Ice carving, chili cookoff, and raffle winners announced
Iola was alive with excitement as residents and visitors gathered for the annual Iola Winter Carnival, held Feb. 6-8. The event showcased a vibrant mix of artistry, culinary competition, a Snow Bully Race, ski jumping competition, and community engagement that warmed the village despite chilly winter temperatures.
This year’s Ice Carving Competition was a feast for the eyes, featuring an incredible display of creativity, talent, and teamwork. Josh and Kristi Stacey took first place with their breathtaking butterfly sculpture, admired for its stunning detail and elegance. Second place went to Brian Moore of A2B Creations, whose festive gnome on skis captured both the winter spirit and personality. Brittney Langman claimed third with a whimsical hot air balloon floating over mountains, charming spectators with imagination and flair.
The Chili Walk Cookoff crowned The Iola Mills as the 2026 champion after 146 ballots were cast. The competition was fierce, with each stop offering its own delicious twist on the classic comfort dish. Carnival-goers enjoyed sampling a variety of recipes, and every cook had their share of fans, but The Iola Mills ultimately claimed chili glory — and bragging rights for the year ahead! It’s a back-to-back repeat for Iola Mills.
Adding to the festive spirit was the crowning of Delilah Kulinksi as Queen of the Snows, a highlight that brought smiles and applause from the crowd.
Raffle ticket winners rounded out the weekend’s excitement. Sue Tetzlaff of Iola took home the $500 grand prize, while Mike SeeKafe of Manawa and Gracey and Kurt Viertel of Stevens Point each won $250. Four additional winners — Julie Seering and Pat Odekirk of Iola, Peter Anderson, and Sara Wilcox of Scandinavia — each received $100. Wayne Pomuekne of Iola also won a $45 gift certificate to Odin & Freja’s Place.
For some nice coverage of the ski jumping, Brayden Dobbe’s piece “Iola ski jump tradition celebrates Norwegian heritage,” carried by WSAW, is a nice write-up and has video footage. You can view it here.
The kids’ ice fishing event reported 145 youth from 27 different communities. It went through 10 gallons of hot cocoa, 5 gallons of chili thanks to Too-Dars and Happy Daaze, 60 pounds of fried cheese curds, and 20 pounds of hot dogs!
The Iola Winter Carnival once again proved itself a beloved tradition, bringing neighbors together and celebrating the creativity and spirit that make the community special.
