Northern Shores Vacation Rentals

This is the weekend Kalkaska goes to the dogs. "They're tremendous athletes," said Jim Collins, one of the organizers of the Kalkaska Winterfest, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The centerpiece event of the festival is the Midwest International Dog Sled Race:

Kalkaska Winterfest

Most events are held at the Kalkaska Civic Center, 1900 Fairground Road.

-- Dog sled rides, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; $5

-- Weight pull, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with registration onsite. Classes range from "dogs the size of a beagle" up to mastiffs, according to Jim Collins, one of the organizers.

-- Silent auction and craft show, beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

-- Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

-- Ladies Auxiliary VFW Luncheon, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

-- Children's Craft Corner, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

-- Dog obedience demonstration, 1 p.m. Saturday

-- Ice Bowl disc golf tournament, Sunday

-- Video game tournament, Dragonfly Outpost, downtown Kalkaska, Saturday.

For more information, go to www.kalkaskawinterfest.com.