From Bigfoot and Nessie to Angels aglow with brightly colored wigs and lights adorning their wings, the 50th iteration of the Winter Carnival parade was as weird as it was wonderful.

About a dozen floats took part in the annual Winter Carnival parade, taking the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce up on its invitation to come "get lit" for the parade. Sponsored by Ting Internet, the Friday night parade kicks off the two-week festival and features a host of activities from family-friendly events like the parade to music concerts and everything in between.

The fun continues today with the Winter One Acts, the culmination of Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theater's student theater program. Led by LPO Rep's education director, Courtney Roberts, more than 70 students are involved in the series of fairy tale one-act plays.

Performances will be held at 4 and 7 p.m. today at the Panida. A $10 donation is suggested, with all proceeds going to LPO Rep's education program.

Tonight, Birds of Play and Heat Speak perform at the Heartwood Center, the 219 hosts the Desperate 8's, KOSH performs at the Pend d'Oreille Winery and the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint hosts two Residing Artists shows, the first at 3 p.m., and a second at 7 p.m.

At Schweitzer, the fun includes tubing, a village campfire, a hosted snowshoe hike, Nastar racing, and more. Downtown, the Cedar Street Bridge is offering winter spiced cider and snacks as well as children's activities.

However, the weekend's events are just the start, with downtown businesses offering specials, and musical celebrations planned throughout the week.

Among the highlights are John Firshi performing at Eichardt's on Wednesday, Feb. 22; Endless Switchbacks performing at MickDuff's Beer Hall on Thursday; Pierce Auto's annual Winter Carnival chili cook-off on Friday, Feb. 24, and the International Wildlife Film Festival on Friday at the Heartwood Center and the Justyn Priest Trio at Eichardt's, also on Friday.

Wrapping up the fun is the fan favorite Eichardt's K9 Keg Pull on Sunday, Feb. 26. Same-day registration begins at 10:15 a.m. and racing begins at 11 a.m. with dogs of all sizes invited to races. Proceeds from the fan-favorite event benefit the Better Together Animal Alliance.

For a full calendar of Winter Carnival events, and to download a parade registration form, go online to sandpointwintercarnival.com, or call the chamber at 208-263-2161 for more information.