The Winter Carnival Weekend kicks off Saturday, February 6th at 8:00 a.m. with an Ice Sculpture Contest—everyone is welcome to enter.  Contact Marsha Mueller by calling 715-445-2411 at the Iola-Scandinavia High School Art Department, to register.

The Iola Lake District will sponsor an Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday for children ages 16 and under.  The event will run from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Lake Iola.

The annual Badger State Games Ski Jumping competition is held in conjunction with the Iola Winter Carnival.  Opening ceremonies are slated for Saturday at 12 noon.  Food and refreshments are available.

Other activities for Saturday include a Norwegian Lutefisk Supper and Indoor Craft Sale at the Iola-Scandinavia High School from 1:00 – 6:30 p.m.  The lutefisk and fresh cod with drawn butter will be served family style, along with meatballs, potatoes, vegetable, lefse, and Norwegian pastries.  Tickets are $12.00 each and $5.00 for children under 12.

On Sunday February 7^th at 9:30 a.m. the Nordic Combined cross-country race will start.  At 12:00 noon the Central USSA Ski Jumping event will take place.  Admission is charged for a souvenir button.  Food and refreshments will be available. All ski events are located at the Iola Ski Jumping Complex located at E398 County Rd. MM—five miles northwest of the Village of Iola.

There is a raffle during the weekend that is sponsored by Iola Lions, American Legion Post 14 and the Iola Winter Sports Club.  Prizes being offered include $1,000, $500, $250, $250, 3 – $100.00 cash prizes and 2 – $100.00 Savings Bonds as well as numerous merchandise prizes.  Drawing will take place Sunday, February 7th and winners need not be present to win.

Plan your weekend now for a fun winter event at the Iola Winter Carnival, February 6-7, 2010.  For more information you can write/call PO Box 1, Iola, WI  54945.  715-445-4005.