Events at the Sandpoint Winter Carnival
Schedule of Events — Take a look below to see all the fun happenings you can expect this year … and plan on being here for the 41st annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival!
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Every day
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town (Feb. 16 through March 16)
Are you ready to eat out and win some great prizes? Join over 30 Sandpoint-area restaurants during the 7th Annual Dine Around Sandpoint. Enjoy a meal at one of your favorite participating restaurants from Feb. 16, 2015 through March 16, 2015, and have a chance to win daily prizes and be eligible for the grand prize of a meal out a month for two people at 12 of the participating restaurants. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Wednesday, February 11
KPND Ski and Board Party
Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St., hosts the KPND Ski and Board Party starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy great prizes, food and drink specials, and lots of fun! 208-255-7558
Beer Hall Bingo
MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts Bingo Night at 6:15 p.m. It is free for everyone and the longer you are there, the more game cards you get! 208-209-6700
Thursday, February 12
Chocolate Extravaganza
Delicious chocolate and so much more … Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper cordially invites you to the 2015 Chocolate Extravaganza winter fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Cedar Street Bridge. Taste an amazing selection of specialty chocolate desserts prepared by more than 15 local restaurants, and vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice Award for Best Dessert. Also enjoy wine and beer, raffle prizes, a silent auction and so much more. Come casual or dress for this year’s vintage theme! Tickets on sale soon, visit LakePendOreilleWaterkeeper.org.
Friday, February 13
Recreate Romance at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
Treat your sweetheart to a romantic evening of fabulous food and music. Enjoy a candle-lit, five-course dinner in the lodge prepared by Chef Sally. Maria Larson and her band will treat you to sweet sounds throughout the evening. Take a step back in time in a one-horse open sleigh, and stay overnight in a cozy lodge room or in one of the hand-hewn log cabins. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Call for pricing and reservations at 208-263-9066, or visit WesternPleasureGuestRanch.com for more information.
Starlight Race Series
Presented by Rossignol, the Starlight Race Series is a super fun four-week race series for adult (ages 21+) skiers, snowboarders, and telemarkers on Friday nights. After-party follows in Taps.
Parade of Lights and Bonfire
The wild ‘n’ crazy Parade of Lights arrives in downtown Sandpoint with its legions of zany floats, marching groups, and snow-shovel brigades! Calling all greater Sandpoint businesses, organizations and groups who want to get out there, show some local pride, have some fun and light up the night. There is no fee to participate in the Parade of Lights, but you must register to take part – download your Parade of Lights registration form here. Sponsored by the Sandpoint Business Improvement District. For more information, contact Kim at 208-263-2161 or by e-mail at kim@sandpointchamber.com.
Cirque de Sandpoint
Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts a true carnival experience, including an aerial silk performance, fire dancing, as well as a local dance troupe performance. Enjoy refreshments and entertainment, all happening on Third Avenue by Jeff Jones Square, right after the Parade of the Lights.
Skijoring Registration
(Venue TBA)
Saturday, February 14
Sleigh Ride & Dinner Show at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
This memorable evening begins with a nostalgic horse-drawn sleigh ride powered by one of the ranch’s draft teams. After the ride, enjoy the beauty and comfort of the lodge where you will be served a scrumptious ranch dinner. Conclude the evening with live music with Darin Hilderbrand. Sleigh rides at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m., and enjoy the music from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are required and space is limited – call Janice at 208-263-9066 or visit WesternPleasureGuestRanch.com for more information.
Pardi Gras
Grab your beads and join the fun at 3:30 p.m. in Taps at Schweitzer Mountain Resort for the second installment of Music with Altitude! We’ll have live music featuring Dimestore Prophets and drink specials featuring a Winterfest selection from Centennial.
Cornhole Tournament
MickDuff’s Brewing Company Beer Hall & Brewery, 220 Cedar St., sponsors a King of the Cornhole Tournament with registration starting at noon and first toss at 1 p.m. The cost is $10 buy-in per team, and 100 percent of registration fees are paid out as cash prizes. MickDuff’s matches the pot up to $100 in gift cards. Winners get complimentary Mug Club Membership until the next monthly tournament champions are crowned. 208-209-6700
Sunday, February 15
2nd Annual Fat Bike Poker Ride
Riders are invited on a 5-mile trek through the groomed trails at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, stopping at four locations as they build a poker hand in an attempt to win a grand prize. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the Poker Ride starts at 1 p.m. Following the ride, participants can enjoy refreshments, hot drinks and awards for the winning poker hand at the After Party. Sponsored by Greasy Fingers Bikes N’ Repair & Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.
