SARANAC LAKE – Members of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee April 25 picked “Under the Sea” as a theme for the 2013 Carnival.

The theme was chosen from a slate of the top five ideas generated at the Committee’s March meeting: Age of Aquarius (1960s), Celtic Carnival, Fiesta, Under the Big Top and Under the Sea.

“This was a difficult decision; all the themes had great merits,” said Winter Carnival Chairman Jeff Dickson. “But I think the entire community will be able to have a lot of fun with ‘Under the Sea’ as they did with this year’s theme of ‘Space Alien Invasion.’”

When making their decision, Committee members weighed a number of factors, including whether a theme could fit well in the parade and the construction of the Ice Palace and generate suitable music for the slide show and the myriad of festivities during the 10-day-long event. They also took into consideration several polls taken throughout the community, such as the online poll sponsored by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

“We appreciate the community’s input and the ongoing support of our local newspaper, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, in helping us choose a fun and exciting theme for the 2013 Winter Carnival,” Dickson said.

The poll results were: Celtic Carnival, 33 percent; Age of Aquarius (1960s), 26 percent; Under the Sea, 14 percent; Under the Big Top, 13 percent; and Fiesta, 12 percent. Other informal polls – at the Committee’s volunteer recognition dinner, among the Ice Palace workers, and with students at St. Bernard’s Elementary School – showed more support for Under the Sea and Fiesta.

“We use all these polls as tools to help us make a decision,” Dickson said. “Unfortunately, we can only pick one a year, but we are fortunate to have such strong ideas for future years.”

In the end, Committee members chose “Under the Sea,” the No. 3 pick in the Enterprise poll but the No. 1 pick at St. Bernard’s School.

“We think the kids will be happy,” Dickson said. “They swayed our vote with Space Alien Invasion this past year, and it was a lot of fun.”

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, Inc. is a not-for-profit group of volunteers dedicated to organizing an annual mid-winter festival during the first two weeks of February. This 10-day, communitywide event traces its roots to a one-day Carnival held in 1897 by the Pontiac Club. The Carnival honors its heritage every year by building an Ice Palace from blocks of ice harvested from Lake Flower’s Pontiac Bay, where Carnival events have been traditionally held for generations. For more information, visit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival web site at www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com. The 2013 Carnival will take place Feb. 2-11.

Thanks for participating in the 2012 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival! It was an awesome time!

Carnival is a memorable time for everyone and sometimes you’re not there to catch that perfect picture. Good news! You can look through an assortment of  many photos (past and present) of  Winter Carnival events from either Shutterfly.com where images are contributed by Mark Kurtz as well as BackPrint.com where images are contributed by Mike and Gayle Vancukynas and Faye and Pat Hendrick.

All proceeds go to The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

The winning raffle ticket for Winter Carnival Poster #1 signed by artist Garry Trudeau was drawn Tuesday night at the Grand Marshall Dinner. The winner is Barrett Quinn and we congratulate him. Tickets are still available at Winter Carnival Headquarters for signed Poster #100. The winner of Poster #100 will be drawn at the slide show on Sunday evening regardless of the number of tickets sold. Tickets are $5 each and a maximum of 100 will be sold. As of Wednesday at 10:00 am there were approximately 80 available.

Of the other 98 signed posters, one has been retained for our archives and the remaining 97 have been sold. We thank Mr. Trudeau for making this possible and everyone else for their incredible response to this fund-raising effort. Unsigned copies are available at Winter Carnival Headquarters, Ampersound, Bear Essentials and the Chamber of Commerce.

2011 Inside View of Castle. Purchase photos from our links below.

Carnival is a memorable time for everyone and sometimes you’re not there to catch that perfect picture. Good news! You can look through an assortment of  many photos (past and present) of  Winter Carnival events from either BackPrint.com or Shutterfly.com

All proceeds go to The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

The last finishing touches are being put on the ice palace, event planning is complete and the 10-day weather forecast is favorable for a great carnival. Enjoy!

Winter Carnival Announces the

Opening of the Winter Carnival Headquarters

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee would like to announce the opening of our Headquarters at the Adirondack Business Center (next to Lake View Deli & across from the Ice Palace) on Saturday, January 28^th 2012 at 2pm.  We will be open from 10-5 Sunday the 29^th through Friday, February10th and on Saturday February 11^th (parade day) from 8:30-12 noon.  We will have Carnival buttons, Winter Carnival Souvenirs, and lots of alien accessories.  We will also be selling raffle tickets for the #100 signed Gary Trudeau 2012 Carnival Poster.  The winner will be announced at the end of carnival.  In celebration of our 115^th year tradition we will have some great old photos of ice palaces and past carnival royalty.

The Headquarters will have schedules and a great group of volunteers to answer your carnival questions as well.  Please stop by for a visit and we look forward to seeing you!  We would also like to thank Clarkson University for their generous donation of their space.

Have a Happy Alien Invasion!

