Have a (Snow) Ball!

Jan. 29, 2016

Winter Festivals Roundup

Looking to celebrate winter, have a little outdoor fun and meet up with neighbors, friends and visitors alike? Then check out northern Michigan’s mid-winter schedule of winter festival events, where there’s something cool — literally — for everyone!

Winterfest – Boyne City

Downtown Boyne City is stuffed with winter festivities for their annual Winterfest, which starts inside with Indoor Sidewalk Sales and the Farmers Market, and continues outdoors with everything from a snow sculptures contest to sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing at the Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area. This year’s fest runs Feb. 12–13 and will also include the Frozen Fish Toss, complimentary hot chocolate and donuts, horse-drawn sleigh rides and live music at Cafe Sante in the evening. Event costs vary; more information at visitboynecitymichigan.com.

Alpenfrost - Gaylord

The fourth annual Alpenfrost is Feb. 5–6, kicking off with the opening of the heated tent, food from Louie Louie’s BBQ and live musical entertainment. Saturday is the fest’s big day, with a long list of events including the Frosty 5K, horse carriage rides, dogsled demos, the Treetops Cardboard Sled Race and an attempt at the World’s Largest Hot Cocoa Break. All events and rides are free with the purchase of a $5 Alpenfest pin; more information at gaylordalpenfrost.com.

Sno-Blast – East Jordan

More than 1,200 people descend on the quaint logging and iron town of East Jordan for Sno-Blast, also running Feb. 5–6. A huge chili supper on Friday night is followed by the crowning of the fest’s Winter Knight and the Belle of the Blizzard. On Saturday, view vintage vehicles at the Classic and Antique Snowmobile show, check out the snow sculptures or try to catch a big one at the Walleye Fishing Tournament. Event costs vary; more information at ejchamber.org/events.

Winterfest – Glen Lake

This one-day-only fest (Saturday, Feb. 13) also includes chili, with their Chili Cook- Off kicking off at noon at the Boonedocks restaurant. Smart fishermen and women know to set that alarm clock early for the fest’s most popular event: the Perch Fishing Contest, starting at 7am on Big and Little Glen lakes, with first through fourth place catches receiving awards at the Sportsman Shop. And, there’s plenty of ice skating for all! Admission is $10 per person for unlimited chili samples or enter your own chili for $25. Entry fee for fishing contest is $20. More information at visitglenarbor.com.

Winter Carnival - Petoskey

Feb. 11–14 are the dates for Petoskey’s big winter event at the Winter Sports Park in downtown Petoskey and in Pennsylvania Park; the latter will be festooned with ice sculptures. This 88th edition of the carnival starts on Thursday with a progressive dinner, continues through Friday with the Chocoholic Frolic and Ghost Walk and really gets moving on the weekend with a 5K, broomball tournament, ice skating, bumpjumping and festival favorite: the Cardboard Classic sled race. Event costs vary. More information at petoskeydowntown.com

Winterlochen - Interlochen

Free activities begin at 10am at this year’s Winterlochen (Saturday, Feb. 20 only), Interlochen Center for the Arts’ version of a local winter festival, complete with their trademark artistic flair. Expect wintery activities like snow painting and s’mores-making, plus student performances right alongside a food court and a featured live concert at 1pm. This year’s live music is from Mucca Pazza, a massive hybrid band with more than two dozen members performing a circus-like mix of soul, funk, rock, punk and New Orleans marching music.

Events and the live show are free, but ticket reservations are suggested. More information at interlochen.org/winterlochen.