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider updates to its community plan including language that looks to protect the historic character of its downtown amid state requirements allowing buildings up to 60 feet in height in certain zoning districts.
Timeless petals: Garden cultivates flowers with longtime connection to Flathead Valley
The garden is the work of the Montana Dahlia Society and volunteers who spent spring days constructing and planting, and summer days tending to the flowers that have risen from cloth garden bags.