Games, contests, old Carhartts at Willow carnival

Jan. 23, 2007

By Russell Stigall

Frontiersman

WILLOW - Warm up the bunny boots for the 46th annual &#8220cabin fever reliever” Willow Winter Carnival.

Began in 1961, the carnival was organized as a community get-together and a break for the long and lonely winters of rural Alaska.

It is now an annual 10-day event with Alaska-style games, crafts and activities

This year's carnival runs Friday through Feb. 2, and boasts activities not seen at previous Willow carnivals, said Pat Madigan, Willow Area Community Organization secretary.

Two big changes are the Radar Run and the vintage snowmobile show.

For the Radar Run, a snowmachine trail will be set up along the lake and officials will gauge the machines' speeds with a radar gun.

Vintage snowmobile lovers can see late 1960s and early 1970s models from Willow resident Ted Schachle and his wife, Valerie Schachle. The Schachles encourage vintage snowmobile owners to bring and show their own specimens, too.

Carnival organizers have added more family fun to the 46th carnival. Both Saturdays will be kids' days, where kids can play special games and take part in children's activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some of the added activities were made possible by the addition of more carnival organizers.

Traditionally, the chair of the Willow Area Community Organization ran the whole show - one person taking on an entire carnival.

&#8220And it is way too much,” Madigan said.

Now, every WACO board member is on the carnival committee.

Carnival organizers invite attendees to the kick-off dinner the evening of the first day, Madigan said.

Diners will get to fill their bellies with the cooking of Delaina Burrow.

&#8220She has the enviable task of cooking for over 200 people,” Madigan said.

Dinner choices are prime rib or vegetarian. Children eat for half price.

Fireworks will follow dinner. Gorilla Fireworks, Mat Valley Federal Credit Union, EZ Trailers and Houston Lions have offered to pony up the cash for the pyrotechnics, and it's sure to be a blast.

Proceeds from the event support the unincorporated community and cover the operating costs of the Willow Community Center.

Most activities will take place at the center, Mile 69.7 Parks Hwy.

The Willow Area Community Organization is the borough-recognized community council and is responsible for paying bills and the day-to-day upkeep of the facility.

&#8220And this is a major fund-raiser. It is getting pretty expensive to keep the building running,” Madigan said.

Unique competitions will pepper Willow's party.

A pair of old work jeans can win prizes for carnival-goers in the Most Abused Carhartts Contest.

&#8220I've heard people save their Carhartts for years for this,” Madigan said.

Judges also will vote on carnival-goers' beards. But contestants shouldn't worry too much about the aesthetics.

&#8220I don't think it is a particularly objective decision,” Madigan said.

Attendees also can find an outlet for their competitive nature in the Outhouse Challenge.

Contestants build an outhouse and race with a person on the throne. To keep the outhouse carriers from getting pooped, it is best to find the lightest passenger and lightest construction material, Madigan said.

Dog drivers will have a chance to compete again this year in the 200-mile and 300-mile Don Bowers dogsled race. The race leaves from the community center Friday morning.

Airman, author and dog driver Don Bowers started a 200- and 300-mile combined race in early 2000.

Later, Bowers was killed in an aviation accident. Volunteers continued his Willow race and renamed it his memory. Bowers was a member of Montana Creek Dog Mushers Association.

More information about the Bowers memorial race can be found at www.mcdma.org. The race is a qualifier for the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest.

Madigan said she and the other carnival volunteers would like to see more people visit from Anchorage. Finishing in early February, the Willow Winter Carnival is a great starter to the Fur Rendezvous season, she said.

For more information, interested people can visit the Willow Area Community Organization Web site at www.

waco-ak.org.

Contact Russell Stigall at

352-2267 or russell.stigall@

frontiersman.com