Scenes from the 2013 Lake George Winter Carnival opening day

Children play on a giant snow slide built on Shepard Park Beach. The Village of Lake George Street Department trucked in snow from Village parking lots to create the slick ride. Other activities for children included pony rides in the upper portion of the park, Zumba, face painting and arts and crafts at King Neptune’s Pub.Twelve local eateries entered kettles of chili in the opening day chili cook-off. Carnival attendees stood in line to taste samples and cast votes for their favorite version of this spicy dish. Mario’s Restaurant garnered the most votes. The chefs at Fort William Henry Resort took second place and the Forum Café came in third.Since 1983, the Lake George Winter Carnival outhouse races have brought some hilarity to the ice. Five-person teams – two to push, two to pull, and one to sit on the pot – race their uniquely designed outhouses along an ice-slicked track. This year’s race saw 14 teams competing along a track built in the Beach Road parking lot.The event is usually held on the lake, but a 50-degree day earlier in the week moved the race to surer ground. Adirondack Studio’s retained their championship title from last year with their TNT team. The Hague Motel, pictured here, took second place and Hillbilly Drop Spot came in third.View more photos of the Lake George Winter Carnival 2013 outhouse races at the Lake George Examiner on Facebook.View the list »
Lake George American Legion Post 374 Color Guard stands at attention during the singing of the National Anthem at the Lake George Winter Carnival opening ceremonies. Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson, Village of Lake George Trustee John Root, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Consuelo and Carnival Co-Vice Chair Michael Chimiak all spoke at the opening. Chimiak presented representatives of local food pantries with donations raised by the Winter Carnival Committee at the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge.

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The 52nd annual Lake George Winter Carnival drew several hundred to the lakeshore yesterday, February 2, for opening ceremonies and a full schedule of events. Although Punxsutawney Phil had prognosticated an early spring, temperatures in Lake George, which barely broke 20 degrees, and swirling snow flurries spoke differently, bringing true Adirondack winter weather to this festival that embraces the ice, snow and cold.

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Opening ceremonies, which were held at Winter Carnival Headquarters in Shepard Park at noon, brought out local dignitaries to comment on the importance of the winter celebration to the area. Businesses in this community that thrive primarily on summer tourism opened their doors to welcome winter visitors as a steady stream of foot traffic filled the snowy sidewalks.

Carnival events, both indoors and out, were held at venues throughout the village. Many took to the lake, supported by a solid five inches of ice, for skating, fishing and playing in the snow.

The Winter Carnival continues each weekend through February.

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  • Lake George American Legion Post 374 Color Guard stands at attention during the singing of the National Anthem at the Lake George Winter Carnival opening ceremonies. Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson, Village of Lake George Trustee John Root, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Consuelo and Carnival Co-Vice Chair Michael Chimiak all spoke at the opening. Chimiak presented representatives of local food pantries with donations raised by the Winter Carnival Committee at the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge.
  • Since 1983, the Lake George Winter Carnival outhouse races have brought some hilarity to the ice. Five-person teams – two to push, two to pull, and one to sit on the pot – race their uniquely designed outhouses along an ice-slicked track. This year’s race saw 14 teams competing along a track built in the Beach Road parking lot.The event is usually held on the lake, but a 50-degree day earlier in the week moved the race to surer ground. Adirondack Studio’s retained their championship title from last year with their TNT team. The Hague Motel, pictured here, took second place and Hillbilly Drop Spot came in third.View more photos of the Lake George Winter Carnival 2013 outhouse races at the Lake George Examiner on Facebook.
  • Twelve local eateries entered kettles of chili in the opening day chili cook-off. Carnival attendees stood in line to taste samples and cast votes for their favorite version of this spicy dish. Mario’s Restaurant garnered the most votes. The chefs at Fort William Henry Resort took second place and the Forum Café came in third.
  • Children play on a giant snow slide built on Shepard Park Beach. The Village of Lake George Street Department trucked in snow from Village parking lots to create the slick ride. Other activities for children included pony rides in the upper portion of the park, Zumba, face painting and arts and crafts at King Neptune’s Pub.
  • The day before opening ceremonies, Village employees measured five inches of ice on the Lake at Shepard Park. Carnival goers took advantage of the open space to run, skate and just roll around in the snow. Several groups of ice anglers set up their stools and tip-ups, fishing for a fresh catch. In past years the Carnival included a polar plunge each weekend, but this winter there will be no swimming at Shepard Park. An Asian clam eradication project requires heavy mats on the lakebed remain undisturbed until spring.
  • The Lake George Winter Carnival Parade Kicked-off at 4 p.m. from the south end of the Village and proceeded through a snow squall up Canada Street to Shepard Park. Led by the Carnival mascot, an ever-cheerful snowman, the parade included several floats, a group of Zumba dancers, and a group of Oriental Shriners blasting polka music and weaving through the parade in go-karts.
  • Following the parade, Carnival attendees gathered on the beach to warm up by a bonfire. The Carnival Committee laid out trays of  marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars for making s’mores free of charge. Hotdogs, pizza, sausage and pepper sandwiches and hot beverages were sold at the Carnival concession stand for anyone seeking a fireside dinner on the snow covered beach.
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, Lake George Examiner

Gillian Burdett lives in New York's Lake George region. As the Lake Geoge Examiner, she writes about events and attractions in the area for both local residents and visitors. Feel free to contact her with any questions or comments. She loves tourists and is happy to provide information whenever...

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