Saranac Lake Winter Carnival: Good times, great merch

Photo courtesy Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

While you're enjoying all the fun and games at Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival, do not leave town without picking up some authentic Carnival merchandise. And among the most collectible items are the official Saranac Lake Winter Carnival buttons and posters designed by Garry Trudeau, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist born and raised in Saranac Lake.

Using the Winter Carnival's designated theme, "Roman around Carnival," Trudeau's design shows the "Doonesbury" character Zonker as a Roman Emperor depicted on the shape of an ancient coin with the year 2023 displayed in roman numerals.

Trudeau, raised in Saranac Lake, has created the Winter Carnival button design since 1981 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

During Winter Carnival, visitors will have several opportunities to create their own winter carnival button at the Saranack Laboratory Museum, the former laboratory of Garry Trudeau’s great-grandfather, Dr. E.L. Trudeau. It was the first laboratory in the United States dedicated to the study of tuberculosis. He was a public health pioneer who helped establish disease prevention and control principles.

You will be able to buy your buttons and posters at many locations in town and at the Carnival gift shop and history hut located on River St at the boat launch. They are also available through mail order by sending a check payable to Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, Attention: Barb Martin, P.O. Box 566, Saranac Lake, New York 12983.

Day Five Schedule:

All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)

10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)

3:30 pm *Scavenger Hunt for Middle School Students (Saranac Lake Youth Center, 29 Woodruff St)

5:00 pm Winter Carnival Grand Marshall Reception ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street) To make a reservation contact Milt Adams at 518-891-4367

6:00 pm Winter Carnival Royalty Dinner ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)

6:00 pm *Main Street Exchange presents "Roman Around Carnival" Fashion Show, Three rounds of Roman fashion: Ancient attire based off of Social Class, Gods and Goddesses, and Ancient Roman attire in modern times. Contact Main Street Exchange to purchase tickets. ($, The Garagery, behind Grizle-T's on Dorsey Street)

8:00 pm *Live Music--Ryan Montbleau (Solo) with special guest Hayley Jane, doors open 7:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)

* NOTE: An asterisk indicates events run by a group other than the Winter Carnival Committee and is for informational purposes only

$ NOTE: A dollar sign indicates there is a cost involved with this event.