Eddie the Eagle makes appearances for Winter Carnival

Olympian ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, will make several appearances in Whitefish for Winter Carnival.

Edwards, a British ski jumper who in 1988 became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, is the grand marshal of the Grand Parade on Saturday, Feb. 3 for Winter Carnival.

Prior to the main Winter Carnival weekend, Edwards will also be at several events around town.

First, on Sunday, Jan. 28 he is set to attend the Winter Carnival Ski Joring event at Big Mountain Ranch.

Then on Tuesday, Jan. 30 he will be the guest speaker at Whitefish High School at 9 a.m.

From 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Firebrand Hotel he will be signing autographs. Then at 7 p.m. he will be on-hand for the free showing of the 2016 film “Eddie the Eagle” inspired by his story at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

On Friday, Feb. 2 he will attend the Winter Carnival Gala at Whitefish Lake Restaurant.

The main day for Winter Carnival events on Saturday, Feb. 3 when he is set to attend the Penguin Plunge at City Beech at 11 a.m., then appear in the Grand Parade at 3 p.m. as it makes its way downtown and finally attend the parade after party at 6 p.m. at the Firebrand Hotel.

On Sunday, Feb. 4 he is set to spend the day at Whitefish Mountain Resort and attend the Tommy Moe Race League awards.

Despite finishing last in two Olympic events in the Winter Olympics in Calgary, the self-taught and self-funded ski jumper Edwards catapulted to fame as the loveable underdog for his perseverance.

The theme for Winter Carnival this year of Fly Like An Eagle is a nod toward the nickname given to Edwards, and also a celebration of 70 years of skiing on Big Mountain.