It's a beach party

“We have snow!” Alyson Sneddon, chair of the Sierra Madre Winter Carnival said excitedly of this year’s festival.

Because mother nature has provided early and sustained snows in the bottom of the Valley, sled racing and human saucer bowling are back for the 2016 festivities. “Come on down and play,” Sneddon said.

Over $2,500 in prize money is up for grabs this year for events like the treasure hunt, the Sixth Street Sprint, sledding, saucer bowling, snow golf, the bread cook-off and the chili cook-off. New at the chili cook-off this year is the white chili division, which is being added to the red and green chili competitions.

Sneddon has put out a challenge to come beat her on her Red Wagon sled during the sled races.

Children are also a focus of this year’s Winter Carnival. Another new event this year is the Children’s Art workshop on Friday from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Grand Encampment Opera House. Children will have an opportunity to do crafts with a winter theme. The workshop is sponsored by the Platte Valley Arts Council.

The winners of the annual button contest have already been decided with Kassidy Barr taking first place, Kamry Knotwell placing second and Lexi Herring coming in third.

The Sierra Madre Winter Carnival kicks off at 2 p.m. on Friday with the children’s art workshop followed by the treasure hunt and dinner at 6 p.m. Event registration for Saturday events starts at 9 a.m. at 8th and Rankin in Encampment.

The local Veterans of Foreign Wars will keep you warm between events at the Presbyterian Church with an all you can eat Chili Feed from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Registration for all events in the afternoon is at 12:45 p.m. at Grand View Park

Events include the:

Chili and Bread Cook-off begins at 1:15 p.m., following by the Sixth Street Sprint at 2 p.m. and Snow Golf at 3 p.m.

Casino Night is at 7 p.m. at the Grand Encampment Opera House. This year, it has a new sponsor, the Grand Encampment Museum.

Participants must be 21 years old to play.

There is a separate charge for the VFW Chili Feed and the Casino Night.