Six-week celebration marks 100-year anniversary of first winter carnival in western United States
Granby, Colo. – The Grand Winter Sports Carnival, the largest and longest winter carnival in the Rockies, will kick off over New Year’s weekend.

The festival marks the 100th anniversary of the first winter carnival west of the Mississippi. The celebration, which runs Dec. 30 through Feb. 11, will highlight historic and modern winter sports. Presented by the Grand County Historical Association, the six-week-long festival will celebrate the prominent role of Grand County in the heritage of Colorado skiing. Winter Carnival events will take place throughout Grand County, centering in Hot Sulphur Springs Dec. 30-31.

Friday, Dec. 30

· Food and Fun Fest (11 a.m. – end of fireworks show): Food and shopping with a winter and sports theme.

· Ice Sculpture Display Opening and Demonstration (11:30 a.m.): Includes a “dueling chainsaws” ice sculpture demo.

· Stick Horse Races for the Kids (Hourly, 12 noon – 6 p.m.)

· Ribbon-Cutting and Opening of Ice Skating Rink (2 p.m.): Period dress for adults; kids’ games.

· Corona-to-Hot Sulphur Springs Re-enactment Trek (3:30 p.m.): The Grand Nordic club and Headwaters Trails Alliance will re-create the original...