The 52nd Annual Iola Winter Carnival will be held February 2-3 and will include many family friendly events.
The ice sculpture contest begins Saturday morning at 8am, by the Nordic Viking carving, Vidar, in downtown, near the corner of State Street and Chet Krause Drive.
Other activities for Saturday include a Norwegian Lutefisk Supper and Indoor Craft Sale from 1-6:30 pm at the Iola-Scandanavia High School. The lutefisk and fresh cod with drawn butter will be served family-style, along with meatballs, potatoes, vegetable, lefse and Norwegian pastries. Tickets are $12 each and $5 for children under 12.
The Iola Twilight Snowshoe Race 5K and 10K, with a Kid’s 800m is a new event to the carnival. The races begin at 6 pm at the Iola Winter Sports Club (IWSC) Complex, located on County Road MM five miles northwest of Iola.
The Nordic Combined Cross-Country Race will begin at 9:30 am. and the Central USSA Ski Jumping event will begin at noon on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the IWSC Complex. Admission is charged for a souvenir button. Food and refreshments will be available.
There is a raffle during the weekend that is sponsored by Iola Lions, American Legion Post 14 and the IWSC. Prizes include $1,000, $500, $350, $250, 4 - $100.00 cash prizes and numerous merchandise prizes. The drawing will take place Sunday, Feb. 5, at the ski hill; winners need not be present to win.
