PINEDALE — The 2024 Pinedale Winter Carnival may not have had the snow seen in years past, but volunteers and crews from local businesses, Main Street Pinedale, the Town of Pinedale, Sublette County, the Recreation Board, the Pinedale Lions Club and the Pinedale Travel and Tourism Commission worked together to bring the family-friendly event to fruition anyway.

Hotdog Eating Contest

The newest event added to the Winter Carnival this year, the Hotdog Eating Contest, drew more than 500 spectators and participants to the Pinedale Library’s Lovatt Room on Feb. 9 to kick off the fun-filled weekend. More than 325 hotdogs were consumed throughout the event. Contestants were split into three divisions and given 10 minutes to eat as many hotdogs and buns as possible. They were allowed to request water and condiments.

Liz Wood won first place in the women’s division, eating 6 hotdogs and winning $250, a trophy and bragging rights. In the men’s division, Dan McGillivray ate 11 hotdogs and secured first place, $250 and a trophy. Woody Green ate the 8 hotdogs for his age group, earning first place in the teen’s division along with a $250 check and a trophy.

Snowmobile Show

Jason Riedel’s Snowmobile Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, drew dozens of new and vintage sleds to the lot at 210 W. Pine St., where the public could vote on their favorite snowmobiles to be considered for the People’s Choice awards.

The results are now in. Dave Stromberg won first place for his 1985 bright orange Manta. Dick Sterns took second place for his 1972 ATX Polaris as well as third place for his 1964 rear-engine Bonahm snow machine.

Snow Sculptures

Four snow sculptures were carved out of 4’ x 4’ x 8’ blocks of snow, with local artists creating a bull moose reading a newspaper on the porcelain throne, an alpine ski chair lift, a barn and a cow sporting a Lions Club coat. Artists began carving their snow sculptures on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and finalized their creations by Feb. 9. A public voting link was released on social media, with Savanah Hodson’s creation called Moose on the Potty garnering the most votes and winning the $500 grand prize.

Cardboard Classic

The Burzlander Sledding Hill at the bottom of Fremont Lake Road was buzzing with laughter as cardboard contraptions of all sizes flew down the snow-packed hill on Saturday. Teams taped and glued together chunks of cardboard painted to look like fast cars, a banana boat, a laptop and even a bathtub complete with cardboard rubber duckies and a shower head with paper water flowing from it. Contestants dressed in colorful costumes to complement the themes of their cardboard sleds. Team “The Shower” won the People’s Choice award. “Hunter’s Laptop” won first place in the adult division.

Snow Ball

The Wind River Brew Pub hosted the Snow Ball on Saturday night where area residents and visitors alike danced the night away to live music by The Man in Tan. The 2024 Pinedale Winter Carnival King Peter Paulin and Queen Pilar Bandin were crowned during the Snow Ball.

Skijoring

Despite lower-than-average snow accumulation, the 2024 Winter Carnival welcomed more than 70 skijoring teams to the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11. The top three teams to finish in the six categories are below.

• PeeWee Division

First place, Ally Wackerman riding Rango with skier Mikayla Kannier in tow.

Second place, Scarlet Smith riding Daisy with skier Alzada Smith in tow.

Third place, Kayla LaVoie riding Trigger with Kinsley LaVoie in tow.

• Juniors Division

First place, Kelli Hyde riding Ellie May with skier Ciara Grimes in tow.

Second place, Phil Selby riding Mr. Nightlinger with skier Hardy Selby in tow.

Third place, Phil Selby riding Mr. Nightlinger with skier Cora Selby in tow.

• Century Division

First place, John Hyde riding JR with skier Troy Houston in tow.

Second place, Doc Foster riding Booger with skier Zane Straley in tow.

• Novice Division

First place, Braiden Jorgensen riding Hank with skier Lewis Stoltzfus in tow.

Second place, Alex Hillier riding Spooky Blaze with skier Forrest Thompson in tow.

Third place, Nikki Eremita riding River with skier Derek Helms in tow.

• Sport Division

First place, Karli Lloyd riding Trace with skier Joe Lloyd in tow.

Second place, Gordon Smith riding Smokie with skier Ian Nelson in tow.

Third place, Hollis Lloyd riding Russell with skier Joe Lloyd in tow.

• Open/Pro Division

First place, Harlee Manning riding Captain Speedy Dexter with skier Cam Fraser in tow.

Second place, John Hyde riding JR with skier Curtis Fieguth in tow.

Third place, Doc Foster riding Booger with skier Curtis Fieguth in tow.

SnoCross Snowmobile Races

The Kids’ 200CC SnoCross snowmobile races followed Sunday’s skijoring, with 15 local youth navigating their snowmobiles over a makeshift course with ramps at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds.

In the 200CC Stock race, Karson Hecht pulled into first place, followed by Angus Roberts in second and Brooke Martin in third place.
Hecht also nabbed first place in the 200CC Mod race, followed by Otis Roberts in second place and Blake Martin in third. In the Open Mod division, Reese Sluyter was first to cross the finish line, followed by Hecht in second place and Zeke Thomas in third.