Winter Carnival Accepting Parade Applications
Applications for parade performers participating during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival are now available online at www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com. Applications can also be picked up at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 39 Main Street.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival will take place on January 31- February 9,2025 featuring a “Music Legends” theme. The Gala Parade will take place on Saturday, February 8 th and there will be trophies awarded for 1 st and 2 nd places floats and walking units in six different categories (Business, Civic or Volunteer Group, Youth Group, School Group, Independent Group, and 1 trophy for the Animal Group) as well as the Louis Fobare Trophy for Best in Parade. Parade participants are encouraged to start their planning now.
Entries are rated on the following: theme (matches “Music Legends” theme), sound system, live music, choreography, costumes, float decoration, creativity and unusual item.
A new trophy will be awarded in this year's Gala Parade. The Rich Merritt Gimp Trophy will be presented to the parade entry that best exemplifies celebrating life and bringing joy, cheer and sunshine to those who maybe cannot see it. That doesn't always mean adhering to a theme but it does mean embracing the idea of fun and infectious energy even if it seems silly or bizarre. The trophy will be chosen by Rich Merritt’s friends and family and will be awarded at the band concert immediately following the parade.
Completed parade applications should be e-mailed to: Parade.slwintercarnival@gmail.com or dropped off at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce or mailed to the Winter Carnival Committee at P.O. Box 829, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, no later than February 4th.
“We encourage people to attend the post parade band concert in the Harrietstown Town Hall for an energetic and fun show with the bands from the parade. All trophies will also be awarded at this time “said Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Chairman Jeff Branch.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, formally known as the Society for the Preservation of Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 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. For more information, visit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival website at www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com.