The 57th Annual Lake George Winter Carnival kicked off Saturday, Feb. 3, with opening ceremonies, outhouse races and steaming chafing pans of spicy chili. It has been three years since the ice on Lake George has frozen strong enough to support on-ice races and, for most of the month, the ice remained solid allowing most events to proceed as scheduled. The fickle weather did cause some cancellations when rising temperatures and rain created slushy, unsafe conditions at times, but overall, Lake George Winter Carnival 2018 carried on in the tradition of good old-fashioned winter fun.
The Lake George Winter Carnival’s signature event, the outhouse race, was held on the lake following opening ceremonies. This year the field was small with only four privies entered. Past years have seen more than a dozen teams competing. The 2018 champion was Adirondack Studios TNT. According to race organizer Linda Duffy, this is the seventh consecutive year that Adirondack Studios took first place.
The Winter Carnival Cook-offs have almost become an event in themselves. Each Saturday in February, a long line forms through Shepard Park as Festival attendees wait to sample the best local restaurants have to offer at the chili, barbecue, chowder and chicken wing cook-offs. After sampling entries, tasters cast a vote for their favorite.
There are plenty of talented dogs in Lake George, and at 2 p.m. each day of the Winter Carnival they get a chance to show their stuff. The Lake George Dogs Got Talent show is sponsored by The Dog Cabin. Judges selected from the crowd assign points to the performances of each entered pup. Dogs would roll over, shake hands, sing and just look cute for a chance to win a prize from The Dog Cabin.
Artistry is on display in Shepard Park throughout the Carnival. An intricate ice beach served as a popular spot for photos and a chainsaw artist worked through the weekends turning tree trunks into bears and lions.
Each Saturday of the Winter Carnival closed with a bonfire, s’mores and fireworks.
Cars, trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles and pedestrians took to the lake each weekend. Organizers plowed a path across the lake from Shepard Park to the East Side. Another path followed the lake north to Hearthstone Point Campground.
There was plenty of activity on Canada Street throughout the month. Shops, restaurants and bars were crowded each weekend. Shelby Burkhartz of the Adirondack Winery says their tasting room was bustling, particularly on the colder days as Carnival goers sought to warm up with indoor activities.
Great month of activities. Cheers to the entire Winter Carnival Volunteer committee and all those who helped make Lake George Winter Carnival the place to be throughout the month of February. Great coverage by the Examiner!!!
Great photographic roundup! Some really nice pictures. Lake George Village certainly knows how to have fun.