Saranac Lake Community Events

Winter Carnival

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, first held in 1897, is the oldest winter festival in the eastern United States.

Website: http://www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com

2010: Adirondack Cowboys, February 5 - 14 (President’s Weekend)

2011: Theme to be announced, February 4 - 13

Winter Carnival Celebration:

Today’s Carnival - now 10 days long - still begins with the Coronation of the King and Queen. This honor is bestowed upon two local citizens, in recognition of their substantial volunteer efforts throughout the year.  Joining them are a Prince and Princess, chosen from the two local colleges, a Royal Court made up of local high school seniors, Pages chosen from the elementary schools, and an Archbishop and Chamberlain, who tend to such duties as proclamations and the crowning of the royal couple.

Each Carnival revolves around a theme, which provides a framework for the celebration including Carnival decorations, the Gala Parade and the Carnival button.  Themes of past Carnivals have included “Dreams”, “Cabin Fever” and “Hooray for Holidays.” Since 1981, the Carnival theme has been captured in a button sporting an exclusive design donated by Garry Trudeau, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of “Doonesbury”, and a native of Saranac Lake.  Over the years these buttons have become collectors’ items, symbolizing the spirit of the Winter Carnival.

Winter Carnival offers an abundance of sporting events for all ages, and are held throughout the area. Snowshoe and nordic ski races are held at the Dewey Mountain Cross-Country Ski Center. Mount Pisgah Ski Center hosts inner-tube and alpine ski races. Skating races, broomball and hockey games are played at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. Volleyball played in knee-deep snow, softball played on snowshoes, and a competitive display of traditional logging skills help fill out the list of activities.

The Carnival is host to two parades: The Gala Parade, held on the last Saturday of Carnival, sees the community engaged in an animated march through town, dressed in comical costumes, riding upon dozens of colorful floats, and accompanied by marching bands in a jubilant throwing-off of winter’s chill. When you see Sara the Snowy Owl marching along in the parade, be sure to ask about the legend of this Winter Carnival Mascot. The second parade is the colorful and enchanting Kiddie Parade held on the last Sunday of Carnival, when Saranac Lake’s children get their chance to strut their stuff marching down Main Street.

The Carnival celebration provides ample entertainment:  Dramatic presentations by the Pendragon Theatre, an old-time amateur revue in the historic Harrietstown Town Hall, a Main Street Festival, and a bevy of dinners, dances, receptions and concerts. The 10-day celebration opens and concludes with spectacular fireworks displays over the Ice Palace.  The final evening’s closing ceremonies at the Ice Palace includes a dramatic outdoor slide-show presentation, set to music, of the Carnival activities in review.