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2012 Schedule of Events -- This year's Sandpoint Winter Carnival wrapped up Feb. 26. Check back early in 2013 to see next year's roster of Sandpoint Winter Carnival events.

Every day:

- Dine Around Sandpoint

All day, all around town
A host of restaurants around town feature different specials each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And every time you dine around Sandpoint at participating restaurants, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize: A meal out once a month for a full year. Pick up a map to participating restaurants at locations around town. See more at DineAroundSandpoint.com.

- Shop Around Sandpoint

All day, all around town
Sometimes it pays to go shopping! In Shop Around Sandpoint, participating stores will stamp “passports” that enter shoppers into a drawing for prizes. Click to download and print the Shop Around passport (pdf, 762 KB).

- Passport Fun

All day at Schweitzer

Pick up your passport at the Activity Center; they are free and can be picked up any day of winter carnival. You have the whole week to complete them. Fill them in and have a chance to win a Nintendo DS!

Friday, February 17

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

The Sandpoint Shopping District hosts a special Winter Carnival Crazy Days event over seven days: February 17, 18, 19, 20 (President's Day), 24, 25 and 26. Just like Crazy Days in summer but with tents. Same great deals, same big fun. See more at SandpointShoppingDistrict.com.

- Bio-Luminesce Fire Dancers

6:30 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. Word to the wise: This outdoor event has been standing room only the past couple years, so arrive early to claim your spot. See more at Bio-Luminesce.com >

- Downtown Rail Jam and Bonfires

7 p.m. to 9 p.m., 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 provides the 30-foot-wide, 100-foot-long rail. Riders compete for cash, and spectators can keep warm and catch the excitement by roaring bonfires. Contestants, click to download and print the Rail Jam release (pdf, 102 KB).

- Ski Joring Registration Party

4 p.m., Laughing Dog Brewing, 1109 Fontaine Dr., Ponderay
If you have a fast horse or are good on skis (also handy: nerves of steel!) then why not? Ski Joring is a Scandinavian-inspired, centuries-old contest with horses and riders pulling skiers around a course at breakneck speeds. You can enter as a team or individually to be paired with either a rider or skier. See more at SandpointSkijoring.com >

Saturday, February 18

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- Ski Joring

Noon to 4 p.m., Bonner County Fairgrounds (gates open at 11 a.m.)

One horse, one rope, one skier ... it's skijoring and it's back! The newest and biggest event, Ski Joring made its debut in Sandpoint last year. Combining two favorite action pastimes, skiing and horseback riding, Ski Joring is an action-packed Scandinavian sport that involves horses and riders pulling skiers at high speeds around a course of jumps and gates. Did we just mix barrel bacing with slalom ski racing? Ski Joring is an equally exciting show for spectators. Bring all to this family-friendly event. There will be booths, food, and some fun surprises. Best times for the day receive a cash prize. Admission is FREE but a $3 parking fee will be collected. New this year, divisions for juniors and women. See more at SandpointSkijoring.com >

- Country-Style BBQ Dinner and Western Hoedown

5 p.m. to close, Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St.

Country Western party in honor of Ski Joring with a special menu. Live music and dancing begins at 7 p.m.

- Schweitzer Events

Schweitzer Extreme XC Race
All Day Complimentary Nastar Runs for first-time racers
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Village Scavenger Hunt
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poker Skiing
9 a.m. Hosted Introductory Snowshoe Hike
11 a.m. to noon Snowshoe Hike

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Crafting with Creations
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Night Skiing
Tubing Sessions at 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30

- LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends in Concert

8 p.m., Panida Theater (doors open at 7 p.m.), 208-263-9191

Fresh off the national reality show "The X Factor" as one of the final contestants, LeRoy Bell makes a return appearance to Sandpoint. Bell has performed with greats such as Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Etta James and many others. The concert featuring LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends is presented by 95.3 KPND Radio. $20 general admission; tickets available in advance at Eichardt's Pub and Eve's Leaves in Sandpoint, The Long Ear in Coeur d'Alene, and 4000 Holes in Spokane. Check out the buzz by visiting LeRoy Bell on Facebook.

Sunday, February 19

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- Ski Joring

Noon to 4 p.m., Bonner County Fairgrounds (gates open at 11 a.m.)