Rotary Club Variety Show tickets are now on sale. The show is on Feb, 10th at 7:30 at the Harrietstown Town Hall.  Tickets are $13.00 if purchased prior to the show or $20.00 at the door (if tickets are still available). If you would like to purchase tickets prior they are being sold until February 7th at the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Ampersound, Blueline, Chamber Of Commerce, Coakleys, Community Bank, Community Store, Echo Living, Eye Care For The Adirondacks, NBT Bank and Post Office Pharmacy. Starting  February 8th tickets will only be available at the Chamber of Commerce.   If you need tickets mailed to you, please email Bill Licata at bill50@roadrunner.com Its been recommended to buy early because tickets go fast.

Arts Council concert (Sat, Feb 4)

Arts Council Concert Sat, Feb 4 at The Harrietstown Town Hall.Showtime is at 7:30.Admission is $8, $4 for seniors and children under 5 are free. See the Schedule page for all events!

The signed Garry Trudeau posters are completely sold out.  We do have lots of unsigned ones available still as well as raffle tickets available ($5 each, maximum of 100 to be sold) for signed Poster #1 of 100. Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling 518-891-4344, 518- 524-2731 or by e-mail casjdcksn@aol.com.There are also calendars and buttons available that can be purchased at various merchants in Saranac Lake as well as being mail-ordered. The calendar features the Mark Kurtz photo selected as National Geographic’s Photo-of-the-Day for September 20, 2011.  The National Geographic link contains additional information concerning the conditions at the time the photo was taken and the techniques that Mark used to do so.  See posts below for Calendar or Button  purchasing information.

Its time for nominees for the King and Queen of the 2012 Winter Carnival!

Click here for the instructions on how to nominate someone!

The 2012 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival buttons are now available. They feature “Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau’s illustration of Sir Zonker, made special for this year’s theme, “Space Alien Invasion.”

The buttons are $3.00  a piece and as of Dec. 20th, the buttons have been distributed to the list below.  Mail orders have been discontinued. Please check back after carnival for mailing updtes.

Ace hardware, Adirondack Bank Main St., Adirondack bank Branch, Adult center, ADK Daily Enterprise, ADK Wine and Liquor, Amanda’s village Motel, Ampersound,  Bear Essentials, Belvedere, Blooming Market, Blue Line Sports Shop, Blue Moon Café, Captain Cooks, Chamber of Commerce,  Community Bank Main St., Community Bank Branch, Eco Living, Fusion Market, Goody-Goody’s, HSBC Bank, Hyde’s Mobile Nice and Easy,  Hyde’s Mobile Broadway, Kinney Drug Store, K&E Enterprise, Lake View Deli, Maurice’s,  McKenzie’s Restaurant, NBT bank, Norman’s Store, Post Office Pharmacy and Rice Furniture, Saranac Lake Discount Liquor, Vets Club,  Waterhole, Will Rogers.

2012 Calendar Front

2012 Calendar Back

Just in time for the Holidays!

 The 2012 Calendars (2nd Edition) are now on sale. The Calendar includes “Ice Palaces Of Our Past” and are available at SL Chamber of Commerce, Community Store, Rice Furniture and Little City Hair Cutters. The calendar features the Mark Kurtz photo selected as National Geographic’s Photo-of-the-Day for September 20, 2011.  The National Geographic link contains additional information concerning the conditions at the time the photo was taken and the techniques that Mark used to do so. Shipping is also available! Costs are as follows: $13 per calendar + $3.50 S&H $25 for 2 calendars + $5 S+H Please mail a check to: Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee P.O. Box 829 Saranac Lake, NY 12983 or email SLWinterCarn@aol.com

Purchase a 2012 Winter Carnival Poster created and autographed by Garry Trudeau (Illustrator of the Winter Carnival Buttons).  The posters are $50 + $5 shipping and handling. There is a limited amount and they can be reserved by calling 518-891-4344, 518- 524-2731 or by e-mail casjdcksn@aol.com.  The poster labled #1 by Garry will be raffled off. Unsigned posters will be available for $15 a piece at the Saranac Lake Chamber and additional locations will be anounced at a later date. 

 Winter Carnival is a well-known event throughout the United States. It attracts people from all 50 states as well as our Canadian neighbors. Supporting Winter Carnival is a great way to foster good will within the community while simultaneously reaching a large and diversified audience. If you would like to be a sponsor for the 2012 Winter Carnival please view the flyer and contact Jeff Dickson at 518-891-4344 or 518-524-2731.  Click here to access the Sponsor Flyer.

Feb. 15, 2011: Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Dickson accepts on behalf of the Winter Carnival Committee a proclamation from the Saranac Lake Village Board, presented by Mayor Clyde Rabideau.

Here are the latest Photos of the Day from the 2011 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Photos by Mark Kurtz Photography.

You can see the rest of the Photos of the Day for 2010 and 2011 here.

Click here to read about the history behind the famous Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace. This is a very interesting and well written document created by Caper Tissot called “Ice Palace History”.