After the hustle and bustle of the Christmas and holiday season–“shopping, shopping, SHOPPING,” as that one favorite Christmas tune goes—it’s easy for the winter doldrums to set in. But if you’ve lived in Idaho long, you’ve no doubt heard of one of our signature annual events, which is sure to break you out of your funk: the McCall Winter Carnival. Every snow season, this mountain town earns its reputation for wintry fun with festivities that date all the way back to the 1920s, and are nailed down to perfection with parades, snow sculptures, snow sports, ice skating, music, food, and a host of other chilly favorites.
This year, the festival will be held January 27-February 4 with the theme of “1 Valley, 100 Years,” in celebration of Valley County’s Centennial. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Every winter, the tiny, snowy town of McCall (population 2925) transforms from a winter wonderland into a wintry party in the snow.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
Specifically, with the Winter Carnival, which draws thousands of visitors every year.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook The celebration was inspired by the Payette Lake Winter Games, first held in 1924 when a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to McCall. The official McCall Winter Carnival started in the 1960s and over the years has evolved into the largest winter festival in the state.
It all starts with an epic fireworks show over the lake.
MCCall Winter Carnival/Facebook As Payette Lake freezes over for the winter, it makes the perfect launching ground for the opening ceremony for this spectacular winter festival.
Signature events ensure that visitors feel both welcome and entertained… and of course that they’ll fall in love with all things winter all over again.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook The Polar Plunge is one unique event that is delightfully frigid to watch.
Other spectator events include the adorable Monster Dog Pull– a miniature weighted sled race for pups of all sizes.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook The MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter’s Monster Dog Pull has a participant registration of $15 and proceeds benefit the shelter.
The spectacular Mardi Gras Parade downtown.
MCCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
And of course, the festivals main attraction: a statewide snow sculpture competition.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook From recreations of McCall’s own lake monster, to throwback cartoon characters, movie sets, and more, you never know what sort of delights Idaho’s creative hands will craft around the year’s theme. Sculptures are scattered throughout the town, with maps available so visitors can stroll around at their own pace.
But if trudging through the snow isn’t your style, ice skating, a beer garden, a kids’ Torchlight parade, arts and crafts fair, and so much more will be taking place all week long.
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
Until finally, the closing ceremony concludes the celebration with a second fireworks show over the water, and a late night party.
Gary Ertter Photography/McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook It’s just about perfect in every way.
For more details about 2017’s McCall Winter Carnival, or to check out the full events list, be sure to check out their Facebook page to stay up to date. Guaranteed, this will become your new favorite family tradition!
McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
The celebration was inspired by the Payette Lake Winter Games, first held in 1924 when a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to McCall. The official McCall Winter Carnival started in the 1960s and over the years has evolved into the largest winter festival in the state.
MCCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
As Payette Lake freezes over for the winter, it makes the perfect launching ground for the opening ceremony for this spectacular winter festival.
The Polar Plunge is one unique event that is delightfully frigid to watch.
The MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter’s Monster Dog Pull has a participant registration of $15 and proceeds benefit the shelter.
From recreations of McCall’s own lake monster, to throwback cartoon characters, movie sets, and more, you never know what sort of delights Idaho’s creative hands will craft around the year’s theme. Sculptures are scattered throughout the town, with maps available so visitors can stroll around at their own pace.
Gary Ertter Photography/McCall Winter Carnival/Facebook
It’s just about perfect in every way.
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