Whitefish Winter Carnival Float Wins at Calgary Stampede

By Molly Priddy, 7-15-11

	Caption: Winners! - photo courtesy of Doug Reed

Here's some fun news about the Whitefish Winter Carnival (I swear I'm not wishing away our precious summer):

A float dedicated to the wonder and delightful weirdness that is the Whitefish Winter Carnival won some great prizes at the Calgary Stampede parade this month. The float won first place for municipal float and third place for Western entry, "thanks in large part to the costume groups," a press release says.

Well, for those of us who have witnessed the Winter Carnival, winning because of costumes makes total sense: there are penguins, yetis, royalty and more.

Here are some details from the winning float:

o The record-breaking crowd of spectators was estimated at over 425,000! (obviously due to Prince William & Kate being in attendance)
o Whitefish won the 1st place for Municipal float and 3rd place for Western entry, thanks in large part to the costume groups.
o We were featured on two live television programs and interviewed by AM talk radio show.
o Energy that thrilled the throngs of spectators.
o Riding on the float were King Ullr and Queen of the Snows (Jim and Lisa Stack standing in for Bart and Carol Erickson), Prime Minister Doug Reed, Princess Freya Hailey Vasquez and Duchess of Lark (Kate King standing in for Betsi Morrison since she was busy with the Alpine Theatre Project show that day).
o Costume groups marched along the float in the parade including two Yetis, four Viking Divas and two dancing Mountain Men.
o Yetis held signs that read “Only 146 days to ski season” and “Pray for snow”

If you're so inclined, video of the parade can be seen here.

Congratulations to the Winter Carnival team; thanks for representing the Flathead with style! [End of article]