“Come out and have some fun!” 61st Annual Willow Carnival kicks off this weekend

This weekend mark the first weekend for the 61st annual Willow State Winter Carnival, and it also marks a return to the first full carnival schedule since the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed events in 2020.

“This will be our first full Carnival since 2020, so it will be quite exciting, inside and outside!” said Willow Carnival Committee member Brenda McCain.

The theme this year is “Year of the Snowmachine,” something Linda Oxley, the Chairperson for the carnival says is something so very much in keeping with Willow and Alaska.

“Willow is often known for dog sledding, but we also welcome the snow machiners! We have awesome trails out here and the weather is awesome!”

Oxley says many of the activities throughout the carnival will have a nod to snow machining, including the Snow and Shine Vintage Snowmachine Parade, Blind Driver Snowmachine Competition, and the Snowmachine Radar Run Competition.

Last year, the carnival was held later in March, and conditions were sometimes difficult with hungry moose impacting some trail races and weather conditions hampering some activities as well. Oxley feels confident that this is a perfect time for people to come out and have fun.

“The trails are magnificent, the snow is just right, and the lake conditions have been good this year. We really think this is a great time to hold the carnival.”

The schedule includes 2 full weekends of outdoor fun, homesteading activities, arts and entertainment.

“One thing we are really excited about is for the first time ever, we have a snow carver demonstration,” said Oxley. The inaugural event features local snow and ice carver Scott Thompson, who will be doing a full carving and a demonstration.

“There will also be a chance for kids and adults to try their hand at it, a good way to introduce the sport to others. It will be very fun.”

Other popular events include the Sven Erikssen 25K Tour, Wild Pike Derby, Snowshoe Scavenger Hunt, and of course, what Willow Carnival would be complete without the annual Outhouse Race or Ice Cream Eating Contest!

“There are teams signed up for the Outhouse Race, and what a great way to gear up for the Rondy event than by competing out here,” said Oxley, who added that there will be cash prizes for the top 3 finishers in the Outhouse Race.

“There will also be some dog mushing events for the kids, where they will have a chance to race, and the geocaching will get people out on the trails with a special set of activities for this event.”

Another popular activity that wraps up with the Willow Carnival is the Pike Derby, sponsored by Alaska Wild River Adventures.

“They collected 300 pounds of pike last year,” said Oxley, who added that the goal is to get the pike out of the water.

Oxley is also excited to have a full schedule of Homesteader Games this year.

“We are excited, because we get to bring back all the fun things-the chainsaw, the Swede saw, the Crosscut saw-it’s going to be fun. And we’re bringing back the Axe throwing which was really fun last year.”

There will be a variety of live music and stage events, from the Alaska Polka Chips and Whee Duet to the Paws and Taws Square Dance, Rock On Cloggers, and the Alaska Celtic Pipe and Drums.

For those who may have had a little too much snow-packed fun or just want to slow down and warm up for a while, there are indoor activities too. There will be a Cribbage Tournament, classes about composting and growing veggies in Alaska, a photography display and contest, and the annual pie and dessert auction.

In addition, Oxley says that 3 local churches in town that will be taking turns to sponsor kids’ activities.

The festivities kick off this Friday, February 17 with the Kick-Off Dinner, Silent Auction, and the announcing of the Willow King and Queen. And just announced is a fireworks show off of the Willow Lake starting at 7:15 pm.

Doors will re-open Saturday morning with a PTA pancake breakfast at Willow Elementary School, starting at 8:00 am.

“We are just so excited to be the host of the Willow State Winter Carnival. We invite everyone to come out and have some fun in Willow!”

For more information and to see a full schedule of events, please visit www.waco-ak.org