January 20, 2023 |
The 36th Annual Sierra Madre Winter Carnival in Encampment starts next week, January 27th and 28th.
The two-day festival takes place on the last Friday and Saturday of the month. Alyx Munson, the chairperson for the winter carnival, has helmed the event for the past four years. Munson described some of the activities offered this year.
The first day of the Winter Carnival ends with a treasure hunt. Starting at 7 p.m., Friday the 27th, Munson said teams search for information around town. The fastest team wins money.
Each year’s treasure hunt features a different theme. As of the writing of this story, Munson said she hadn’t decided what the theme for 2023’s clue will be. The winter carnival organizer talked about a previous year’s hunt.
Munson said Penny Walters and Candy Moulton, of Grandma’s Cabin, helped with research. Grandma’s Cabin is a local charity dedicated to preserving the area’s history and helping the community, specifically by donating to the Encampment school.
The Sierra Madre Winter Carnival will be capped off with a Casino Night. Held at 7 p.m. on Saturday the 28th, Munson said the gaming event is put on by a separate group of volunteers, and unaffiliated with the winter carnival. Proceeds go to support Grandma’s Cabin and the Vorn family, who lost their house in a fire before Thanksgiving.
Munson isn’t a one woman show. She said she receives help organizing and setting up the Sierra Madre Winter Carnival.
Prize money is provided by the Platte Valley Arts Council. Visit the Town of Encampment’s Facebook page for a full list of carnival events.
