Leavenworth is your basecamp for skiing Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass, and the old-school Leavenworth Ski and Tubing Hill right on the edge of town all winter long. But on MLK weekend, the Bavarian themed mountain town of Leavenworth dresses up in over half a million twinkling lights for the Bavarian Icefest, meaning in-town entertainment is also guarantee. A weekend of unique outdoor events, including snow and ice sculptures, a rail jam, fireworks and Leavenworth’s famous “Smooshing Contest,” which is an original and apparently hilarious race where teams of four with their toes strapped to 8 foot long boards try to make their way down the street in tandem. Here are a few more Icefest highlights.
Compete with a team of five in the snow sculptures contest or enjoy the snowy creations that other seasoned sculptors come up with (competition Saturday; sculptures up Sunday). Chainsaws and ice can only mean one thing: live ice carvings. Watch what works of frozen art emerge from blocks of ice on Saturday or check them out on display on Sunday. Watch skiers and riders dish out their best rail moves and tricks from the beer garden at the Stevens Pass Rail Jam downtown on Saturday. And to finish off the weekend, enjoy the fireworks show over the twinkling lights of Leavenworth and maybe another round of delicious beverages at Icicle Brewing. Check out the full festival schedule at www.leavenworth.org. // (OTM)
