Mackinaw City will host its 16th annual Winterfest Thursday, January 15, through Saturday, January 17, 2009. The event includes amateur and professional snow carving, outhouse races, sleigh rides, poker walk, chili cook-off, indoor ice skating, euchre tournament, and an ice fishing tournament from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carp Lake. Games will begin at noon at the marina open space.

The Outhouse Races will be Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Shepler lot on Huron and Central Avenues. This event starts with the parade of outhouses. Prizes will be awarded. The races are open to adult and junior teams. This year the prize money is sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion Post 159 in Mackinaw City.

For more information or a list of rules, call (231) 818-1362.

The Chili Cook Off competition begins Saturday at the American Legion Post on South Huron Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Only the first five registered entries will be accepted, owing to space requirements. The Legion also coordinates this annual event. Tasting and people's choice awards voting require a Winterfest Button. Rules and entry forms are available from the Chamber of Commerce at (231) 436-5574.

Mancino's Euchre Tournament is Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the restaurant. The tournament has a $5 entry fee, with a Winterfest button. Registration is from 11 a.m. to noon. Call Diane Fry for more information at (231) 436- 7474.

Weather permitting, snow sculpting competition will begin January 15 and continue through January 17. Judging and awards for the sculptors will be Saturday, January 17, at 1:15 p.m. and cash prizes are sponsored by the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau. Local snow sculptors can register for the competition until January 9, which is also the sculpting event cancel date.

Other Saturday events on Central Avenue include the warming house at Pancake Chef (the location of Friday's Fish Fry), a poker walk from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Candy Corner Windjammer Gifts, and sleigh/wagon rides from noon to 2:30 p.m. sponsored by Marshall's Fudge and Candy and Mackinaw Clothing Store.

Various restaurants and bars are offering Winterfest specials and entertainment Thursday through Saturday.

Most of activities are free with a $2 yellow Winterfest button. Buttons can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce Depot location, various businesses around town, and at each event site during the festival until sold out. Check the number on the back of a button to win a cash prize. Winning numbers will be posted at the Winterfest Sound Trailer, Chamber of Commerce office, and the Ice Fishing Contest at 11 a.m. during the event.

Winterfest button winners must claim their winning envelopes by Friday, January 23.

Audie's Black Tie Scholarship Ball presents "Polar Nights," a scholarship fundraiser, Saturday, January 17, from 8 p.m. to midnight. It includes music, a cocktail reception, and hors d' oeuvres. For more information, call Audie's at (231) 436-5744.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, call the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce at (888) 455-8100.