Celebrate Winter in Mackinaw City

Jan. 1, 2016

If the classic Alaskan TV show Northern Exposure held a winter festival, it would probably look a whole lot like Mackinaw City’s annual Winterfest.

LET THERE BE SNOW

From Jan. 14–17, the yearly Winterfest takes over Mackinaw City with a full schedule of fun winter activities. The fest is without leadership this year, as the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce is hoping to hire a new director, but the chamber’s Kelly Vieau has stepped up to the plate and is doing her best to oversee much of the proceedings.

The good news is that this festival has been going strong for 23 years, so in some ways, it practically runs itself.

“It’s just a fun family day,” Vieau said. “Most of all, we’re hoping it will snow!”

Snow is an essential element to several of the festival’s most popular happenings, most notably the snow sculpture contest at the open space at Mackinac Bay Trading Co., which sees participants conjuring all kinds of shapes and designs from northern Michigan’s annual frozen windfall, with judging and awards ceremony happening Saturday.

ICE ICE BABY

Ice is another necessary component for Winterfest, especially considering the ice fishing tournament! Aspiring anglers will head over to Carp Lake Marina, a half-dozen miles from downtown Mackinaw City, to compete in the heaviest pike, heaviest walleye and heaviest pan fish categories, with each category awarding a $300 top prize.

Ice and snow both contribute to the yearly success of the wacky and fun Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse Races, which happen on Saturday afternoon at the Shepler’s Ferry parking lot. The races begin with the parade of outhouses, always colorful and entertaining.

“That whole thing is hilarious to watch,” Vieau said. “People really get into decorating them; one year, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub made their outhouse look like a big leprechaun pot with coins falling out of the top!” For the race itself, teams of four people form to push the outhouse, with one additional person inside; each outhouse is also required to have an actual toilet seat.

“It’s so funny to watch the people getting the big outhouses moving,” Vieau continued. “There are specific criteria and rules they have to follow and sometimes they topple over so they have to work hard to get it to stand up, and then they take off again.”

For a first place cash prize of $1,000 (and additional cash prizes for 2nd or 3rd place and Best in Show), you bet there are a lot of people ready to get those outhouses moving across the snow and ice any way they can. They’ll shake it all off afterwards at the Outhouse Racers Reception, held at the Dixie Saloon, with plenty of music and dancing.

FUEL ‘EM UP

Then there’s the food, always a must to keep visitors warm and to refuel participants for the many festival activities. Never fear — there’s plenty of food at Winterfest!

Judy and Rob Most are two of Mackinaw City’s ambassadors, volunteers who help the chamber put on successful events. This year, they’re overseeing the popular chili cook-off.

“There are numbers on the cups so that all of the chilis are anonymous,” Judy Most explained. “Then people can try the chili and we will have a people’s choice winner and a judges’ choice winner. We make a big fun show of it and there’s plenty of chili available in big roasting pans from 11am to 1pm.”

A fish fry, tasty treats from Pancake Chef ’s Warming House and specials running at various restaurants throughout town offer plenty of dining options during the Winterfest day. Additional activities include live entertainment, card games and wagon/ sleigh rides. Most of the activities (with the exception of food) are free with the purchase of a 2016 Winterfest button for $3, available at the Chamber of Commerce office and at each festival event site. It’s a good time for all, come snow or sunshine.

“The crowd of people are what really make the whole thing fun,” Judy Most said.

For more information on Mackinaw City’s 2016 Winterfest and a complete schedule of events, visit mackinawcity.com or call (888) 455-8100.