MCCALL -- The McCall Winter Carnival is bringing thousands of people to that small Idaho town, and pumping thousands of tourism dollars into an economy that needs it.
The Carnival is all about smiling, dancing, screaming, bands, ice sculptures and candy. But Carnival Director McKenzie Christensen said it also means an economic shot in the arm.
"I know it's a huge boost for businesses here in town," Christensen said. "Especially this year, with the lack of snow up until a couple weeks ago. So, Carnival has become a very crucial week for us here. It's one of those things where we need that boost mid-winter, and this is the perfect opportunity to do it."
Alberta Sonntag owns a craft shop in McCall: Mountain Monet. She said she sees the boost every year.
"It's something we look forward to, and I think this year is going to be a really good year," Sonntag said. "So many different things for people to see and do."
"Last year was our first year," said Alan Morris of Boise. "We liked it, so we came up this year. Every place I've been in, it's been a wait and a line, but it's alright."
The Fish family (Isaac, Jennifer, and their small daughter) keeps coming back to the Carnival too. They're from Coeur d'Alene.
"We pretty much come down here once a year, every year," said Isaac Fish. "It's just nice to be able to come down and check out the ice sculptures. That's way cool. The snowmobiling here, is like, epic."
Christensen said it's hard to estimate how much money the festivities bring into the local economy because the boost lasts year-round.
"This is a really fun event that a lot of people come for the first time to McCall," she said. "It brings them back in the summer, in the fall, throughout the entire year. So this is kind of a showcase event. We highlight everything we've got to do here."
McCall business owners, like Jason Ventress, agree.
"We came to McCall because it has it all," said Ventress. "Killer skiing, great snow, great year-round activities, best playground for kids and adults."
Ventress lives all the way down in Malibu, but is sold on McCall, the Carnival, and the business it brings in.
Christensen said the Carnival boasts about 50 events, and while many are winter-themed, some aren't, like the bull-riding and ever-popular fireworks.
If you're curious about all the events happening at the McCall Winter Carnival, you can click here.
