Winter Carnival sparkles as parade lights up the weekend

SANDPOINT — A winter nip may have been in the air, but the excitement and bright lights added a warmth and joy to the air as the Sandpoint Winter Carnival kicked off with the annual Parade of Lights.

Cheers and applause greeted each entry in the parade, which almost doubled in size over 2023's Winter Carnival Parade of Lights.

Now in its 52nd year, the annual event is set as a "sure antidote to cabin fever," as the 2025 iteration features both old favorites and new soon-to-be traditions. While Eichardt's annual K-9 Keg Pull caps the annual celebration of all things winter, the annual Winter Carnival celebration is kicked off with the always colorful and delightful Parade of Lights.

This year's parade featured everything from Girl Scouts leading the parade behind a police escort from the Sandpoint Police Department to floats by local businesses and a tractor-trailer celebrating North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center bedecked in lights.

There was a cheery snowman smiling from a flat-top trailer, complete with a top hat, a knitted scarf and cozy mittens; the Carousel of Smiles brought a Valentine's pony to the event, forming the perfect centerpiece to a snow globe; and dozens of trucks and floats lit with a colorful array of lights in varying amounts.

As parade participants left the city parking lot, cheers and applause broke out from those gathered along Church Street and Second Avenue. Bundled warm, families clapped and cheered as each of the groups made their way past, their faces lit by a variety of glow sticks.

Following the parade, many in the crowd made their way to Third Avenue between Oak and Cedar streets for a community block party, which made its return after a year's hiatus. There, entrants kept warm around a handful of firepits, which also served as the ideal spot to toast a marshmallow — some the perfect shade of golden brown and others … a little bit darker.

Others found their way to area restaurants like the Marigold Bistro, new to the Winter Carnival fun and offering a special Valentine's Day meal that set off this year's carnival theme of "romancing the snow" perfectly.

The fun continues today with a teatime serenade at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint at 2 p.m., a 6 p.m. bachelor and bachelorette auction at the Umpqua Bank building to raise funds for Miss Sandpoint USA’s trip to the Miss USA pageant, and a 7 p.m. showing of international wildlife films at The Hive to fund a trip by area students to the Dominican Republic to do marine restoration work.

In addition, Oscar-nominated shorts will be shown at the Panida Theater, and The Jauntee returns to the community with the band's long-awaited return to the 219 Lounge.

The second week of Winter Carnival fun kicks off Monday with the last day of a three-day holiday weekend with plenty of snow-related fun up on the mountain.

KRFY continues the fun with a live production of The Little Live Radio Hour as local musicians take over the Little Panida Theater, 302 N. First Ave. (If you're not one of the lucky few to make it inside, the show is broadcast live on 88.5 FM.) The show is a partnership between the Panida Theater and the Festival at Sandpoint.

It's only natural that the 219 would turn Feb. 19 into its own special day with specials and events all themed around 2/19. From classic rock to yacht rock, BTP will be hanging out of the Two-One-Niner to keep the good vibes going.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the fun heads to Panida Theater as "The Sled Hill," a new and hotly anticipated short film by Tanner French Films, tells the story of Sandpoint's historic sledding hill, part of the Pine Street Woods complex. The event kicks off at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m., with a pre-event mixer, followed by a showing of "The Sled Hill," followed by a showing of Patagonia's "Fire Lines."

Also on Thursday, Comin' Home The Band will perform its blend of acoustic, bluesy rock at Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak St., and there will be a paint and sip at Barrel 33.

Friday, the fun heads back up onto the mountain as Schweitzer hosts the Never Summer Snowboard Demo. Not interested in heading up the mountain? Don't worry, as there is plenty of town in Sandpoint proper as Nu Jack City brings its blend of Motown, soul and rhythm and blues to The Hive at 7 p.m., and Grateful Dead tribute band Spokane is Dead lights up the Panida beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Before you head up the mountain or to the show, head over to Pierce Auto for the annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival Chili Cookoff. Entries must be submitted by 3 p.m. as tasting runs from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Votes will be counted at 5 p.m., and the winner of the golden ladle will be announced shortly afterward. The top prize is $200, second place is $100, and third place is $50.

If you missed the demo fun on Friday, Never Summer Snowboard Demo returns for a second day on Saturday. For those who don't want to hit the slopes, the Cedar Street Bridge will celebrate its first anniversary of new ownership with a fun-filled family day. There will be plenty of games, face painting, specials, a hot cocoa bar, a photo booth, and plenty of fun.

In addition, Matchwood Brewing, Evans Brothers Coffee, and Toasty Mobile Saunas bring the carnival to the Granary District with ToastyFest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22; Big Phatty and the Inhalers come back to raise the roof with some classic rock at the 219.

Capping off the final day of the Winter Carnival on Sunday, Feb. 23, is the crowd favorite, Eichardt's K-9 Keg Pull, as dogs (and their owners) race down a snowy course on Cedar Street. The event, which raises funds for the Better Together Animal Alliance, opens registration at 10:15 a.m. with racing set to start at 11 a.m.

"Sandpoint at the North End of the Long Bridge," a classic film created to celebrate Sandpoint's centennial in 2001 by Oscar-winning cinematographer Erik Daarstad. The showing will be split into two parts, early and modern history, and viewers are invited to attend one or both. Presented by the Bonner County Historical Society and the Panida Theater, the film shows at the Panida. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with the film beginning at 1 p.m. 

Information: sandpointwintercarnival.com

    Carousel of Smiles volunteers ride on the nonprofit's float during Friday's Winter Carnival Parade of Lights.
  

    J.J. Wilcox and Courtney Tolley stay warm as they toast marshmallows to make s'mores at the Winter Carnival community block party following the Parade of Lights.
  

    A fire dancer performs at the Winter Carnival community block party.
  

    Mike Boeck and Dave Gunter of the Old Time Fiddlers are pictured as the group performs at a special Winter Carnival event on Saturday.