Almost all of the winter carnival activities were on Saturday when we viewed the completed sculptures and did a little shopping. It cost only $2 to get a badge that gave admission to most activities. There were free horse drawn wagon rides, but it wasn't clear how often they went out or how many people could ride at once, so we didn't chance waiting on the ride. We did appreciate the free hot chocolate and coffee at the warming area in the Pancake Chef restaurant.

Mackinaw City has an annual fund raiser where the person that predicts when the ice tower in front of the village hall will melt wins at least $1,000. The official time is when an electronic device frozen into the ice drops to the ground. In 2008 it fell on April 24 and the lucky guessers won $1,700. Linda and I each made a guess for this winter for $5.

The photo below is from the outhouse races on Saturday. Although wind chill was below zero, you might notice that the starter is wearing shorts.

Linda had new boots that weren't very warm and we didn't stay out very long after the races began.

There are about 9 restaurants open in Mackinaw that are open year around and during this trip I managed to have meals of local whitefish, perch and walleye. We dined at the Key Hole Bar & Grill, Dixie Saloon, and O'Reilly's Irish Pub. 

I think the best meal was at the Key Hole, but the heavy smoke keeps me from going there very often. I hope that Michigan or Mackinaw City pass a smoking ordinance soon. The Dixie has the neatest building with lots of wood and open space, but it and O'Reilly's share the same kitchen and offer the same food. The walleye fingers at O'Reilly's tasted like frozen fish sticks.

Most visits to Mackinaw City include buying fudge to take home to family and friends. The 85 year old Marshall's Fudge and Candy Company on Central Avenue is my personal favorite and it is open year around. Marshall's is the only Mackinac Fudge shop that has sent my orders correctly every time I have had them ship fudge. Linda is fond of their caramels.