Winterfest

Mackinaw City Hosts the 19th Annual Winterfest Weekend and Pepsi International Outhouse Race

See the 2012 Results!

Next year's 20th Annual Event will be held January 17-19, 2013.

Mackinaw City, MI - Come celebrate winter in Mackinaw City during this year's 19^th annual Winterfest. This winter event is scheduled for the 3^rd weekend in January 19-22, 2012. Enjoy amateur snow carving, Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse Race, sleigh rides, poker walk, chili cook-off, indoor ice skating, euchre tournament, free hot cocoa, 3 on 3 hockey tournament, new Mackinaw City Art Exhibit, ice fishing tournament from 8am to 2pm at Carp Lake Marina and many more fun winter activities including games for kids, and adults beginning at 12:30 pm at the Mackinaw City Marina open space.

New for 2012 is the first ever Mackinaw City Art Exhibit featuring at least 10 area artists at Mackinaw Clothing. Sponsored by Mackinaw City Area Arts Council, a wide variety of media will be displayed including: watercolors, oil paintings, woodcarvings, duck decoys, photography, jewelry and more. An opening reception and meet the Artists will take place from 3:00pm-4:30pm on Friday January 20^th. The exhibit will include a “children’s corner” on Saturday from 10-6pm and on Sunday the 22^nd from 10am -4pm when the exhibit will close.

The Chili Cook Off competition begins from 11:30am and runs till 1:00pm. Come early, taste and vote for your favorite recipe. To place an entry a registration form is needed and only the first 5 registrations will be accepted due to space requirements. The Chamber Ambassadors coordinate this annual event. Tasting and people’s choice awards require a 2.00 Teal Winterfest Button. Rules and entry forms are available from the Chamber of Commerce 231 436-5574. Cook Off will take place at JR's Tailgate Pub.

Mancino’s Euchre Tournament from 1:00pm to 3:00pm has a $5.00 entry fee with a 2012 Winterfest button. Must be 18 years or older to participate. Taking place at Mancino's.

Weather permitting, the Snow sculpting competition will begin on Thursday, January 19th, and continue through Saturday, January, 21st. Judging and awards for the sculptors will be Saturday at 1:00 PM and cash prizes are sponsored by the Mackinaw Area Visitor’s Bureau. Local snow sculptors can register for the competition until Friday January 6^th, which is also the sculpting event cancel date due to lack of snow.

Enjoy the 3 on 3 Ice Hockey Tournament at the Mackinaw Recreation Complex Ice rink 507 W. Central Ave. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday evening the Hockey Association will host a family skate night $8.00 per family or $3.00 per person- concessions will be available. Fun Nite Gate fee includes skates. Call the Mackinaw City Skating Association for times and further information 231 436-5224.

Join in the Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse Race Saturday January 21 at 2pm on the Shepler Ferry Lot located at the end of East Central Ave. This novelty event starts with the parade of outhouses which proves to be colorful and entertaining. Novelty prizes vary but judging has to do with design, décor, team theme or “just because”. This year the prize money has been increased to $1750.00 and is sponsored by Pepsi and area businesses. Rules are as follows: The outhouse must be 4x4x6 on skis. Must have a 5 person team, one inside and 4 outside to push or pull. Must have a toilet seat. Must have material to wipe with. Entry must have a name. Entrants under 18 must have a parent’s signature, and all teams/participants must sign a waiver. Call 231 420-7044, 248 760-8777 or visit www.mackinawouthouserace.com for more information, sponsor opportunities or to participate.

Other events located on Central Ave. include the warming house at Pancake Chef plus the Pageant Parade committee fish fry on the 3^rd Friday or January 20th, Poker walk from 10:30 to 1:30pm at Pancake Chef, sleigh/wagon rides by Don Cowell 11:30am - 2:30pm sponsored by Marshall’s Fudge & Candy and Mackinaw Clothing. Various restaurants and bars are offering Winterfest specials and entertainment Thursday through Saturday.

Many activities are free with a $2.00 Teal 2012 Winterfest button/pin. Collector buttons can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce new location at 226 E. Central Ave next to Scalawag’s, Candy Corner, the Dixie Saloon, Audie’s and various businesses around town plus at each event site during the festival until gone. Check the number on the back of your button and you can win from $1.00 to $20.00. Winning numbers will be posted at 11:00am at the Winterfest Sound Trailer, Ice Fishing Contest and Candy Corner/Windjammer Gifts. Winterfest button winners must claim their winning envelopes event day at Candy Corner or at the Chamber Office by Friday January 27, 2012.

Audie’s Black Tie Scholarship Ball “Polar Nights” is on Saturday, January 21st from 8pm to midnight. Enjoy live music, a cocktail reception, Chef Nick’s gourmet hors d’ oeuvres plus wonderful silent auction. For more information call Audie’s at 231 436-5744.

Winterfest is a snow or not event so we adjust the games to the conditions. (The snow sculpting and ice fishing are subject to weather and cancellation, so call prior to your visit.)

• Winterfest 2012 Schedule