OTISFIELD – Hope for snow.

That’s what everyone in Otisfield is doing in preparation for this weekend.

The second annual town winter carnival will run Friday through Sunday, and is spearheaded by the Otisfield firemen, said Noreen Edwards, who is on the committee to coordinate the event.

Last year, the event suffered because of the weather. It was rescheduled to the same weekend as Norway’s winter festival, so that took away some of the crowds.

“We don’t have the big prizes,” Edwards said.

The carnival kicks off Friday evening with a variety show at Otisfield Community School. Residents will sing, dance, play instruments and perform skits. The event it free to the public.

Saturday events start early and continue until late at night.

A kick-off breakfast will be held at the Otisfield Community School from 7 to 9 with pancakes, waffles, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. It costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for kids 3 to 10 and free for kids under 3, and proceeds will benefit the Otisfield Firefighters Association.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be an ice fishing derby on Pleasant Lake and Thompson Lake. No fishing license is required because it is a Maine free fishing day.

Participants may sign up at Spurrs Corner Fire Barn the day of, or preregister at the town office. It costs $10 per person.

Lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., both provided by and profiting the Otisfield 4-H Club.

From 9 a.m. there will be ice skating, sledding and snow sculptures with prizes at the town beach and town office.

Also from 11 to 1 there will be a snowmobile poker run, location to be announced, and pony rides at Seeds of Peace International Camp on Powhattan Road.

That evening, there will be a spaghetti dinner at the school, costing $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for kids 3 to 10 and free for kids under 3, proceeds going to the school.

From 7 to 11 there will be a Hawaiian beach party dance at the school. Fee is two cans of food.

On Sunday, the ice fishing derby will be held again, same details. From 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a Bingo game at the school, and a cross country ski and snowshoe poker run at Seeds of Peace camp, and ice skating at the town beach.

For more information, visit www.otisfieldme.gov.