Winter Carnival Committee reflects on 2024 events

SARANAC LAKE | The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee wrapped up with a meeting to discuss what went well and what needs improvement for next year, Feb. 20. First-year Chairman Rob Russell started with his report. He estimated the committee contributed more than 200,000 volunteer hours from start to finish, resulting in a successful carnival. "I don't think anything says it more than the joy in a child's eyes when they see the ice palace illuminated, when they see snow or ice for the very first time, when they receive a ribbon for participating in a very simplistic event, that is the Winter Carnival spirit," Russell said. "That is why I volunteer for Winter Carnival and that's why I assume all of you do too. It's a spirit that is contagious and must never be allowed to die." At the first 2024 Winter Carnival Committee meeting, Russell proposed three major changes. He believes they all worked out well. First, they moved the closing fireworks from Sunday to Saturday night so that more people could attend and it didn't conflict with the Super Bowl. They also moved the community showing of the slideshow to a few days after the carnival was over. The third change was they asked the public to vote for The Louis Fobare Memorial Trophy for "Best in Show," via a QR code. "That was the one that was the scariest because we didn't know how that would go," Russell said. "But I think we pulled that off very, very nicely." The most common positive committee members shared was the turnout for events and the fun those attendees had. Meachele Manchester's photographer role brought her to almost every single carnival event. She commended her fellow committee members for the hard work they have put in over the last month straight. She said she also runs the Facebook page and has hidden negative comments because she doesn't want them or the community to read them. "I know how hard you all work and how much heart you put into it, Rob I know how much heart you put into it," she said. "I don't want any of you to ever feel like one or two people sitting behind a keyboard have a right to put down an entire group's thousands and thousands of hours, passion, spirit that this community has." She also said the court was exceptionally good this year. "They not only attended [every event], but mingled and got involved with people there," Manchester said. "They really represented us well." DJ Fowler, who is in charge of the Fry Pan Toss, had more than 200 participants. She also coordinated transportation to the Ice Palace for handicapped individuals. "That was kind of a mix," she said. "The people that came loved it, they were very, very appreciative of coming. The handicapped parking thing we need to work on for next year. That's something I'd like to see a little bit better coordination." Chrissie Wais, co-owner of the Belvedere, said the Magician/Illusionist Leon Etienne went well and he wants to come back as soon as possible. Several committee members suggested establishing clearer guidelines about the parade. The carnival committee received pushback for allowing a monster truck with a confederate flag on it but telling a group their posters calling for ceasefire in Gaza were too political. This led to an emergency meeting the following Thursday. This discussion was alluded to at the wrap up meeting, with suggestions like "we need clearer guidelines." The current guidelines state "we reserve the right to refuse any parade entries that we consider to be inappropriate and/or offensive." "We're not the only entity to face these kinds of questions in these controversies, Wais said. "And the antidote is always make everything as clear as possible, so there's not as much room for interpretation." She suggested inviting buy in from as many people as possible from from from sponsors and community members. Another issue that was brought up several times was the lack of cell phone service in town, especially during the parade. At the next meeting, March 12, the committee will discuss next year's theme.

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Winter Carnival Committee reflects on 2024 events

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