The
Adirondacks is well known for its fall foliage, but winter in the Adirondacks
necessitates just as much enjoyment. From November, through early march, visitors
can celebrate the season with traditions that are fun for everyone and connect visitors to the rich history
of the park.
One of the
oldest events is the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. The event will be
celebrating its 116th anniversary this year. Beginning in the late
1800s, the Carnival became established during the time when Saranac Lake served
as a health resort for Tuberculosis patients. It started as a small, two-day
event offered to the patients as a way to break up and celebrate the long
winter by engaging in winter sports and recreation. The Carnival eventually
grew, becoming a two-week celebration filled with activities and events unique
to the region. These include the Women’s Fry Pan toss, musical and theatre
performances, a highly anticipated parade, and opening and closing firework
ceremonies. What most visitors anticipate the most, however, is the building of
the Ice Palace. This sculpture is built using two-ton blocks of ice, and is
formed into a maze of tunnels. The tradition began in 1898 and has become the
central focus of the entire event. The palace is designed by a group of volunteers
every year who meet to sketch out the palace design based on a selected theme.
The sketch is then converted into the blueprint for the actual structure and
built during the month of January and February.
Many Adirondack communities offer
celebrations similar to the Saranac Lake Carnival. During the month of
February, the Lake George Winter Carnival becomes a popular destination for
tourists and fellow Adirondackers alike. The event hosts many fun activities, including the Polar Bear Plunge, ice golfing, and ATV ice races.
Other winter celebrations in the
Adirondacks include the Long Lake Winter Carnival, Frozen Fire and Lights, and
WinterFest. Clearly Adirondack communities have taken advantage of the season
and made the cold, long winter a little more enjoyable for all.
Sources:
Thanks for the post! Learning about the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival was super interesting, maybe we can have our own Fry Pan Toss on the last day of class!
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