Thompson Falls Hosts Successful Winter Carnival

Project ASCENT's annual event draws big crowds with games, prizes, and community spirit.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The ninth annual Project ASCENT Winter Carnival in Thompson Falls, Montana was a resounding success, drawing 273 attendees - nearly 30 more than last year. The carnival, which was moved to the baseball fields on the lower part of the Thompson Falls high school campus, featured a variety of winter-themed games and activities for all ages, from 'Loose Tooth Yeti' to 'Magnet Ice Fishing'. Organizers were thrilled with the turnout, strong volunteer support, and generous community donations to the local food bank.

Why it matters

The Project ASCENT Winter Carnival is an important annual event that brings the Thompson Falls community together during the winter months. By offering free, family-friendly activities, the carnival provides an opportunity for residents to get outside, have fun, and support local causes like the food bank. The move to a new, more accessible location this year helped boost attendance and made the event even more successful.

The details

The Winter Carnival featured 61 total volunteers, with 15 helping with setup the day before and 46 volunteering the day of the event. Games included classics like 'Loose Tooth Yeti', 'Magnet Ice Fishing', 'Sasquatch Balloon Pop', and 'Penguin Sled Races'. The Army National Guard also set up a cornhole station with prizes. Organizers were thrilled with the strong sponsorships and community support that allowed them to offer an array of prizes ranging from small trinkets to National Geographic STEM kits.

  • The ninth annual Project ASCENT Winter Carnival took place on Saturday, February 26, 2026.
  • Last year's carnival had 273 attendees, nearly 30 more than the previous year.

The players

Project ASCENT

A local non-profit organization that hosts the annual Winter Carnival in Thompson Falls, Montana.

Andrea Christensen

The operations manager for Project ASCENT, who expressed excitement over the event's success and strong community support.

Dean Williams

A first-year volunteer who said he wanted to help the community and make kids happy by volunteering.

John Torres

A parent who said his daughter Poppy loved the 'Magnet Ice Fishing' game, having played it over six times.

Lexi Frank

A first-year volunteer who ran the 'Penguin Sled Races' and said her favorite part was seeing the community come together and the kids get excited when their penguin won.

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What they’re saying

“It was marvelous. It was so nice to be out of the mud and have easy access. The parking was nice too, much better than folks having to park on the street with their kids.”

— Andrea Christensen, Project ASCENT's operations manager (Sanders County Ledger)

“We love this pairing and it gives this day even more of a community connection.”

— Andrea Christensen, Project ASCENT's operations manager (Sanders County Ledger)

“I wanted to help the community, and helping kids be happy makes me feel good, so I volunteered.”

— Dean Williams, First-year volunteer (Sanders County Ledger)

“This is a great way to gather the community, and seeing the kids have fun is awesome. My daughter Poppy has been fishing over six times today. It's safe to say this game is her favorite.”

— John Torres, Parent (Sanders County Ledger)

“Watching the little kids get so happy that the penguin they picked won is awesome.”

— Lexi Frank, First-year volunteer (Sanders County Ledger)

What’s next

Organizers are already planning improvements and additions for next year's Project ASCENT Winter Carnival, building on the success of this year's event.

The takeaway

The Project ASCENT Winter Carnival demonstrates the power of community-driven events to bring people together, support local causes, and create lasting memories - even in the midst of winter. The carnival's growth and popularity show that when a town rallies around a shared purpose, great things can happen.