This weekend on February 28 and March 1, is the second annual Truckee Winter Carnival. This seasonal extravaganza is the result of a collaboration between Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District (TDRPD) and the Museum of Truckee History. On Wednesday February 26th, five of the nine events were canceled due to low snow levels just days before the event. However, people of all ages can still enjoy the fun of the season this Friday and Saturday. All events will be held at the Community Arts Center on Church Street.
A Brief Historical Overview
The town of Truckee has a rich history in which logging, ice harvesting, the railroad, and others all played a part. According to the Truckee-Donner Historical Society (TDHS), a variety of Native American tribes populated the Truckee-Tahoe Basin for millenia. The Paiute tribe made contact with Europeans, Spanish missionaries, in 1776 and about a century later in 1866, the first recorded non-native settlement, Pollard’s Station, was established (TDHS). Not long after, the first winter carnival was held in Truckee in 1895.
Despite its swelling population numbers and the increase in development, Truckee has become a strong community containing a multitude of hard workers and outdoor enthusiasts. The collaboration between a variety of local organizations and institutions have come together in recent years to revive the historical winter carnival.
Day 1: Friday, February 28, 2025
Dress up in your best old-Truckee garb and meet in the Community Arts Center (10046 Church Street) for a 6 p.m. group photo! Keep in mind, the more historic your costume appears, the closer to the front you will be.
After the photo, Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie “Gold Rush” will be shown on the big screen in the CAC, accompanied by live music from Heidi Kusma and the Mountain Bells.
Day 2: Saturday, March 1, 2025
The second day of the carnival will be filled with educational presentations where people can learn more about Truckee’s rich history, specifically with regards to the winter carnival. These will take place at nine and ten a.m. successively, in the CAC.
Following the two presentations will be the train walk where attendees can experience the past through machinery, models, documentaries, and other artifacts.
The grand finale of the 2025 Winter Carnival, “Hot-Doggin’… the Party” will include a hot dog eating contest, live music, and a costume contest. Head to the CAC at 6:30 p.m. for a race to eat two hot dogs or come as early as 5:30 p.m. to get the full scope of the festivities. The party is set to end at 10 p.m.
The original plans for the carnival included outdoor activities on Sunday, March 2; however, these have been cancelled because all the events like the Rodeo Rail Jam and Snow Sculpture Fun require more snow.
Whether you can make it to one activity or are ready to experience the entire carnival, join in for an old fashioned good time! More details can be found on TDRPD’s website. Access the schedule of events here.