Gear up for the 36th annual Winter Carnival provided by the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association. This year's event is Thursday-Monday, January 14-18, 2010.

The long-standing tradition promotes area businesses by drawing visitors from across the region to enjoy the snowy playground in the Greater Sandpoint area...while also providing fun activities for the entire family. The Big Sky Journal has this to say about the event...

"Whether it was the dogs, the skiing or the fireworks, I’m convinced: Sandpoint is no longer for the beach bum in me, it’s a winter haven I won’t soon forget."

Kicking off Winter Carnival is the Chamber’s Taste of Sandpoint presented by Dine Around Sandpoint on Thursday, January 14th from 5 to 8 pm. Local favorites showcase their delectable culinary dishes, wines, and brews offering “tastes” of their finest.

New this year, Dine Around Sandpoint and Shop Around Sandpoint are part of the Winter Carnival experience. Restaurants abound with 3-course specials every evening starting at 5 pm, and downtown Sandpoint retailers offer a Passport to Prizes with two spectacular grand prizes.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, January 13

KPND Ski & Board Party • 5-8 p.m. at Coldwater Creek Wine Bar
It’s a Winter Carnival bonus event! Staging a day before the “official” carnival starts, the KPND Ski & Board Party is sponsored by Laughing Dog Brewing with its great beer on tap, and of course the wine bar’s panoply of fine wines. Hosts Jonny Knight and Mike Deprez will be leading the fun and handing out $1,000 worth of prizes. To get in, bring a donation for the Bonner County Food Bank.

Thursday, January 14

Taste of Sandpoint • 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Sandpoint Events Center, 515 Pine St.
Join the ravenous masses at this hugely popular Winter Carnival kickoff event! More than a dozen of Sandpoint’s terrific 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. Also, the Dine Around Sandpoint month-long promotion kicks off at this event.

Shop Around Sandpoint • All day, all around town
Sometimes it pays to go shopping! Visit participating retail shops in downtown Sandpoint during Winter Carnival to pick up a “Passport to Prizes” – collect just five stamps on the passport and turn it in to for a chance to win terrific prizes, including: Grand prize of two season passes to the 2010 Festival at Sandpoint, provided by 95.3 KPND, value $338; a night in the deluxe La Quinta suite; a $100 gift certificate for unique and funky clothing and gifts at Zany Zebra; a set of four area guidebooks from Keokee Books; and whole pile of $20 gift certificates at Sandpoint merchants including Cedar Street Bridge Café, Corner Book Store, Maps & More, Larson’s, Fairy Tales, Northwest Handmade and Blue Lizard. Drawing is at conclusion of Winter Carnival.

Friday, January 15

Winter Art Trek • 5-7 p.m. at downtown galleries and shops
Wander from shop to gallery around downtown Sandpoint to see original artworks by a plethora of fine local and regional artists. Nosh on complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks while you dissect the objects d’art, with the artists on hand to quiz and converse. Pick up self-guiding maps at locations all around town.

Ski and snowboard films • 5-8 p.m. at Taylor-Parker Chevrolet, 300 Cedar St.
Get an eyeful of derring-do on snow at these short action films, running on a loop so viewers can pop and out to catch a clip, or few, and warm up.

Bio-Luminesce Firedancers • 6-7 p.m. at Pend d’Oreille Winery, 220 Cedar St.
Enjoy the hypnotic pyrotechnical dance routines of these “fire spinners” as they combine acrobatics, modern dance, yoga, African, and Capoiera movements brilliantly outlined in live flames. It’s a performance you won’t forget.

Rail Jam and Bonfire • 6-9 p.m. at Jeff Jones Town Square, Main and Third
One of the biggest events of Winter Carnival, the rail jam is a freestyle contest where skiers and snowboarders put up their best acrobatic moves while sliding on handrails and other man-made features. Points are awarded for style, amplitude, difficulty, and variety. Spinneybent Rails will construct a humongous 30 ft.-wide and 100 ft.-long rail. Riders will compete for cash, and the spectators can keep warm and catch all the excitement by the roaring bonfire. (Jammers wanting to compete, pick up early registration forms at the new DSBA office, Oak and Third; or on-site the day of the event.)

Shop Around Sandpoint • All day, all around town
It’s the second day of this five-day shopping spree and contest! Visit participating retail shops in downtown Sandpoint to pick up a “Passport to Prizes” – collect just five stamps on the passport and turn it in to win terrific prizes; see the whompin’ list above.

Dine Around Sandpoint • 5 p.m. till closing, all around town
A first-ever event, Dine Around Sandpoint starts at 15 restaurants around town featuring different special each evening, at special prices ranging from $15 to $30. And every time you dine around Sandpoint at participating restaurants, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize: Dinner out once a month for a full year. Come hungry! Pick up a map to participating restaurants at locations around town; or get more details at DineAroundSandpoint.com.