Sleigh Ride & Dinner Show at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
This memorable evening begins with a nostalgic horse-drawn sleigh ride powered by one of the ranch’s draft teams. After the ride, enjoy the beauty and comfort of the lodge where you will be served a scrumptious ranch dinner. Conclude the evening with live music with Devon Wade. Sleigh rides at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m., and enjoy the music from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are required and space is limited – call Janice at 208-263-9066 or visit WesternPleasureGuestRanch.com for more information.
Apres Party in Taps & Laser Light Show at Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Schweitzer Mountain Resort. CoJoin your friends at Taps for the third installment of Music with Altitude! Before the Laser Show, Schweitzer will have live music featuring B Radicals (3:30 p.m.). After the Laser Show (7 p.m.), DJ B Breaks takes over spinning the tunes. And to top it all off we’ll have drink specials featuring a Winterfest selection from Centennial pouring all afternoon!
Monday, February 16
Dine Around Sandpoint Begins
All day, all around town
A host of restaurants around town feature different specials each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And every time you dine around Sandpoint at participating restaurants, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize: A meal out once a month for a full year. Pick up a map to participating restaurants at locations around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort Passport Event
Details to come.
Tuesday, February 17
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Trivia Tuesday
MickDuff’s, 312 N. First Ave., hosts Trivia Night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prizes and bragging rights to the winning team — arrive early as tables fill up fast! 208-255-4351
Wednesday, February 18
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Come on up for a day that’s filled with fun Winter Carnival activities.
Beer Hall Bingo
MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts Bingo Night at 6:15 p.m. It is free for everyone and the longer you are there, the more game cards you get! 208-209-6700!
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Thursday, February 19
Winter Bites
The Sandpoint Events Center hosts the Winter Bites (formerly known as the Taste of Sandpoint), sponsored by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Join the ravenous masses at this hugely popular Winter Carnival event! More than a dozen restaurants offer up tasty samples of their best specialties at bite-sized prices. Tickets are available at the door for $1 each; the average sample dish, brew or glass of wine is $3 to $7. For more information, please contact Cecily at the Chamber, 208-263-2161 or e-mail cecily@sandpointchamber.com.
2:19 at the 219
The 219 Lounge – Sandpoint’s “Five Star Dive Bar!” – hosts their annual 219 party, beginning at 2:19 p.m. at the 219 Lounge on 2/19. We will have food from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. All draft beers will be $2.19 a pint and various drink specials for $2.19!
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Friday, February 20
Live Music with Bruce Bishop
Trinity at City Beach features live music from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with Bruce Bishop.
Third Friday Live Music
MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts Third Friday Live Music from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with Devon Wade. Third Fridays are a Canadian thing – lots of Canadians have the third Friday of the month off work. So MickDuffs wants to celebrate, too! Free and open to the public; ages 21 and older. 208-209-6700
Starlight Race Series
Presented by Rossignol, the Starlight Race Series is a super fun four-week race series for adult (ages 21+) skiers, snowboarders, and telemarkers on Friday nights. After-party follows in Taps.
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Saturday, February 21
SnowSchool Experience
Schweitzer Mountain Fire Station, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., FREE, 8 years or older, parents/guardians encouraged to attend, Space is limited and pre-registration required.
Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE) will be offering FREE SnowSchool Experience programming as part of Sandpoint’s Winter Carnival! In conjunction with our partners Schweitzer Mountain Resort and the Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), this program is part of the nation’s largest on-snow winter ecology program. Our primary goal is to provide an affordable and accessible winter outdoor education opportunities for our local area youth in traditional or homeschool academic settings to get “out and about” to explore – achieve – lead, all while having some good ol’ fashioned F-U-N. Guaranteed.
SOLE’s SnowSchool Experience program provides the gear and the outing – prepped and planned. Students experience a fun experiential place-based curriculum that focus on: winter ecology, snow science and winter outdoor living and travel skills. Our Winter Carnival SnowSchool Experience program provides a snapshot of our full and half-day programs. Register online.
