Willow carnival is homegrown fun

One of the best things about life in the Mat-Su Borough is the way we grow our own fun.

Some of our local shindigs — like the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Iron Dog — trace their roots to the hardy volunteers here who first undertook to launch these events.

More than just local events today, both of these examples have earned international acclaim. The Iditarod is credited with keeping teams of sled dogs working in Alaska and the rest of the world. And the Iron Dog is the annual showcase for the roughest, toughest machines and competitors on the trail.

To us, it makes sense that both of these tests of man against his environment were born here, in our back yard.

There’s also the Alaska State Fair and its world-renowned Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off. We also celebrate Colony Days, both the summer and winter versions. We have Friday Flings and Second Saturdays and Cash Mob Thursday.

In part, these events are rooted in a past when the Parks and Glenn highways did not connect Anchorage, the Mat-Su and Fairbanks at highway speeds.

For most of Alaska’s history, the Alaska Railroad was the only way to get to Willow, Talkeetna and on to Fairbanks.

That brings us to one of our favorite local festivals, and perhaps one of the Mat-Su Borough’s best-kept wintertime secrets: Willow State Winter Carnival.

Look through old issues of the Frontiersman and you’ll find advertisements for seats on the Alaska Railroad’s round-trip special with turnaround in Talkeetna. A few locals have shared their memories of riding the train to the early days of the Willow carnival.

“Folks, you have not lived until you have danced in an AK RR box car moving down the tracks from Willow to Anchorage,” Rosemary Hanrath and Marianne Merrill wrote in their story of attending the carnival in 1968, shortly after moving to Alaska.

We understand that train car was outfitted with a Dixieland band complete with a piano player and a bit of straw on the floor.

At first glance, what may not be clear is this event also is the community’s main source of funding for local services, such as maintaining some 100 miles of trail in the West Gateway Trail System.

Today marks the start of the 52nd annual Willow State Winter Carnival. Consider making the drive. Maybe watch the Outhouse Races or compete in the ice cream eating contest, or the Talent or Not Show.

As funding mechanisms go, we think you’ll agree the Willow State Winter Carnival is the tastiest, wackiest, most fun you can have while helping to pay the tab for local services in the Willow community.

WHAT: Willow State Winter Carnival

WHEN: Jan. 25 to Jan. 27 and Feb. 2 and 3; Gates open at 9:30 a.m.; events begin at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Willow Community Center, Mile 69.5, Parks Highway.

COST: Parking costs $1 per vehicle

Events are online at bit.ly/WXI8Rf.