The perfect antidote to cabin fever, Sandpoint’s Winter Carnival, is being held Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Jan 14 - 18. Numerous activities will be held in downtown Sandpoint and at Schweitzer Mountain. Many event favorites will return, including the Taste of Sandpoint, Fireworks at Schweitzer and the K-9 Keg Pull. New this year are Dine Around Sandpoint and Shop Around Sandpoint.
Jan. 14
Taste of Sandpoint Kick-Off Event
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The kick-off event for the Taste of Sandpoint will be held at the Sandpoint Events Center. Tickets are available for $1 each, with the average sample dish, brew, or glass of wine running from $3-$7.
Jan. 15
Winter ArtTrek
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Winter ArtTrek will be staged in a variety of wine bars, galleries and shops in downtown Sandpoint Friday night the 15th. Self-guided walking brochures are available at the Chamber, DSBA office and many shops downtown.
Taste of Sandpoint
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Winter Carnival Railjam & Fire Dance
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The Winter Carnival Railjam is a freestyle contest in the Jeff Jones Town Square. Skiers and snowboarders compete at sliding on handrails and other manmade features. Points are awarded for style, difficulty and variety. Spinneybent Rails will construct a 20-foot tall, 90-foot long, custom-built rail slide. Riders compete for cash, while spectators keep warm by the bonfire.
Dine Around Sandpoint
Many local restaurants showcase their culinary talents with fixed price, 3-course dinner menus ranging in price from $15 to $30. Visit www.dinearoundsandpoint.com for restaurant and menu details.
Shop Around Sandpoint
Visit participating retail shops in downtown Sandpoint during Winter Carnival to pick up a “Passport to Prizes” – collect a half dozen stamps to win terrific prizes, including two season passes to the 2010 Festival at Sandpoint, a night in the deluxe La Quinta suite, lift tickets for skiing at Schweitzer Mountain, or a set of four area guidebooks from Keokee Books.
Jan. 16
Family Fun Day & Coffee Tasting at Evans Brothers Coffee
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Savor hand-crafted coffees at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasting Studios along with food, live music and indoor and outdoor activities for kids of all ages, including a snow ball toss, snow slides, snow man photos, art projects and more.
Winter ArtTrek
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Schweitzer Lights up the Night
6 p.m.
Saturday night is arguably the highlight of the weekend with a spectacular torchlight parade and fireworks show starting at 6 pm at Schweitzer Mountain. www.schweitzer.com
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day
Shop Around Sandpoint
All day
Jan. 17
Eichardt’s K9 Keg Pull
10 a.m.
The weekend is capped off with the ever-popular K-9 Keg Pull, as dogs of all sizes race down the Eichardt’s alley pulling kegs of various sizes. The race starts Sunday Jan 17 at 10 am but dogs should be registered at 9 am.
The Dover Bay Midwinter Art Fest
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day
Shop Around Sandpoint
All day
Lodging packages, and the most current events list are at www.SandpointWinterCarnival.com. For more information on lodging and activities, contact the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association at (208) 255-1876.
