We're half way through January, and McCall is starting to prep for their 53rd Annual Winter Carnival. Every year the small town's 3,000 resident population welcomes more than 60,000 people during this 10-day winter event.

This year's Carnival theme is "There's 'Snow' Place Like Home" - celebrating all that is special about the gorgeous West Central Mountains surrounding McCall.

The event calendar for this year includes all the fan-favorites: fireworks, a Mardi Gras Parade, and snow sculptures as well as the brand new McCall Ultra Sled Dog Challenge. Running from January 29-31, this 200-mile race throughout Valley County will serve as an Iditarod qualifier!

My wife and I really enjoy McCall year-round, but seeing highlights like Fireworks over the lake....the Beer Garden Concerts...Nite Lite parade and the Mardi Gras Parade plus all the amazing Winter Carnival sculptures is a must.

Of course no trip to the mountain town is complete without stopping at the Pancake House for one of their giant cinnamon rolls... It's a good thing there's usually a sculpture there I can use as an excuse.

The McCall Winter Carnival starts Friday January 26th and runs through Sunday February 4, 2018. For more information on the carnival and a complete schedule of events visit: http://McCallChamber.org/

If you are looking for places to stay you can check out Accommodation Services to book a house, condo or hotel room...but hurry, opening weekend usually sells out

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