Weekend event set for Feb. 1-3
By Holly Neumann
The 58th annual Iola Winter Carnival comes to town on Feb. 1 -3.
A highlight is the traditional Norwegian Lutefisk Supper to be held from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Iola-Scandinavia High School.
“This offers an endless plate of lutefisk,” said Chairman Mike Mazemke. “However, it is the hand-rolled Norwegian meatballs and an excellent cod dinner that tend to draw attendees.”
What is lutefisk?
“Lutefisk, or dried cod treated with lye, must surely be the strangest culinary effort credited to the Norwegians, but what a treat when prepared properly,” said Mazemke. “Everyone of course is not a devotee of lutefisk, but those who are defend it vehemently. Others go to the opposite extreme and claim it’s a national disgrace.”
The dinner is served family style and comes complete with potatoes, corn, coleslaw, cranberries, lefse, Norwegian pastries, milk or water and endless cups coffee.
“Good conversation makes for an excellent experience,” Mazemke said. “And our claim to fame is that rarely, if ever, do we run out of food.”
The crowning of the Queen of Snows will take place at 3 p.m. at the Iola-Scandinavia High School, during the Norwegian Lutefisk Supper.
The 2019 Winter Carnival Court includes Payton Wester, Emily Wolfgram, Makenna Brown, Sophie Gullixon and Haley Ullom.
Other weekend activities will include the following:
Friday, Feb. 1
• Iola Snow Bully Fat Tire bike races, 6 p.m. at the Iola Winter Sports Complex .
Saturday, Feb. 2
• Ice Sculpting, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Iola-Scandinavia High School.
• Children’s Ice Fishing Contest, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Lake Iola.
• Norwegian Lutefisk Supper and Craft Fair, 1-6 p.m., at the Iola Scandinavia High School.
• Skijoring, 1 p.m., Iola Winter Sports Club.
• Crowning the Queen of Snows, 3 p.m., at the Iola Scandinavia High School.
• Twilight Snowshoe Race, 6 p.m., Iola Winter Sports Complex.
Sunday, Feb. 3
• Central Ski Jumping Championship, noon, Iola Winter Sports Complex.
More information can be found on the Iola Winter Carnival Facebook page.