Home » News » Around Waupaca County » Celebrating Norwegian heritage

Celebrating Norwegian heritage

The 54th annual Iola Winter Carnival will be held Feb. 7-8 in Iola.

The 2015 Queen of Snows will be chosen from the Iola Winter Carnival Court, which includes Megan Mazemke, Kylie Johnson, Jane Oligney and Madelynn Russ.

All four are seniors at Iola-Scandinavia High School.

Megan Mazemke

“The strong Norwegian heritage in our community truly shines Winter Carnival weekend,” said Megan Mazemke. “It brings our community together.”

Her extracurricular activities include volleyball, basketball, track and Student Council. She is president of the Iola Leo’s Club.

Mazemke has been waitressing at the Lutefisk Supper since she was in elementary school.

“I love to hear all of the stories from previous winter carnivals and I look forward to continuing this tradition,” she said.

She is the daughter of Michael and Brenda Mazemke, of Iola.

Kylie Johnson

“The Iola Winter Carnival allows the community to work together as many volunteers take time to make it a huge success and hopefully a growing tradition,” said Kylie Johnson.

At school, she participates in basketball, softball, volleyball, Student Council, National Honor Society, and bowling.

Johnson has volunteered as a waitress for the Norwegian Lutefisk Supper for the past three years. During the past year, she has accumulated 21 total hours of community service.

“Each and every day I seek to help others before I begin to help myself,” she said.

Johnson credits her parents, Kevin and Wendy Johnson, of Iola, and her younger sister Kendall, with helping to “shape me into the happy, responsible and thoughtful young lady that I have become.”

Madelynn Russ

Madelynn Russ describes the Iola Winter Carnival as a “great community tradition for many reasons.”

“It is amazing to see the various activities throughout the weekend and the support the volunteers give,” she said. “Everyone works together to put on an amazing event that all ages can enjoy.”

In school, she participates in basketball, Student Council, Leo’s, Band, Marching Band, Polka Band and Art Crew.

Russ has helped with the Lutefisk Supper since she was in the fifth grade. Her other community service includes volunteering at the Iola Old Car Show, Share-A-Tea, Vacation Bible School and at Young Impressions.

“I love meeting new people and hearing their unique and even sometimes funny stories that they have to tell,” she said.

She is the daughter of Todd and Dixie Anderson, of Iola.

Jane Oligney

“Ever since I was a young girl ski jumping off the five meter, I knew that the Iola Winter Carnival was an amazing place for all,” Jane Oligney said. “The Winter Carnival gives everyone the opportunity to experience the beautiful town that we call home.”

Her extracurricular activities include basketball, softball, cross country, softball, coaching and band. She is a member of Student Council and National Honor Society.

Oligney’s goal is to help continue the Winter Carnival’s tradition of leadership, hard work and honesty.

She plans to major in pre-med at Kirkwood College.

She is the daughter of Darrell and Julie Oligney, of Iola.

Winter Carnival events

The Iola Winter Carnival includes a craft fair, ski jumping, ice fishing, ice sculpting and a Norwegian Lutefisk Supper.

The Norwegian Lutefisk Supper and Indoor Craft Sale are held from 1-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Iola-Scandinavia High School.

The cost for the supper is $14 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Served family-style, the menu includes lutefisk, cod, meatballs, potatoes, vegetable, lefse and Norwegian pastries.

There is no cost to attend the craft fair.

The Queen of Snows will be crowned at 2 p.m. at the I-S High School.

The Ice Sculpting Contest will be held from 8 a.m. to noon outside the I-S High School.

The Kids Ice Fishing Contest for children 16 and under will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Lake Iola. For more information, call Jerry Harvancik at 715-445-1215.

Saturday events at the Iola Winter Sports Club include skijoring at 2 p.m. and the Iola Twilight Snowshoe Race at 6 p.m.

The Central Ski Jumping Championships will begin at noon on Sunday, Feb. 8, on Norseman Hill at the IWSC complex located five miles northwest of Iola on county Road MM. Admission is $5.

For more information on the ski events, call 715-445-3411 or visit www.iolawintersportsclub.org.

A grand prize of $1,000 is offered in the 54th annual Iola Winter Carnival Raffle. The other cash prizes start with $500 for second place on down to $100 for 11th place, plus over 100 other cash and merchandise items.

Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and are available at local businesses or from participating club members.

The raffle drawing will be held during the awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the ski hill. Winners do not need to be present.

The Iola Winter Carnival is sponsored by Iola Lions Club, American Legion Sheveland-Taylor Post 14, Iola Winter Sports Club, Iola Lioness Club and Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce.

Scroll to Top