The skim of ice covering Lake George this February can only support a few ducks, but that didn’t deter crowds seeking outdoor fun yesterday as the 56th annual Lake George Winter Carnival got underway. During opening ceremonies at Shepard Park Beach, Village Mayor Robert Blais commented that before the Carnival was launched in 1961, “There wouldn’t be a sole down here at the lake. We’d look across the frozen ice, and there wouldn’t be a sole out there except maybe some fishermen. These volunteers have changed all that.”
While the preferred location for Winter Carnival events is on a frozen-solid lake, The Winter Carnival Committee is adept at last minute changes to keep activities going during warmer weather. A spate of mild days in January dashed hopes of on-ice activities for opening day. However, temperatures in the region have dropped, and the Mayor made a bold claim: “Please come back two weeks from now, we promise you the ice will be thick enough. There will be some races going on out there.”
The Lake George Winter Carnival’s signature event, the outhouse races, was moved to the snow-covered fields of Battlefield Park. Teams of five pushed and pulled skid-fitted privies over a slicked track. This year’s race had nearly a dozen entries with Adirondack Studios’ TNT outhouse team defending its title from last winter as the champion. Sans Succi, pulled by a team wearing pink tutus, took second place, and Throne Mod, a new team this year, came in third with a futuristic- style, minimalist outhouse.
As the outhouses raced, the chili cook-off got underway at the Shepard Park. Carnival attendees formed a long line at the park amphitheater to taste samples provided by area eateries. This year, the cook-off featured a chili bar with toppings such as sour cream and tortilla chips. Adirondack Pub & Brewery garnered the most votes for favorite chili, with The Garrison taking second place and The Olde Log Inn coming in at third. Next weekend’s cook-off will feature the best barbecue from local restaurants.
Throughout the day, children’s arts and crafts, face painting and Zumba were offered at King Neptune’s Pub. The Courtyard Marriot Hotel on Canada Street also offered arts and crafts for children in their lobby. Horse-drawn carriage rides took off from the Beach Road parking lot and pony rides circled Shepard Park. The Dog Cabin held the Lake George Dogs Got Talent show where local canines showed off skills such as sitting on command or being cute. A handful of swimmers ran into the lake for a quick, icy plunge.
The Winter Carnival Parade stepped off shortly after 4 p.m. and traveled up Canada Street to Shepard Park where a bonfire threw heat across the beach. People roasted marshmallows for s’mores and topped mugs of hot chocolate with syrups, flavored chips and whipped cream at the hot chocolate bar. Fireworks capped the Saturday events, and the winter celebrations moved indoors as taverns along the lake hosted live music into the early hours of the morning.
The Lake George Winter Carnival is held each weekend throughout February. For updates on Carnival events, visit the Lake George Winter Carnival Facebook page.
The team who took 3rd is named Throne Mod, because they built the pro-Mod of outhouse racers. (This is a reference to drag racing.. lol)