Willow has hosted this annual winter festival for more than 50 years. The carnival draws crowds and media coverage from all over Alaska and is a fun event for tourists to experience with a full schedule of events in the dead of winter. The carnival boasts one of the state’s biggest winter fireworks shows, Iditarod qualifying sled dog races, homesteading competitions, $1000 bingo cash pots, talent contests, foot and ski races, entertainment, kids games, a cribbage tournament, and food.

The Willow State Winter Carnival is also a primary fundraising event for the Willow Area Community Council. Funds raised from the carnival support culturally valued groups and activities through the maintenance of the Willow Community Center.

Schedule Of Events:

Saturday, January 25, 2025

10 - 3 PM - Su Dog 300 Sled Dog Race - Parking Lot
10 - 3 PM - Kitchen Open - Auditorium
6:00 PM - Doors open, kitchen open
 – light refreshments - Auditorium
7:00 PM Bingo & Pull Tabs - Auditorium

Monday January 27, 2025
Su Dog Soup Tasng Contest - Auditorium

Tuesday January 28, 2025
6:00 PM - Su Dog Winners and Banquet - Auditorium

Friday, January 31, 2025
5:00 PM - Quick Art Draw - Stage
5:00 PM - Silent Art Aucon Auditorium
6:00 PM - Kick-O Dinner - Auditorium
6:45 PM - King and Queen Presented - Stage
7:15 PM - Fireworks Show - Lake

Saturday, February 1, 2025
8:00 AM - PTA Breakfast - Willow School
9 - 3 PM - Tentave Kiddee Snocross
10:30 AM - 10:30 Sven Eriksson 25K Tour -
 Bike, Ski, Run Lake & Trails
11:00 AM - Whee Duet - Stage
11:00 AM - Billy Taylor 5k Ski - Lake
11 - 4:PM - GeocacheAK Search - Backyard
11:30 AM - Kids Sled Dog Race 1-2-3 - Lake
12:00 PM - Calypso Steel Drums - Stage
12:00 PM - Homesteader Games - Chain Saw, Crosscut Saw, Swede Saw - Backyard
1:00 PM - Kids Mushing Game - Old Log Cabin
1:00 PM - Lead Dog Contest - Lake
1:00 PM - Matanuska Beat - Stage
1 - 4:PM - Kids Games - Backyard
1:30 PM - Rosewood Trio - Stage
2:00 PM - Nave Youth Olympics Demonstraon Stage
2:00 PM - Skijoring Races - Lake/Trails
2:30 PM - Stampede Race - Lake
3:00 PM - Photo contest winners Stage
3:00 PM - Paws and Taws Square Dance - Stage
3:45 PM - Ice Cream Eang Contest - Stage
4:00 PM - Ladies 5 mi/5 Dog Twilight Sled Dog Race - Lake

Sunday, February 2, 2025
8 - 11 AM - PTA Breakfast - Willow School
10:00 AM - Borealis Dancers - Stage
10 - 1 PM - Poker Run - Lake/Trails
11:00 AM - Alaska Polka Chips - Stage
11 - 3 PM - Vintage Show and Shine -Backyard/Trails
11:30 - Buon Box Gang - Stage
12:00 PM - In-person Rae Ticket Sales Completed Lobby
12:00 PM - Close Enough Stage
12:00 PM - Homesteader Games - Backyard Ax Throw, Wood Chop
12:00 PM - Snowshoe Scavenger Hunt Pavilion
12 - 2 PM - Radar Run Snow Machine Race - Lake
12 - 2 PM - Blind Driver Snow Machine Race - Lake
12:30 PM - Craig Walls - Stage
1 - 3 PM - Kids Games - Backyard
1:00 PM - Outhouse Races
1:00 PM - Cribbage Tournament, Single Eliminaon - Auditorium
1:30 PM - Barony of Selviergard of the
Society for Creave Anachronism - Stage
2:00 PM - Pie & Dessert Scholarship Aucon - Stage
2:50 PM - Homesteader Awards - Stage
3:05 PM - Mini Rae Drawings - WACO Table
3:30 PM - Major Rae Drawings - Stage
4:00 PM - Pike Derby Winners - Stage

February 7, 2025
6-10PM - Fire and Ice Family Dance - Auditorium
Willow-Caswell Fire Department Auxiliary

Date: January 25 - February 7, 2025

Location:
Willow Community Center
Mile 69 Parks Highway
Willow, AK 99688

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