Newport Winter Carnival History

1916

THE FIRST

The first carnival, Feb 5, organized by the YMCA, was so successful that plans were launched for a second carnival sponsored by the newly formed 150-member strong Outing Club.

 

The site selected was Wilmath Flat near the current high school. A toboggan chute was carved into the ground and land was cleared for skiing. Near the hilltop, a clubhouse was built with a large fireplace.

 

Newport Drum Corps led a parade to Wilmarth Flat accompanied by town folk and visitors on skis, snowshoes, on foot, in sleighs, sleds and automobiles. The procession was more than a mile long.

 

The toboggan chute was one-third mile long with a mile straightaway. Speeds of 60 mph or more were reported.

 

1966

THE 50TH

Congressman James C. Cleveland donated a flat that flew over the United States Capitol to the carnival this year. As the flag was hoisted on the Little Common flagpole by American Legion commander John Pavlik, three fighter jets split the air over Newport in salute to the U.S. flag, a highlight of the 50th Annual Newport Winter Carnival.

 

Anne Patten was crowned winter carnival queen, and eight-year-old Rosalie May Moulton was crowned princess. Other queen contestants were Theresa Mooney, Regina Willey, Nancy Jones, Gloria Bushway, Elaine Miller, Rita Haselton, Barbara Phillips and Carol Wharem.

 

NASA sent a space capsule to the carnival, which was a main attraction on the common for the children. Patsy Puckett, Miss Mississippi and runnerup to Miss America, was in Newport for the weekend attending the 50th Annual Newport Carnival.

 

A golf tournament in the snow was a new carnival feature this year, as well as a Snowtime Children’s Parade, in which children dressed up as characters from the past, future and fairy tales. Judges for the parade were Mrs. John N. Berry Jr., Mrs. Clyde Pratt, and John Boyle.

 

Archie Mountain was chairman of the carnival this year and Mrs. John C. McCrillis was master of ceremonies for the children’s parade. Gordon Bell was the chairman of the newly-featured golf tournament.

 

2016

THE 100TH

For Melissa Clivio-Wentrup it was a surreal moment when she was crowned the 2016 Newport Winter Carnival Queen at the Newport Opera House, the 100thannual carnival.

 

Clivio-Wentrup was also voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. She is the daughter of Lisa Clivio and David Wentrup. First runner-up was Newport High School senior Payton Wilson. Second runner-up was Claudia Biron. Aspen Toliver was third runner-up.

 

Other queen contestants were Katherine Jurado who earned the award for top fundraiser, Kim King, Chantal Watson, and Morgan Hannigan. Thirty-seven former carnival queens were introduced during the Pageant.

 

The carnival’s 10-day run began on Feb. 5 with the traditional torch lighting and had something for everyone to enjoy for the duration of the event including games, a Yankee Luau, mustache and beard contest, dinners, parade and many activities on the Newport Common for to weekends.

 

Despite a snow squall and a bitter north wind that blew the snow around, the traditional Newport Winter Carnival was held right on schedule. “We were expecting 71 units and 69 showed up,” said Chris Smith, parade organizer. At parade time the weather had settled in at about 12 degrees above zero.

 

In the float category featuring entries over 25 feet, the Moose Family Center captured first place followed by the Newport Veterans in second spot. Road to Independence was first among entries under 25 feet followed by the Newport Historical Society and the Red Hat Society.

 

“Our forefathers would have been proud,” said PJ Lovely, Director of the Newport Recreation Department. “We had warm temperatures and frigid ones, but we persevered.”