President’s Day Weekend is going to be a busy time in Traverse City as it hosts the fourth annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest. This Michigan festival features more than 50 indoor and outdoor events from Friday evening to Monday morning: games, rides, competitions, fireworks, food tastings and children’s activities. It’s a great way to get out and have some winter fun!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Mt. Holiday Ski Area7pm: Downhill Dash – Hall’s Hollow (a top-to-bottom race on mountain bikes, ski bikes, skis or snowboards)
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
5-10pm: First Annual TC Winter Microbrew & Music Festival10pm-2am: After Party in Aerie Lounge featuring live music. Hosted by Short’s Brewery & Michigan Brewer’s Guild.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
*Complimentary shuttles provided from Resort to Downtown and Mt. Holiday throughout the day.
10am-5pm: “Winter Fun Zone” (skating, bonfires, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow climb) • Outdoor Winter Carnival Rides • Kid’s Petting Zoo • Ice Sculpture Park
10am-5pm: Winter Shopping Tour at Gallery of Shops
10am: Dog Sled Demonstrations
11am: Ice Sculpture Demonstration
11am-3pm: Kid’s Biathlon – Presented by the North American VASA Race (No registration or fee. Equipment provided.)
11am-1pm: Pony Rides
11am-5pm: Snowmobile Rides
11:30am: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #1 of 3
11:30am: Family Comedy Juggling Show
12pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #1 of 3
12pm: Dog Sled Demonstrations
12pm-3pm: Snow Golf Tournament at Winter Golf Center ($5 donation to Special Olympics Michigan. No advance registration. Prizes. For details: 231-534-6476)
12pm-4pm: Winter spa tour featuring FREE paraffin dip & hand massage
12pm-4pm: Outdoor Snow Film Festival (heated tent)
12pm-4pm: Resort’s GRAND Chili Cookoff Contest (heated tent); $10 for 12 samples. Vote for your favorite recipe!
1pm-5pm: Sleigh Rides
1pm: Special Olympics Michigan Polar Plunge
1pm: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #2 of 3
1pm-2pm: Strolling Balloon Twisting
1pm-5pm: Dog Sled Rides
1:30pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #2 of 3
2pm: Special Olympics Michigan Polar Plunge (followed by awards ceremony)
2:30pm: Family Comedy Juggling Show
3pm: Ice Sculpture Demonstration
3pm: Cherry Pie Eating Contest
3pm-5pm: Pony Rides
3:30pm: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #3 of 3
4pm-5pm: Strolling Balloon Twisting
4pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #3 of 35pm: -All Outdoor Activities Close-
Mt. Holiday
10am: Winterfest Rail Jam3:30 pm: Cardboard Bobsled-a-Rama
Grand Traverse County Civic Center10am: Opening Game of the Snowball Softball Tournament
Traverse City Visitors CenterAll Day: Snow Sculptures
Downtown Traverse City
All Day: Sweetheart of a Sale
All Day: Ice Sculptures
10:30 am-11:30 am: Monster Dog Pull
11am-4pm: Snow Spa Tent
12 pm- 3 pm: Soup’r Bowl Tasting
12 pm- 2 pm: Juggler Tommy Tropic • Musical Entertainment
12 pm- 3 pm: Horse & Carriage Rides
12 pm – 3 pm: Ice Sculpture Demo
2 pm – 3 pm: Frozen Pit Spit Contest
3 pm – 4 pm: Brain Freeze Contest
4 pm – 5 pm: Frozen Bed Race
5 pm – 9 pm: Beer/food tent
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Musical entertainment 6 pm – 9 pm: Laser Light Show (20 minute shows each hour)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
9am: Frosty 5K Foot Race
10am: Dog Sled Demonstrations
10am-5pm: “Winter Fun Zone” (skating, bonfires, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow climb) • Ice Sculpture Park • Outdoor Winter Carnival Rides • Kid’s Petting Zoo
10am-5pm: Winter Shopping Tour at Gallery of Shops
11am: Ice Sculpture Demonstration
11am-1pm: Pony Rides
11am-5pm: Snowmobile Rides
11:30am: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #1 of 3
11:30am-12pm: Family Comedy Juggling Show
12pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #1 of 3
12pm: Dog Sled Demonstrations
12-4pm: Winter spa tour featuring FREE paraffin dip & hand massage
1pm-2pm: Strolling Balloon Twisting
1-5pm: Sleigh Rides • Dog Sled Rides
3pm-8pm: Traverse City Wine & Art Festival — $20 single ticket / $35 couples ticket; includes 5 wine tickets + 5 dessert tickets, local art, fireworks show and more. Must be 21+ yrs.
2pm: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #2 of 3
2-2:30pm: Family Comedy Juggling Show
2:30pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #2 of 3
3pm: Cherry Pie Eating Contest
3pm: Ice Sculpture Demonstrations
3pm-5pm: Pony Rides
3:30pm: Kid’s Snowshoe Race – #3 of 3
4pm: Kid’s Frozen Fish Toss – #3 of 3
4pm-5pm: Strolling Balloon Twisting
5pm: -All Outdoor Activities Closed- (except below) 7pm: Outdoor Fireworks Show – Parking available at Resort Food and drinks will be served before and during the fireworks at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge (16 th Floor of Tower) and at The Grille (inside The Clubhouse)
Traverse City Visitor CenterAll Day: Snow Sculptures
Grand Traverse County Civic Center
9 am: Second Day Start of the Snowball Softball Tournament1pm: “Big Air” Championships at the Terrain Park
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Mt. Holiday Ski Area
All Day: Presidents Day Outdoor Celebration
11 am: Presidential Look-Alike Contest and Parade 12 noon: Presidential Luncheon
Downtown Traverse CityAll Day: Ice Sculptures