May and Moes chosen during Merry Maker

This year's Merry Maker event at the Great Northern Bar in downtown Whitefish was as raucous and outrageous as ever, with past prime ministers teaming up to roast the city's government and leading citizens.

As the kick-off event for this year's Winter Carnival, the Merry Maker featured numerous skits and impersonations.

In line with the Carnival's Mardi Gras theme, the final act pitted Carnival organizer Carlene Moes against the Babes of Bourbon Street Revue — four primes in drag, complete with faux chest pieces.

Moes easily won the public vote and donned the Duchess of Lark's velvet cape. This is the second year Moes has been chosen duchess. She has served on the Winter Carnival board for six years and was Queen of the Snows in 2002.

A trumpet blast heralded the last item on the Merry Maker agenda — the unveiling of this year's Prime Minister. Eric May, co-owner of the Bulldog Saloon, who is active in local athletics, was loudly escorted across the packed dance floor to the confetti-strewn bandstand. May was presented with a bright-red polyester sport coat, the royal pillow, the royal sword and the royal key.

Past Prime Minister Mike McCracken served as MC for this year's Merry Maker, which included several musical and dance numbers — a rendition of a Beastie Boys classic with the chorus line "You've got to fight for the right to party"; a high-kicking Can-Can, complete with furs; and a spooning of longtime Carnival organizer Rick Donahue, complete with cone-head attachment.

High-tech stage gimmicks included a PowerPoint presentation showing the future of Whitefish — balloon-infested views, light-polluting glare and a revised Downtown Master Plan that includes re-routing Whitefish River down Central Avenue. The latter idea would address the city's problem with open containers by allowing bar patrons to travel home by boat.

The public is invited to attend the Winter Carnival coronation of King Ullr XLVII and the Queen of the Snows on Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.

"This will be the biggest and best coronation this decade," Donahue said.

The event will feature music, dancing and skits, with appearances by Winter Carnival kings from past years. Food and drinks will also be available. The event is free with a Winter Carnival Button.