The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

‘Memories’ book presales to benefit the new Winter Carnival website

the_real_andy — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:44:08 +0000

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee this week launched a fundraiser to help benefit the development of a new website. Committee members will be selling copies of Andy Flynn’s new book, “Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Memories,” which will be released in July 2013.

Now is the best time to order a copy – 50% of presales will benefit the Committee’s new website. Presales are being taken until the book release party in July (date TBA). The cost is $24.95. Shipping is $5 per book.

This 440-page book answers the question, “What is the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival?” Flynn uses the 2012 and 2013 Winter Carnivals as examples of how this 10-day festival is operated. The 10 chapters are: The Theme; Carnival Committee; Ice Palace; Royalty; Gala Parade; Other Events; Community Life; Some History; Mementos; and The Future. “Memories” includes 75 interviews, more than 350 photos, essays by Andy Flynn, a timeline of Winter Carnival events since 1897, and submissions by local historians.

Order copies for local pickup (Saranac Lake area) from Winter Carnival Committee members or Andy Flynn at (518) 891-5559. Order copies that need to be shipped at the Hungry Bear Publishing website.

Winter Carnival Committee chooses ‘Celtic Carnival’ for 2014 theme

the_real_andy — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:22:09 +0000

Members of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee April 17 picked “Celtic Carnival” as a theme for the 2014 Carnival.

The theme was chosen from a slate of the top five ideas generated at the Committee’s March meeting: Adirondack Fiesta, Age of Aquarius (the 1960s), Ancient Egypt, Celtic Carnival and Wizards & Dragons in the Mountains.

“We asked the community which of the ideas they would like to see, and there was a clear favorite,” said Eric Foster, Winter Carnival Committee Chairman. “We are pleased to announce Celtic Carnival as the theme for next year and are looking forward to an exciting and fun celebration.”

When paring down the theme ideas, 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. As always, the Committee thanks the Enterprise for its assistance in choosing a theme.

The Enterprise poll results were: Celtic Carnival, 32 percent; Adirondack Fiesta, 21 percent; Wizards & Dragons in the Mountains, 19 percent; Age of Aquarius, 15 percent; and Ancient Egypt, 11 percent.

The word “Celtic” refers to the Six Celtic Nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany. This is the second international-based theme in the history of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. In 1994, the theme was “Sister City Celebration,” referring to Saranac Lake’s sister city of Entrains-sur-Nohain, France.

The 2014 Carnival will take place Friday, Jan. 31 to Sunday, Feb. 9.

Time to vote on Enterprise poll

the_real_andy — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:48:39 +0000

It’s time to vote on the Adirondack Daily Enterprise website poll for the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival theme.

The choices are: Adirondack Fiesta, Age of Aquarius (1960s), Ancient Egypt, Celtic Carnival and Wizards & Dragons in the Mountains. You can also check “undecided.”

Thanks to Managing Editor Peter Crowley and the rest of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise staff for their ongoing support of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival since 1898.

Public to vote on five 2014 theme ideas

the_real_andy — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:26:16 +0000

Community members will again have a chance to vote on the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival theme this year, as Winter Carnival Committee members Wednesday, March 20 chose five potential theme ideas for 2014.

Since the end of the 2013 Carnival, Committee members collected dozens of theme ideas, some that were resubmitted from past years and others that were collected fresh from the community this year. With each member casting three votes, five theme ideas rose to the top.

In alphabetical order, they are: Adirondack Fiesta, Age of Aquarius (1960s), Ancient Egypt, Celtic Carnival, and Wizards & Dragons in the Mountains.

Those interested in voting for their favorite theme from this list can either contact a Committee member with their selection or submit a vote on the Winter Carnival Facebook page or through the contact section on the Carnival’s website: www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com.

It is also tradition in Saranac Lake for readers of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise to vote for their favorite theme in an online poll at www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com. It should be online in early April. The Winter Carnival Committee will use the poll results to make its final decision on the 2014 Winter Carnival theme. The dates of the poll have not yet been chosen. For now, Facebook users can vote on the Winter Carnival Facebook page.

