Willow and ready: Susitna Valley prepares for 64th annual winter carnival

What you need to know:

• The 64th annual Willow State Winter Carnival will be held over two weekends (Jan. 23–25 and Jan. 30–Feb. 1) at the Willow Community Center and Willow Lake, featuring a wide range of family-friendly events, games, food, and live music.
• Singer-songwriter Jamie Hansen will headline the carnival with concerts on both Friday and Saturday of the first weekend, complementing other popular events like sled dog races, homesteader games, fireworks, and the outhouse race.
• Organizers expect strong turnout, with better weather than last year, dozens of vendors, and most activities free or low-cost. This year’s theme, “Year of the Patriots,” marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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In many ways, the Willow State Winter Carnival defies description. It’s not a music festival or vendor fair, not an athletic competition or banquet, not a family reunion or snowmachine meetup.

Yes, all of those things will take place over the next two weekends on — and alongside — Willow Lake. But really, it’s simpler than that, said carnival committee chair Danielle Barve.

“It’s just a good time,” Barve said last week as organizers finalized plans for the 64th annual Susitna Valley bash.

The longtime community event will include a variety of family-friendly activities Jan. 23-25 and Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Willow Community Center. There will be raffles, music, games, performances, local artisans, and friendly competitions designed to appeal to just about anyone. Barve said the annual carnival, hosted by the Willow Area Community Organization, is expected to draw hundreds of people from across the Mat-Su and beyond.

“It’s something people really look forward to.”

This year’s carnival is headlined by Jamie Hansen, a singer-songwriter from Wyoming who describes her music as “backcountry pop” — a style that should fit right in at a carnival that includes sled dog races, homesteader games and an outhouse race.

“I’m really excited for the concert,” Barve said.

Hansen will open the carnival with a concert Friday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. She’ll return for a second show Saturday at 3 p.m., on a day that also includes a kids bake sale in the afternoon and the always-popular bingo night starting at 6 p.m. Friday’s concert is $10, while Saturday’s is $7.

Sunday will feature mini golf, ice bowling, and a family potluck, with a “Talent or Not Show” wrapping up opening weekend at 6 p.m.

Things really blast off Friday, Jan. 30, with a kickoff dinner (including the announcement of the carnival king and queen) at 6 p.m. and the big fireworks show at 7:15 p.m.

It’s full speed ahead after that, with a full slate of events all day Saturday and Sunday spread between three main locations: “stage events” inside the community center, where there will be music and cultural presentations; “backyard events” behind the center; and “lake events” out on the frozen ice of Willow Lake. Many of last year’s events had to be canceled due to poor weather, but Barve said conditions this year are looking much better.

“There’s definitely plenty of ice,” she said.

Saturday kicks off with a pancake feed from 8 to 11 a.m. Other highlights include the Sven Erickson 5K ski race, skijoring races, homesteader games, an ice cream eating contest, sled dog races and a fire and ice family dance starting at 6 p.m.

The final day of the carnival is all about the snowmachines, with a vintage snowmachine show, kids’ sno-cross, and a poker run scheduled, along with more homesteader games, the outhouse race (always a fan favorite), a cute baby contest, and a pie auction. The final day wraps up with contest and raffle winners at 3:50 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Year of the Patriots” in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Local artist Shaun Rees created the official carnival poster, and it is very Willow; it features a sunglasses-wearing sourdough riding a bull moose in front of Denali while carrying Alaska and U.S. flags past a vintage snowmachine.

Most carnival contests and events are free, and participants can sign up at the carnival, but others do require preregistration. Barve said folks seeking more information can check out the winter carnival’s event page on Facebook or visit the WACO website.

Barve is especially looking forward to the food, particularly the offerings from the Carnival Kitchen hosted by Raven Lunatics, which include a full menu of food such as specialty burgers, breakfast items, tacos, and more.

Parking at the center is $1 per car. Barve said approximately 30 vendors are expected to set up shop inside the community center, which will be jam-packed with booths, games, and events for the entire family.

“There is a lot happening,” Barve said.

Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Write to him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.