Saturday, January 16

Family Fun Day & Coffee Tasting • 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m., 524 Church St.
Savor hand-crafted coffees at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasting Studio along with great food, live music by Justin Landis and indoor/outdoor activities for kids of all ages, including snow slides, snowman photos, cookie decorating, a magic show at 11 a.m., and more. Roasting Studio will be highlighting their new Organic Nicaraguan Coffee and offering event specials. Donations collected for 24 Hours for Hank, a non-profit organization supporting research for Cystinosis research.

Candy-O-Rama • Tasting 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bonner Mall
Satisfy your sweet tooth and help judge the best homemade fudge or candy. Tasting and judging is followed by awards at 2 p.m. To enter your own best fudge or candy, come between 9-11 a.m. and bring 2 pounds cut into 2.5-inch pieces. Info at 208-263-4272

Winter Art Trek • 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at downtown galleries and shops
Art showings continue all day at shops and galleries around town. Wander from shop to gallery around downtown Sandpoint to see original artworks by a plethora of fine local and regional artists. Pick up self-guiding maps at locations around town.

Winter Carnival Chili Cookoff • Tasting 1-3 p.m. at Bonner Mall
Wouldn’t hardly be Winter Carnival without the annual chili cookoff. Enter your own best recipe, or come prepared to chow down on some of the steamiest chili this side of the Rio Grande. Entrants, come at 10 a.m. to start cooking (bring a cook stove and fixings for at least 2 gallons of chili; $5 entry fee). Tasters get to be the judges and choose the People’s Choice winner, awarded at 3 p.m. Cash prizes for first through third places. Info at 208-263-4272

Shop Around Sandpoint • All day, all around town
It’s the third of five days for this shopping spree and contest. Visit participating retail shops in downtown Sandpoint to pick up a “Passport to Prizes” – collect just five stamps on the passport and turn it in to win terrific prizes; see the whompin’ list above.

Dine Around Sandpoint • 5 p.m. till closing, all around town
The fine eating continues, as 15 restaurants around town feature different specials each evening, at special prices ranging from $15 to $30. Diners at participating restaurants will be entered to win a grand prize: Dinner out once a month for a full year. Maps to participating restaurants available around town; more details at DineAroundSandpoint.com.

Schweitzer torchlight parade and fireworks • Schweitzer Mountain Resort
It’s a Winter Carnival signature event where Schweitzer lights up the night with its annual torchlight parade and fireworks. The parade starts with a promenade of snowcats grooming their way down the J.R. run above the village, followed by a constellation of skier-powered torchlights weaving fire trails down the mountain; it all ends with a bang with a grand fireworks show over the village and the snow-covered slopes.

Sunday, January 17

K-9 Keg Pull • 10 a.m.-noon, Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar St.
Great fun, and just possibly the most endearing event you’ll ever attend, dogs of all shapes and sizes sprint for glory down a snow-packed course pulling appropriately sized “kegs” – for a chihuahua, that’s a beer can, while mighty rotts or shepherds pull full-size kegs. Dogs race against the clock while their owners urge them on and spectators contribute a cacophony of cheers. The $5 entry fee goes straight to the local animal shelter. Bring your own dog to race (just get their early) or merely enjoy the spectacle; you’ll love it.

Shop Around Sandpoint • All day, all around town
It’s Day Four for this five-day shopping spree and contest. Visit participating retail shops to stamp your “Passport to Prizes” for a chance to win a pile o’prizes; check the list above.

Dine Around Sandpoint • 5 p.m. till closing, all around town
The fine eating continues, as 15 restaurants around town feature different specials each evening; diners will be entered to win a year of monthly dinners out. See more at DineAroundSandpoint.com.

Monday, January 18

Shop Around Sandpoint • Till 3 p.m., all around town
It’s the final day and your last chance to get your passport stamped and into the drawing for amazing prizes. Passports, available all around town, must be turned in to participating retailers by 3 p.m.; the drawing and announcement of the grand prize winner will be on 95.3 KPND shortly after. Is it worth it? Check this list o’prizes: Grand prize of two season passes to the 2010 Festival at Sandpoint, provided by 95.3 KPND, value $338; a night in the deluxe La Quinta suite; a $100 gift certificate for unique and funky clothing and gifts at Zany Zebra; a set of four area guidebooks from Keokee Books; and whole pile of $20 gift certificates at Sandpoint merchants including Cedar Street Bridge Café, Corner Book Store, Maps & More, Larson’s, Fairy Tales, Northwest Handmade and Blue Lizard.

Dine Around Sandpoint • 5 p.m. till closing, all around town
The fine dining continues, as 15 restaurants around town feature different specials each evening; diners will be entered to win a year of monthly dinners out. See more at DineAroundSandpoint.com.