“This year, the community suggested more than 50 theme ideas that came into the Committee through Facebook, emails and conversations,” said newly elected Committee Chairman Eric Foster. “The enthusiasm and imagination were terrific. It was a challenge to narrow the list down. We would like to get the community’s view on their favorite for 2014.”

The votes will be then tallied for the Committee’s April 17 meeting at the high school, where members will make a final decision. The 2014 Winter Carnival will take place Jan. 31 to Feb. 9.

Works begins on new Carnival website

the_real_andy — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:19:41 +0000

Dear Winter Carnival community:

Work has begun on developing a new Saranac Lake Winter Carnival website. It needs to be updated if we are to meet the ever-growing demands of the digital age.

But we need your help.

Since 1897, this volunteer-based event has grown into a world-class Winter Carnival, No. 2 in the world, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine. It’s time we had an exciting, world-class website to fit that description. After all, travelers are watching us through the lens of the Internet before they decide to visit.

Adapting our online presence to mobile devices is only one item on our wish list. We also hope to offer:

*a more user-friendly calendar of events;

*a webcam of the Ice Palace construction;

*online registration for events;

*maps with directions to all the Carnival events;

*online shopping for Winter Carnival buttons and other souvenirs;

*and live streaming of the fireworks and Gala Parade.

Nothing can compare with being at Winter Carnival, but if you can’t make it to Saranac Lake for our 10-day party in February, this will be the next best thing.

Our current website doesn’t have these capabilities, so it’s time to develop a new website to keep you connected to the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee will be holding fundraisers throughout the year, with the first one being planned for Daffest this spring in Riverside Park.

HOW TO HELP

If you love Winter Carnival as much as we do, please send a donation to:

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee

PO Box 829

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Please mark “website donation” on the memo line of your check.

Thanks for your help. We hope to launch the new website in time for the 2014 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Jan. 31 – Feb. 9.

Sincerely,

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee

Next meeting scheduled for March 20

the_real_andy — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:48:58 +0000

The next meeting of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 in the large group instruction room of the Saranac Lake High School. This meeting was originally scheduled for March 6 but was recently changed.

2013 Ice Palace is now a memory

the_real_andy — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:32:44 +0000

Ice Palace as seen around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

The lights have been removed from the Ice Palace, and it was knocked down earlier today.

The last vestiges of another Saranac Lake Winter Carnival are history.

Thanks to everyone who made it possible, everyone who participated in the various events and everyone who attended. Hope you all had a great time. Jan. 31, 2014 is not that far away.

Ice Palace closed to the public

the_real_andy — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:24:49 +0000

Village workers closed the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace Friday due to structural concerns. The area has been roped off, and there is no admittance. However, the lights will remain on at night until they are removed. Again, it’s important that people stay on the outside of the roped area at the Ice Palace due to safety concerns.

We will post updates on this website as they become available.

Thank you.

Ice Palace holding steady for now

the_real_andy — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:29:31 +0000

The Ice Palace was examined on Monday, Feb. 18 and remains structurally sound so we are optimistic that it will be open and lit through this coming weekend. If anything changes, we will post further information to the website as it becomes available.

Thanks for a wonderful Carnival!

the_real_andy — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:33:35 +0000

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee would like to thank all the people who made the 2013 “Under the Sea” event such a wonderful success, including the attendees, participants, sponsors, volunteers, venues, businesses, vendors, schools, chambers of commerce/visitors bureaus, government workers, police, media and community organizations.

Don’t forget that you can re-live the 2013 Winter Carnival on Thursday, Feb. 14 at Saranac Village at Will Rogers. Carnival photographer Mark Kurtz will present his slide show at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

In the meantime, the Winter Carnival Committee will update you on the theme-picking process for 2014 when it gets under way.