For more than a quarter century, Mackinaw City has rolled out the white carpet for a weekend of seasonal fun and excitement fit for the entire family. The 26th Annual Mackinaw City Winter Festival is scheduled for January 18-19, 2019. Most of activities are free with a 2019 Winter Fest Button. Buttons can be purchased for $3 each or 4 for $10 at the Chamber of Commerce Office, various businesses around town and at each event site during the festival until they are all gone.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18
- DJ & Dancing – Racers Reception at the Dixie Saloon from 10:00pm – 2:00am
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19
- Winterfest Ice Fishing Tournament: From 8am until 2pm at the Carp Lake Marina {ice depth / weather permitting}, only seven miles from downtown Mackinaw City. Anglers can preregister at Carp Lake General Store, Clyde’s Bar or Paradise Lake Marina. All entry fees include a chance ticket valued at $5. The three categories to be judged are: Heaviest Pike, Heaviest Walleye and Heaviest Pan Fish with cash prizes for each category. Anglers may also preregister from 3-6pm on Friday in the headquarters located at Paradise Lake Marina. Registration on the day of the tournament is from 6:30-8am at the headquarters. Please Contact THE PARADISE LAKE ASSOCIATION for up-to-date Information on ice conditions.
- Chili Cook Off Competition: Begins at Mama Mia’s Pizzeria located at 231 East Central Avenue from 11am until 1pm. Come early to taste and vote for your favorite recipe. To place an entry a registration form is required and registrations will be accepted until space is full. Tasting and people’s choice awards require a Winter Fest Button. Rules and entry forms are available from the Chamber of Commerce 231-436-5574.
- Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse Races – Held at 2pm at the Shepler’s Lot located on Huron Ave and Central Ave. This novelty event starts with the parade of outhouses which proves to be creative, colorful and entertaining – a must see! The races are open to Adult & Junior Teams. The Outhouse must be 4x4x6 on skis. Must have a 5-person team {1-must ride & 4-push or pull}. The Outhouse must have a Toilet Seat and have Material to Wipe with. Entry must have a Name. CASH PRIZES: 1st Place: $500 | 2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $200 | Best in Show: $100. Entrants under 18 must have a parent’s signature and ALL teams and participants must sign a waiver. www.mackinawouthouserace.com.
- Euchre Tournament: From 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the Senior Center of Mackinaw City located at 205 Cedar Street. Registration begins at 1:30pm with a $10 entry fee with a Winter Fest button. Must be 18 years or older to participate. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 231-436-5574.
- Other events include: Poker Walk from 10:15am to 1:15pm at B.C. Pizza; Sleigh/Wagon Rides from 11:30am until 2pm sponsored by Marshall’s Fudge & Mackinaw Clothing Store.
ALL WEEKEND
- Snow Sculptures: Check out the massive frosty works of art at the Marina on Friday and Saturday!
- Art Exhibit: Check out the MCAAC Art Exhibit on Friday from 3-5pm and Saturday from 10am until 5pm at Mackinaw Clothing on Central Avenue downtown.
- Music & Commentary for WinterFest by: G-Man Sound Productions ~ Gary Engle with the Afterglow Party and live music at O’Reilly’s Irish Pub & Dixie Saloon.
- Various restaurants and bars offer Winter Fest specials and entertainment Thursday through Saturday.
Please note: Ice fishing & snow sculpting are the only weather dependent events.
For lodging reservations throughout the remainder of the fall and into the winter season, visit MackinawCity.com/stay/.