Spectacle of center ring comes to Whitefish Winter Carnival this weekend

Enjoy all the frivolity under the big top and beyond as Whitefish puts on the Winter Carnival this weekend with the theme of “The Greatest Show.”  

The 65th annual event culminates with a variety of events. Be on the lookout for the usual cast of characters like penguins and yetis, but who knows if acrobats, a fire-eater and elephants join in the fun this year when the Grand Parade with its circus theme makes its way through downtown at 3 p.m. Saturday. 

Winter Carnival festivities began as a way to break up the long winter. Events began small and have grown throughout the decades to draw thousands to downtown Whitefish. 

Here’s the rundown of the happenings:

Saturday, Feb. 3

Penguin Plunge — 11 a.m. Take a dip in Whitefish Lake’s icy waters for a good cause at City Beach. The plunge is a Law Enforcement Torch Run signature event that benefits Special Olympics Montana which provides opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit https://www.classy.org/campaign/2024-penguin-plunge/c529804 or call (406) 315-4212.

Pie Social — 12:30 to 3 p.m. Grab a slice of homemade pie and warm up with hot coffee, for sale at St. Charles Parish, 230 Baker Ave.

Kiddie Carnival — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Whitefish High School Leo Club hosts the carnival event full of activities for both children and community members at the Whitefish Middle School gym, 600 E. Second St. 

Grand Parade — 3 p.m. The Carnival weekend reaches its peak with the Grand Parade through downtown. Watch for penguins, yetis and Viking divas wandering down the parade route, along with many colorful floats decorated for the Greatest Show. The parade route follows Second Street to Spokane Avenue, then turns onto Central Avenue in front of Depot Park before exiting on Third Street.

Post Parade Social — After the parade, stop by the Firebrand Hotel, at 650 E Third St., for the post parade social for more frivolity.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Rotary Pancake Breakfast — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St. All-you-can-eat pancakes with all the trimmings for $10, benefiting Rotary’s charitable contributions. All veterans with military ID and their families eat free.