Winter Carnival canceled for 2021

SANDPOINT — There won’t be a Winter Carnival parade, music spilling out onto the streets to warm the chill of winter, or pups racing down the street pulling a keg or various sizes behind them.

With the state still being in Stage 2 of Rebound Idaho, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce officials have announced Winter Carnival events for 2021 were being canceled.

“With Idaho still being in Stage 2 and the safety of our community top of mind, the Winter Carnival committee has decided to cancel the Winter Carnival events for 2021,” chamber officials said in a press release.

Winter Carnival is typically held over Presidents Day weekend with events spread around the greater Sandpoint area. The event, long a community favorite, kicks off with a Parade of Lights and ends 10 days later with the infamous K-9 Keg Pull.

“Both of these events require city permitting and being in Stage 2, no permits can be issued,” chamber officials said.

The remaining events are typically organized and run by individual businesses in the area. However, in discussing Winter Carnival, committee members said in the press release that none of the local businesses wanted to take the chance of harming the public with exposure to COVID-19.

“Although it will be missed Winter Carnival will be back bigger and better in 2022,” officials said.

For more information, go online to www.facebook.com/sandpointshoppingdistrict or www.downtownsandpoint.com.