Winter Festivals Announced for Northern New York
OutdoorHub 01.17.13
Each winter, the Adirondack Region comes alive with festivals that celebrate Northern New York’s sports heritage, rich history and cherished traditions that span centuries and generations. Visit this February during festival season and find events that spark the imagination, challenge the notion of winter fun and offer thrills for all ages.
Stand under a wintry canopy filled with fireworks, join in the women’s fry pan toss competition and dance the night away at the 116th Annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Slated for February 1-10, this is the first festival to kick off a month of music, snowball battles and polar bear swims. Don’t miss the ice palace or annual closing parade.
This year, Warren County celebrates its bicentennial. Join in the festivities and enjoy an added dash of Adirondack history during the Lake George Winter Carnival, a continuous calendar of events that spans each weekend in February. Highlights of this year’s carnival include the North East Sno-X Series Carnival Cup Race on February 9 and 10.
The Adirondack Coast’s Snowball: A Celebration of Winter is a series of free and inexpensive events spanning the month of February. More than 50 events kick off on February 2 with family swim nights, science workshops, a kid’s carnival and more. Enjoy organized cross-country skiing, sports events for the family and fun educational contests throughout the month.
Additional Adirondack Winter Carnivals and Festivals include:
Carthage Area WinterFest February 9 – Kick off the festival season by tossing around unwanted holiday treats during the Fruit Cake Toss, go snowmobiling in the Tug Hill Region, an area renowned for its annual record-breaking snowfall, and be dazzled and befuddled all at once during the magic show. WinterFest promises a day of family-friendly entertainment – the perfect antidote to cabin fever.
Brant Lake Winter Carnival February 9 – From 11 am until 4 pm – the ice dominates. Participate in snowshoe races on ice, join in a snowshoe softball game, protect your knees during the broomball tournament or play a game of ice hockey. This family-friendly event includes ice sculptures, vintage snowmobile rides, ice fishing tournament, bonfires and complimentary refreshments.
Indian Lake Winterfest – Febraury 15-17 – Celebrating its’ 28th anniversary, this winter festival has it all – from a poker run, to ski and craft fair, a Torch Run and fireworks. Enjoy winter in the heart of the Adirondacks!
Raquette Lake Winter Carnival February 16-17 – This winter extravaganza is a 50-year-old tradition offering kids games, winter lake golf, bonfires, a chainsaw and cross-cut competition and more. This two-day event helps kick off Long Lake’s Winter Wacky Week, which promises seven days of family-friendly events. And don’t miss Long Lake’s attempt to break the world record for the tallest snowman on February 20 at Geiger Arena.
Ogdensburg’s River Shiver and Polar Bear Plunge February 16-24 – Spend a week on the St. Lawrence River and participate in an ice-fishing tournament, hockey, broom ball and basketball tournaments, a reenactment of the Battle of Ogdensburg and the chilly Polar Bear Plunge.
Inlet’s Frozen Fire & Lights February 23 – For one day, enjoy all that makes the Adirondack Region unique as a winter destination. Go sledding, ice-skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with friends and family. Enjoy free refreshments, a cardboard sled race and fireworks followed by a wine and chocolate party.