Skijoring continues for the second day as participants try to combine their two-day times for the big prize money. Also featured in the afternoon is the Style division, where skiers and snowboarders try out their best jumps, jibs and tricks while being pulled by horse and rider. Admission is FREE but a $3 parking fee will be collected. See more at SandpointSkijoring.com >

- Schweitzer Events

All Day Complimentary Nastar Runs for first-time racers
All Day Village Scavenger Hunt
11 a.m. to noon Snowshoe Hike
10 a.m. Transceiver Training
10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Kid Awesome Hour of Awesomeness
1 p.m. Snow Volleyball Game in the Village
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Night Skiing
5 p.m. Wii Dance Tournament for a Nintendo DS!
Tubing Sessions at 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30

- Annual 2/19 party

10 a.m. to close, The 219 Bar and Lounge, 219 N. First Ave.

Food and drink specials at Sandpoint's only "5 star dive bar"... serving Sandpoint for more than 75 years.

- Starbucks and Spuds American Idol Doggy Style, Pet Look-Alike Contest

Alas, this event has been CANCELLED. But keep your dog happy and be sure to catch the K9 Keg Pull on Feb. 26 (see below for details).

Monday, February 20

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- Schweitzer Events

3:30 p.m. Airboarding
Tubing Sessions at 11:30, 1:00, 2:30

Tuesday, February 21
- Schweitzer Events

6 p.m. Parent Night Out (Kid’s Activities)
6 p.m. Parent Night Out (adult wine tasting event at Gourmandie)

- New Orleans-Style Mardi Gras Dinner and Party

5 p.m. to close, Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St.

You don't have to be in New Orleans to enjoy this special Fat Tuesday event celebrating Mardi Gras right here in northern Idaho. Live music begins at 7 p.m.

- Winter Goldsprint

6 p.m., Laughing Dog Brewing, 1109 Fontaine Dr., Ponderay

Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair and Laughing Dog Brewing sponsor this bike race on rollers with the forks fixed in which two riders battle it out head-to-head for 500 meters at speeds in excess of 60 mph in front of a cheering crowd. Enter in the double elimination tournament field and/or call out your friends (or friendemies) to a single grudge match. All equipment is supplied, just bring your legs and lungs. In the end, it's all biking fun. $5 entry fee, and $1 grudge match. Call Greasy Fingers at 208-255-4496 or visit GreasyFingersBikes.com for more information.

Wednesday, February 22
- Schweitzer Events

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Winter Fun Pass (tubing and zipline available)

- KPND Ski & Board Party

5 p.m. to close, Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St.

Laughing Dog Brewing and Trinity at City Beach host the KPND Ski and Board Party with Glen Lefay and Mike Deprez for an evening of fun, prizes and more.

Thursday, February 23
- Taste of Sandpoint

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sandpoint Events Center, 515 Pine St.
Join the ravenous masses at this hugely popular Winter Carnival event! More than a dozen 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. Check out the Dine Around Sandpoint monthlong promotion while at this event. See more at DineAroundSandpoint.com.

- Schweitzer Events

10 a.m. to noon SS Hike

Friday, February 24

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- Schweitzer Events

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Crafting with Creations

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Night Skiing
Tubing Sessions at 4:00, 5:30

6:15 p.m. Outrageous Air Show. Olympic skiers join local talent in a Big Air Show with a torchlight parade at Schweitzer. Crazy themed parties follow in Taps.

- 7th Annual Adult Spelling Bee

6:30 p.m., Sandpoint Financial Center at Panhandle State Bank, 414 Church St.

It's a Spell-a-bration! The Bonner County Daily Bee's Adult Spelling Bee raises money for literacy by challenging spellers to compete in a whacky, costumed contest. Lots of food and drinks, free admission. Call 208-263-9534 to sign up a team of four.

Saturday, February 25

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- Family Fun Day and Coffee Tasting

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Evans Brothers Coffee, 524 Church St.

Enjoy coffee tasting at this local roastery with treats for the adults and a magic show, craft projects and more for the kids.

- Schweitzer Events

11 a.m. Snowshoe Hike

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Crafting with Creations

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Night Skiing
6:15 p.m. Outrageous Air Show. Olympic skiers join local talent in a Big Air Show with a torchlight parade at Schweitzer. Crazy themed parties follow in Taps.
Tubing Sessions at 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30

Sunday, February 26

- Winter Crazy Days

All day, Downtown Sandpoint

- K9 Keg Pull

10 a.m. to 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 there early) or merely enjoy the spectacle; you’ll love it.

- Schweitzer Events

11 a.m. to noon Snowshoe Hike
10 a.m. Transceiver Training
10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Kid Awesome Hour of Awesomeness
1:30 p.m. Passport Drawing in Activity Center for an amazing prize!
3:30 p.m. Airboarding
Tubing Sessions at 11:30, 1:00, 2:30