A winter carnival offers a unique kind of fun. You can join in a game of broomball, build a snow fort, try a dogsled ride around the lake, shiver with the polar bear swimmers, watch the radar run as the snowmobiles race down the lake, or take a horse drawn sleigh ride in the moonlight. There’s traditional ‘bangers and mash’ dinners, pancake breakfasts, plus many more tasty treats and family fun.

 Carnivals are big part of the winter season in Muskoka, taking place throughout January and February in different communities around the region. Listed below are the dates of each of the winter carnivals in Muskoka, and a sampling of some of the events taking place at these fun-filled, winter celebrations.

  Gravenhurst’s ‘Fresh Tracks -- winter in Muskoka’ program is in its 3rd year, and is designed to spread out the events over the winter. For example, on January 31st there is a Mad Science Show at the Gravenhurst Scout Hall, with free admission with refreshments for sale. On February 7th there is a Moonlight Ski at the Gravenhurst KOA.

Cost is $3.50 for adults/ $1.50 for children 12 and under. The mass start is at 7:30 p.m.

 Other events include pancake breakfasts, Chili dinners, music concerts and more. Visit www.gravenhurstchamber.com to get details of times and dates for each event.

   The Port Carling WinterFest, taking place January 29th - Feb. 1st is a fun-filled weekend that includes figure skating displays, parades, children's games, sleigh rides, and a polar bear dip on the Sunday. Fireworks open the carnival on Friday night. Contact Karen at 705-765-6866 of 705-765-6018 for more info., and to register for the Polar Bear dip.

 Huntsville’s Winterfest happens February 6th – 8th, and promises “a fun filled weekend with events for the whole family at various venues in Huntsville.” Schedules of events are available at the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact Colleen Hannigan at the Huntsville Centennial Ctre at  705-789-6421, or visit www.communityupdates.com/ontario/
muskoka/events/winterfest.

The 14^th annual Dorset ‘Snowball’ Winter Carnival runs Friday February 20^th and Saturday, Feb. 21^st.  A skating party, clowns, music, hot chocolate and the infamous Adult Broomball Tournament are just some of the planned events and activities. There’ll also be a pancake breakfast, an Arts & Crafts Show, Mini-Snowmobile rides, displays and demonstrations, a craft sale, children's dog sled rides, children's games, food, music and more, including Hockey Night in Dorset, and a display from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. Go to www.dorsetsnowball.com for more details, or contact Melissa Alfano at 705-766-9968 or e-mail drc@vianet.on.ca

The Dwight ‘Snowbash’ Winter Carnival takes place Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th. Events include a kid’s carnival and games, a broomball party and bonfire, dog sled rides, and an adult dance (Saturday night). New this year is the Northern Lights Steel Band, performing at the pancake breakfast Saturday morning. Featured again this is the display from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre on Saturday. For more information call Karen at (705) 635-2231.

  Port Sydney’s 47th annual Winter Carnival will be held Friday, Feb. 27^th and Saturday Feb. 28^th.  In past years the schedule of events has included a kids winter Olympics, the Muskoka antique snowmobile club's sleds of the past, snowshoeing demonstration and sales, horse drawn sleigh rides, and the Army Cadets’ winter obstacle course. Dog-sledding, ice skating on the rink at Mary Lake, a snowmobile poker run, the carnival dance at the community hall on Sat. evening and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning round out the fun. Contact Zanetti’s at (705) 385-2253 for more information.