Every year, the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and Schweitzer Mountain put on an amazing chain of events that brightens up the boring winter months: the Winter Carnival. There are dozens of events to choose from, but I have your back with a list of some favorite events you should put at the top of your list. All information is from Sandpoint Winter Carnival’s website. 

Winter Carnival Cornhole Classic

Mickduff’s Beer Hall will be hosting this fun cornhole competition on Friday the 14th at 6 pm. It will be hard to miss, as the majority of 1st street downtown will be blocked off for the tournament. Luckily, all skill levels are welcome, so don’t miss this opportunity to add some festiveness to these dull winter months. Visit sandpointwintercarnival.com to sign up for this fun sandbag-throwing event for $10 per person.

Family Fun Day + Winter Games at the Granary

This one will be an extremely family friendly event, and is sure to have something for everyone. From 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday, February 16, this event will be loaded with live music, food and drink, snowman building competitions, and more. 

Let It Glow Night Parade / Fireworks

This Schweizter event is a classic Winter Carnival event. During the light parade, kids who are registered receive LED lights called “torches” follow a leader down Midway, creating an amazing opportunity for long-exposure photography. After this parade, there will be a fireworks show that will light up the mountain. This event is free and will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 16; view the show from the Schweitzer village.

Eichardt’s K9 Keg Pull

Arguably the best event of the entire Winter Carnival is the K9 Keg Pull, which intertwines two things that Sandpoint loves: beer and dogs. This beloved race will be on Sunday, February 23. Differing from years past, when the event was hosted at Evans Brothers’ Coffee Roasters, the race will be on downtown Cedar Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue (across from Eichardt’s). If you want to register your dog, show up at 10:15 am; the entry fee is $10, and proceeds go to Panhandle Animal Shelter. Races start at 11:00 am and go until 1:00 pm. Be ready to get covered in pet hair and dog slobber!

Get the Girls Out at Schweitzer Mountain

She Jumps! Is hosting the fifth annual “Get the Girls Out” event on Schweitzer Mountain from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This will include activities for girls and women of all ages and ability levels, including Nastar races, a themed luau dress-up, a raffle, and much more. Registration in $10, and you can register on Eventbrite or visit www.shejumps.com. The best part about this event is that all of the proceeds go to funding low-cost or free programs and camps for girls that promote outdoor activity, so it’s something that you can feel good supporting. 

These events are just few of the numerous happenings in the coming weeks. For a more extensive list, check out sandpointwintercarnival.com.