Buttons and Posters
2026 Posters and Buttons are Available!
Sales from buttons and posters designed by Garry Trudeau support the Winter Carnival.
Good news, everyone! The posters and buttons for the 2026 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, themed "Cartoonival" this year, have hit stores. They are illustrated by Saranac Lake native and nationally syndicated "Doonesbury" cartoonist Garry Trudeau.
Both the button and poster depict "Doonesbury" character Zonker illustrating himself into a cartoon illustrating himself into a cartoon in a loop.
In an interview, Trudeau said he was concerned at first when he heard about the cartoon theme. Initially, he felt the concept called for a "cavalcade" of well-known - but copyright-protected - cartoon characters. Then, when he was assured that it would be acceptable to simply use his own characters, he realized the design would be quite self-referential.
Once he accepted that he'd be commenting on himself through the design, Trudeau said Maurits Escher's famous lithograph of two hands drawing each other immediately came to mind.
"Especially since the circular design lent itself to a button," he said.
This design also resembles the ouroboros - an ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail - making this a Doonesbouroboros.
On the poster, the cyclical Zonker is encircled by concentric rings of color - a nod to the Looney Tunes episode title cards. Trudeau said this made the poster more vibrant, and also placed his character in the larger cartoon universe.
Buttons by Gary Trudeau
Based on Doonesbury Character
“Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau has released his button design for the 2026 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Trudeau, who was raised in Saranac Lake, has created the Winter Carnival button design since 1981 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
Where Can I Buy Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Buttons?
At the Carnival
Buttons will also be sold during Winter Carnival at its gift shop and history hut located on River St at the boat launch.
Through the Mail
They are also available through mail order by sending a check payable to:
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee,
Attention: Barb Martin,
P.O. Box 566,
Saranac Lake, New York 12983.
There is an additional cost for shipping based on quantity of buttons ordered: 1-4 - $7.50, 5-8 - $8.00, 9 or more - $9.00 (prices subject to change
Past Winter Carnival buttons are also available for $5. For more information contact Barb Martin at (518) 891-2382 (Landline, no Text please)
The button costs $5 and will be available at the following merchants in Saranac Lake.
The buttons cost $5 and are available for sale at the following merchants in Saranac Lake: Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Adirondack Bank (Main St. and Church St.), Ampersound, Best Western, Blue Moon Cafe, Coakley Home and Hardware, Community Bank (Broadway), Fusion Market, Grand Union, Hamlets to Huts, Historic Saranac Lake, Hyde Mobil (Broadway and Lake Flower Avenue), Kinney Drugs, NBT Bank, Hotel Saranac's Academy and Main Gift Shop, Rice Furniture, the Saranac Lake Adult Center, The Village Mercantile, VOCO Saranac Lake Waterfront, Will Roger's, Adirondack Wine and Liquor, the Belvedere, Elevate ADK, Hair of the Dog, Grizle T's, Moose Lodge, Romano's, Rusty Nail and the Waterhole. The list is subject to change.
Buttons will also be sold during Winter Carnival at its Gift Shop and History Hut located on River Street at the boat launch.
- Adirondack Daily Enterprise
- (in process)
- NBT Bank
- (in process)
Winter Carnival Posters
Garry Trudeau has designed the Winter Carnival posters since 2012.
“Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau has released his poster design for the 2026 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Using the Winter Carnival’s designated theme “Cartoonival” Trudeau’s illustration shows Doonesbury characters......
The posters, much like the buttons, raise money for the following year’s Winter Carnival.
Trudeau has signed 100 posters this year, which will cost $75 each, including tax. There is an additional cost for shipping if local pick-up is not possible.
Signed posters are available to purchase by contacting Jeff Dickson via email at wcpostersales@gmail.com or by phone or text at 518-524-2731. Those who have purchased signed posters last year should contact Dickson to continue the numbered series. Unclaimed numbered posters will be made available to the public on a first come/first served basis. Those interested in joining the waiting list can contact Dickson.
A raffle will be held for signed poster number one. Sales are limited to 100 raffle tickets at a cost of $5 each. Tickets are available from Dickson now through the end of Carnival on Feb. 15th, at which point the winning ticket will be drawn and the winner notified.
Unsigned posters are for sale for $20 at Ampersound, Academy and Main gift shop, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Rice Furniture. Payment is by cash only. Unsigned posters can also be purchased during carnival at the Winter Carnival History Hut located near the Ice Palace.
The cost for an unsigned poster is $20 including tax. In addition to current year posters, some prior year unsigned posters are still available for $10. Posters for years 2012 and 2017 are completely sold out. To purchase a poster by mail, contact Dickson. There is an additional cost for shipping
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, currently known as the Society for Preservation of Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, Inc., is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers dedicated to planning and presenting an annual mid-winter festival. This 10-day, communitywide event traces its roots to a one-day Winter 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. The 2026 Winter Carnival will take place February 6, 2026- February 15, 2026.