– Contact SOLE at: info@soleexperiences.org or 928.351.SOLE (7653).
Skijoring
Presented by Mountain Horse Adventures and Trinity at City Beach.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and competition begins at noon, Bonner County Fairgrounds
One horse, one rope, one skier … it’s skijoring, and it’s back for the Sandpoint Winter Carnival for its 5th year running! Skijoring combines two favorite action pastimes — skiing and horseback riding. Skijoring is an action-packed Scandinavian sport that involves horses and riders pulling skiers at high speeds around a course of jumps and gates. Skijoring is an equally exciting spectator show for the entire family. Trinity at City Beach will be on hand serving food and drink. Expect some fun surprises. Best times for the day receive a cash prize. Divisions running will be Open, Sport, and Mule/Draft. More than $3,500 in cash and prizes this year! $7 admission per person; parking and children under 12 are free. SandpointSkijoring.com.
Let It Glow Fireworks Show! Winter Carnival Finale
All-day celebration at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Get your neon ski-on by wearing your vintage neon ski apparel – you know, the outfit in the back of the closet that you can’t even imagine wearing again. At 6 p.m., it’s Glow Parade and Fireworks time! This time it is the kids turn to be in the light parade – come up and watch our best little skiers on the mountain. Kids 12 and under are welcome and we will have “glow torches” for the first 100 kids. Parents can ski nearby and the kids must be intermediate or better skiers. This is a great time to bring out all of your battery powered Christmas lights or EL lights to help glow up the village. Fireworks follow, exploding the night with more “glowiness.” After fireworks – what to do? Get lit at the blacklight party in Taps with more glow and more show! See more at Schweitzer.com.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Concert at The Hive!
The Hive, 207 First Ave. in downtown Sandpoint, hosts a concert with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show begins at 9 p.m. The band is back on the road for a multi-city tour in support of their latest studio album, New Ammo, an infectious 13-track collection, and Denson’s debut release on Slightly Stoopid’s record label, Stoopid Records. Tickets are $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. Click to purchase tickets online at LiveFromTheHive.com.
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.
Sunday, February 22
K9 Keg Pull, Neighborhood Coffee Tasting and Family Faire
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Evans Brothers Coffee and The Granary
One of Sandpoint’s most endearing and popular events, the annual K9 Keg Pull is held at the Granary location to combine with Evans Brothers Coffee’s Neighborhood Coffee Tasting and Family Faire, making for one big event not to be missed! The Keg Pull starts at 10 a.m., with dogs of all sizes racing down a snow-packed course pulling anywhere from full-size kegs to beer cans, amidst a pandemonium of cheering from the crowd. $5 entry fee goes to the Panhandle Animal Shelter.
A free Neighborhood Coffee Tasting takes place at Evans Brothers Coffee from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with hot chocolate for the kids. Plus, Evans Brothers Coffee is partnering with Waldorf School in sponsoring a Family Faire complete with magic show, felt soap making, face painting, candle making and other crafts and activities. A great time for the entire family, dogs included!
Explore Schweitzer Mountain Resort Nordic Event
Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts a choose-your-own-adventure event with stations set up around the mountain — it’s up to you to decide how many stations you want to visit in the allotted time. Each station you visit will give you a voucher for a raffle ticket (or tickets) and the ticket quantity varies with each station so plan your route to maximize the number of raffle tickets you get. You can only get a voucher from each station one time so try and visit as many as possible before heading to the finish to turn in your vouchers. Once everyone’s raffle tickets area accounted for we’ll raffle off a pile of swag! Check out the Station Map to see all the station locations and their values.
Skijoring
Gates open at 11 a.m. and competition begins at noon, Bonner County Fairgrounds
Skijoring continues for the second day as participants try to combine their two-day times for the big prize money. (See listing for Saturday, above, for more details). Divisions running will be Open, Sport and Women’s. Admission is $5, but parking and children under 12 are free. SandpointSkijoring.com.
Apres Party in Taps at Schweitzer
Join your friends at Taps and enjoy live music featuring the Devon Wade Band starting at 3:30 p.m.
Dine Around Sandpoint
All day, all around town. For more information, visit the Dine Around Sandpoint Facebook Page.