Since 1984 the first week of March in North Lake Tahoe has meant it is time for Snowfest! It begins on February 28th and goes through March 10th, and is a gathering of friends at parties and parades, There are lots of classic quirky events that have been going on for decades, as well as new events that are making their debut. This year Snowfest will be a much needed chance to take a break from all the shoveling and let your hair down.
The first weekend of Snowfest! focuses on Tahoe City, while on the second weekend Kings Beach is the happening place. Here’s what’s happening March 1-3rd:
Friday afternoon the Pioneer Cocktail Club in the center of town has a block party during the afternoon, then the fireworks fly over the lake at 7:30 above Tahoe City’s Commons Beach. Later, Hacienda Del Lago in the Boatworks is the place to catch live music.
Saturday March 2nd it’s time for probably the biggest attraction at Snowfest. The Tahoe City Parade. It’s a small town parade where half the town is in the parade and the other half is waving at their friends (I hear a rumor that Hauserman Rental Group will be a star attraction). Before the parade you can carb up at the Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast. After the parade stay in Tahoe City for the fun Tahoe Community Nursery School party, Pete and Peter’s Post Parade Party, or Paint the Snowman contest.
A little later at 2:30 pm make your way to Garwood’s in Carnelian Bay for the Polar Bear Swim. Where a few hearty souls tackle a rather lengthy swim in Lake Tahoe in March (Yes, it is very cold).
Wind down your Tahoe City fun at the Tahoe Art Haus in the Cobblestone for the Haus Brewfest where five breweries will be showing off their wares, and food, live music and games are to be had.
Sunday morning, March 3 you could begin your day by joining the throngs skiing in The Great Ski Race from Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area to Truckee if you can ski 30 kilometers.
Those not up for a race, could instead watch the dogs doing the slogging at the Dog Pull at Cafe Zenon, or eat your own dogs at the Fat Cat’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. If you are not too full after all those hot dogs, go Hawaiian, at the Sunnyside Luau, where you can get tropical drinks and hula pie.
Want to hear about all the fun stuff in Kings Beach next weekend? Well, keep your eyes peeled for my next post. Or all the event information can be found at tahoesnowfest.org
(By the way this photo is of my daughter Hannah about ten years ago riding in the parade after she was crowned Snowfest Queen…it was destiny since she was born on the opening night of Snowfest.)