Glens Falls Chronicle Serving the Glens Falls/Lake George region; Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties since 1980
The Lake George Winter Carnival, celebrating its 60th anniversary, is back in full force after last year’s Covid pause.
It opens Saturday, Feb. 5, and runs every Saturday and Sunday throughout February.
“All the events are back, and we’re ready to rock and roll,” says co-organizer Lou Tokas.
Outhouse races, a parade and a Chili Cook-Off are among this Saturday’s featured events.
Details below.
Glens Falls brings back its Fire & Ice Winter Celebration at Crandall Park ice skating pond every Friday night in February, after a year’s hiatus due to Covid. Skating, bonfires, hot chocolate, more.
Lake George’s 60th Winter Carnival opens
Chronicle Managing Editor Cathy DeDe writes: The Lake George Winter Carnival, celebrating its 60th anniversary and back in full force after last year’s Covid pause, opens Saturday and runs Saturdays and Sundays throughout February.
Co-chair Nancy Nichols said, “Last year was our physical 60th anniversary, but we’re celebrating this year” It started in 1961.
Mrs. Nichols said the pre-Carnival gala on Jan. 29, indoors and out at Lake George Beach Club, “sold out immediately,” with 150 socially distanced tickets.
Find best details and weather updates on the Lake George Winter Carnival Facebook page. Info: lakegeorgewintercarnival.com, or call 240-0809.
Saturday’s opening ceremonies start at noon in Shepard Park, with special guests Miss New York, Miss Vermont, and Miss Adirondack (meet and greet and photo ops at 11 a.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 5, features the annual Outhouse Races on the ice (start time: 12:30 p.m.).
The Chili Cook-off also begins at 12:30 (taste and vote for your favorite; $5 donation). New this year: They offered advance tickets for the hot chocolate and weekly restaurant Cook-Offs, available on the Facebook Page.
Advance chili tickets are already sold out, but they will also have walk-up tickets on the day of the Cook-Off, especially for those “not savvy to social media,” Mrs. Nichols said.
The Winter Carnival Parade kicks off at 4 p.m. on Beach Road, followed by free S’mores on Shepard Park Beach, a Hot Chocolate bar ($5 with souvenier mug), and fireworks over the lake at 7 pm.
On Sunday, Feb. 6: free Make Your Own Sundaes from Stewart’s Shops beginning at noon, and the “Super Bowl Sunday Warm-Up Keg Toss” at 2 p.m.
Events every Saturday and Sunday include: Bonfires on Shepard Park Beach; cornhole at Blue Thirty Two; pony rides, wood carving demos, face painting and other children’s activities (fees for some) in Shepard Park. Also, helicopter rides and horse-drawn carriage rides (fee); Dog’s Got Talent canine contest at 2 p.m., and a Polar Plunge into the icy waters of Lake George each day at 3 p.m.
Feb. 5-6: Non-Octane weekend
Feb. 12-13: ATV Poker Run & Car Races on the ice.
Feb. 19-20: Motorcycle & ATV Races
Feb. 26-27: Car Races & 4X4 Drags
The “Big Box” events are the sanctioned motorized on-ice sports, “drawing thousands of people to the county,” co-chair Lou Tokas said.
LG Ice Castles a big, cold hit!
Chronicle Managing Editor Cathy DeDe writes: Maybe you’ve noticed: The Ice Castles in Lake George are kind of a big deal.
If you haven’t gone yet yourself, you’ve likely seen the pictures seemingly everyone is posting on Social Media.
“Its safe to say, it’s going well,” says Warren County Tourism Director Joanne Conley, with no advance tickets even left. “Everything available online is sold out.”
However, Ms. Conley adds: Walk-up tickets have been steadily available, too, as people flow through and leave the attraction — especially on colder days, when they tend not to linger, she said.
Tickets are sold in half-hour time blocks. You can enter at any time during your block, and stay as long as you want.
A new feature, a giant slide, is set to open soon, Ms. Conley said. When it does, they expect enough people will be clustered (safely) in line for the ride that they can increase the number of tickets available for each entry period. “So keep checking the website,” Ms. Conley urges.
Depending on the weather, the Ice Castles may also continue longer than the current dates in February.
Meanwhile, Ms. Conley says, interest in the Ice Castles remains high. “We are constantly answering questions. Us, the Chamber, the phones are ringing non-stop, we’re answering questions constantly on social media. It’s crazy.”
Info: icecastles.com/new-york
Outhouse races Saturday: ‘Big’
Chronicle Managing Editor Cathy DeDe writes: Organizer Joe Mondella, owner of The Lagoon Restaurant in Lake George, reported on Sunday that “about 10 or 12” groups had signed up for the Lake George Winter Carnival’s Outhouse Races, Saturday, Feb. 5, beginning at 12:30. Entries will be accepted up until race day. Cash prizes awarded. Info: 685-5009.
“We’re expecting about 15,” he says.
Only five teams competed in 2020, the last time the event took place.
Mr. Mondella said he hopes to expand it in the future. “I’d like to have age brackets and divisions for kids, adults, businesses. It’s a lot of laughs, and it’s a spectacle out there.”
His own Lagoon restaurant participates. “We’ve won the trophy a few times,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun. We’re trying to bring in a crowd for Warren County. Some groups take it really seriously. We just love the laughs.”
Mr. Mondella’s suggested strategy: “Everybody, get a good night’s sleep. Make sure we have proper footwear because it’s very slippery out there. Try to have a very light person sitting in the Outhouse. Stay as close to the weight minimum as we can so you don’t need a lot of strength to push and pull.”
Outhouse specs: Must be at least 6 feet tall, 4 by 4 feet wide, with push bars extending no more than 1 foot on either side, built from solid materials such as wood, aluminum, fiberglass, steel or plexiglass. No Styrofoam or cardboard. No doors or windows, just cutouts. Must race upright. Combined weight of rider and outhouse must be at least 250 pounds.
Team must include one rider, two pushers and two pullers. Spectators, of course, are encouraged.
In GF: Fire & Ice Fest, Fridays in February
Glens Falls brings back its Fire & Ice Winter Celebration at the Crandall Park ice skating pond on Friday nights in February, after a year’s hiatus due to Covid.
It runs 6 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Feb. 4-25.
The ice will be lighted for skating, with six bonfires around the pond.
It’s all free. DJ Peter Wilhelm will play music for skating and dancing. Hot chocolate will be served. Bring your own mugs, ice skates and chairs, they say.
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