Craving a unique experience this February? Break the winter chill at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival on now through February 14th!
History
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival began in 1897, when Saranac Lake was earning its reputation as a site of healing and rejuvenation. Because of its natural beauty, with plentiful mountains and lakes, Saranac Lake provided a sanctuary for those in poor health. The Pontiac Club of Saranac Lake founded the Carnival to promote outdoor sports and games. Since 1897, the Carnival has developed into a 10-day festival. It’s the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern U.S.
Events
This year, the Carnival will be comprised of three socially-distant events. The Carnival organisers wanted to produce an experience that: “1 – Is first and foremost safe for all, 2 – Speaks to its years of heritage & history, 3 – Adds to the quality of life of the village as a community, & 4 – Breathes new hope and promotes happiness & well-being to its residents.”
There will be opening and closing fireworks set to music, which you can take in from the safety of your car. And it wouldn’t be the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival without the ice palace! This year, the illuminated fortress won’t feature the usual maze but will be available for outside or drive-by viewing.
This Year’s Theme
Another long-running tradition at the Carnival is the collectable Winter Carnival button. Since 1981, the Carnival has been lucky to have Garry Trudeau, “Doonesbury” comic creator and Saranac Lake native, design the buttons and posters. The theme of the 2021 Carnival is “Mask-erade” — a nod to the past year’s ubiquitous face coverings.
We’d love to host you at GO-Cottage for the 2021 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival – so book now!
