At least 1,500 people are expected to gather in Curtis for a Winter Carnival on the ice Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"This is the biggest day of the winter for the community," said Pat MacLachlan of the Curtis Chamber of Commerce. "Resorts, restaurants, bars, snowmobile rentals - everyone is busy."

A highlight of the event is the popular Curtis Fish Coop, in which a wire cage filled with about 1,000 trout is submerged under the ice on South Manistique Lake. A shack is constructed on the ice, from which children enjoy a day of fishing for trout through holes drilled in the ice, and prizes are awarded.

Fishing costs $3 for ages up to 15, and $5 for adults.

"Another favorite of the children is the big pinata" filled with prizes, said Ms. MacLachlan.

A Great Northern Chili cookoff, ice golf, children's games, and snow sculpting contest will also be offered at the carnival.

Food vendors, music, and a bake sale will take place, along with a bowling game using frozen turkeys, and a youth mini sled challenge.

New this year will be a euchre tournament in which players will sit on blocks of ice. Registration for the tournament begins at 10 a.m.

A tethered hot air balloon will be on display on the ice by Sky Adventures of Oxford.

A fireworks display will light the sky above the lake at dusk.

Carnival entry buttons are $3. The numbered buttons will automatically enter participants into door prize drawings.

Games and the chili cook-off will take place from noon to 2 p.m. For $2, people can sample all of the chili entries and vote for a favorite.

Volunteers make the carnival possible, Ms. MacLachlan said, and this year, last-minute donations to the Three Lakes Fireworks Council saved the fireworks display from cancellation owing to lack of funding.

To close the carnival, the Lions Club will host a fundraising pancake breakfast Sunday, February 15, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Curtis Community Building.