LAVA HOT SPRINGS — Don’t miss what “USA Today” called one of the “10 Zaniest Winter Festivals in the World”: the Fire and Ice Winterfest in Lava Hot Springs from Feb. 2 to 4.

Pre-register for the events on by Jan. 31 and save $10. For $50, you get admission to the wine tasting, comedy night, casino night and Running of the Bulls events and free admission to the chili tasting as well as a free penguin to drop in the river for the prize race — plus we’ll set you up with double the chances of winning prizes at Casino Night.

The festivities start Friday at noon with kids amazing races at the tennis courts/city park. Kids will pair up to compete in three relay races for a chance to win cash prizes. Following the relay races there will be open sledding from 2 to 4 p.m.

Enjoy wine-tasting at 4 p.m., sampling Northwest wines and appetizers at the Riverside Inn, 255 E. Portneuf. Included in the price is a commemorative wine glass to take home. Pre-register online at www.fireice.lavahotsprings.org.

Friday evening there will be bingo and comedy night. The Lava Lions will host bingo at 6 p.m. at the Lava Community Building, 150 N. Center. Then, at 9 p.m., tickle your funny bone with Quick Wits, an improvisational comedy troupe that takes audience suggestions to create comedy sketches on the spot. The Wits will battle against each other in teams of three for points (and laughs) from the audience. Buy tickets online or at the door.

Saturday morning begins with the children’s Water Carnival held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free for kids and $2 for adults. There will be games, prizes and water fun. Events will be oriented toward a 12-and-under crowd, but all ages are welcome. Events include floating relays, wall climb races, diving contests and a splash event.

Saturday continues with the Polar Float Parade for those who dare to jump into the bone-chilling Portneuf River on a float tube dressed in your craziest costume. Participants will get the chance to win prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the best group costume (four or more people) and best individual costume. The $10 registration cost at Mountain Mayhem, 156 E. Main, includes tube rental. Be sure to register, sign a waiver and pick up your tube as early as 1:30 so you can be at the starting point by 2 p.m.

After the icy Polar Float Parade, bring your taste buds to the Lava Community Building, 150 N. Center, for some chili tasting. For those entering chili, there will be a chance to earn cash prizes. Please let us know if you plan on bringing a pot of chili by Jan. 29. For more information or to register your pot of chili, call Sophia at 208-417-9119 or Britney at 208-251-5367. Contestants should have 5 quarts of chili to the Lava Community Building by 2 p.m. Taste sampling begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m., or when the chili runs out. Cost for samplers is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 11 and under. Then enjoy another round of bingo hosted by the Lava Lions on Saturday night at 6 p.m.

At dusk on Saturday evening, weather permitting, there will be fire in the sky — watch the torchlight parade as local daredevils ski down the “L” mountains with lit torches. Afterwards, fire performers from Lava Flow Fire will entertain you through dance, acrobatics and music as they manipulate flaming objects. The show will be performed outside in the open are across from the Chuckwagon Restaurant and Aura Soma Lava. Then it’s back to the Lava Community Building, 150 N. Center, at 8 p.m. for a casino night, Vegas style. All ages are invited. $15 at the door buys your set and puts your name in the drawing for some fantastic raffle prizes. For more information, call Mark at 208-776-5221.

Finally, who will be the first King and Queen of Fire and Ice? You have two chances to be crowned. First crowning is at 10 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel and the second is at 12 a.m. at the Blue Moon Bar and Grill.

Sunday morning, the American Legion breakfast crew will be cooking their famous breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., cost $5. Penguins will be released Sunday at 10 a.m. for the Great Rubber Penguin Race on the Portneuf River. Penguins can be purchased at the different events, from the Merchant Hut, from Walking Penguins around Lava Hot Springs or online at www.fireice.lavahotsprings.org.

The festival concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. with The Running of the Bulls. Register for Running of the Bulls at the Lava Community Center Sunday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. for $5. Run down Main Street in just a swimsuit and flip flops. The starting line is at the Sliver Grill for adults or the Chuck Wagon Restaurant for the younger racers. The finish line is at Lava’s World Famous Hot Pools, where participants receive free admission.

For detailed information on events and to pre-register visit www.fireice.lavahotsprings.org or email lavaspecialevents@gmail.com.