By Iola Winter Carnival

The 60th Annual Iola Winter Carnival (IWC), set for Feb. 5-7, 2021, has been cancelled. This includes all of the events related to it: Snow Bully Fat Bike Race, Norwegian Lutefisk Supper, Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce Craft Show, ice-sculpting contest, skijouring, snowshoe race, kid’s ice fishing contest on Lake Iola, Snow Princess/Queen event, and Winter Carnival raffle.

“One of the biggest issues is the fact that the supper and the craft show are held in the I-S High School cafeteria and gym. Social distancing would be impossible among the volunteer workers, vendors and attendees,” noted Mike Mazemke, acting IWC chair. “Plus the school’s own needs take precedence over the carnival’s events there.”

Out at the Iola Winter Sports Club, the annual ski jumping competition (not a part of the Winter Carnival) held on Sunday of Iola Winter Carnival, has also been cancelled by the organization that puts it on – Central Division Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined. That organization has cancelled all of its events for 2021.

Individuals will still be allowed to cross-country ski, snowshoe and skijour on the IWSC trails.

The Iola Winter Carnival is put on by a number of organizations such as Iola Lioness, American Legion Post 14, I-S School District, Iola Winter Sports Club, Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce, and Tracey Ambacher Jr. in conjunction with the Iola Lake District.