It’s a wrap: 2018 Lake George Winter Carnival in photos

The 57th Annual Lake George Winter Carnival kicked off Saturday, Feb. 3, with opening ceremonies, outhouse races and steaming chafing pans of spicy chili. It has been three years since the ice on Lake George has frozen strong enough to support on-ice races and, for most of the month, the ice remained solid allowing most events to proceed as scheduled. The fickle weather did cause some cancellations when rising temperatures and rain created slushy, unsafe conditions at times, but overall, Lake George Winter Carnival 2018 carried on in the tradition of good old-fashioned winter fun.

lake george winter carnival ameircan legion post at opening ceremonies
Lake George American Legion Post 374 stands on MacDonald Pier at the Shepard Park Beach during opening ceremonies, Feb. 3, 2018.

The Lake George Winter Carnival’s signature event, the outhouse race, was held on the lake following opening ceremonies. This year the field was small with only four privies entered. Past years have seen more than a dozen teams competing. The 2018 champion was Adirondack Studios TNT. According to race organizer Linda Duffy, this is the seventh consecutive year that Adirondack Studios took first place.

Lake George Winter Carnival Outhouse Races
Adirondack Studios race against Bay Ridge Fire Department’s Ridge Runner privy team, Feb. 3, 2018.
snowman lake george winter carnival
A snowstorm early in the month left building materials for the snowman making competition in Shepard Park.

The Winter Carnival Cook-offs have almost become an event in themselves. Each Saturday in February, a long line forms through Shepard Park as Festival attendees wait to sample the best local restaurants have to offer at the chili, barbecue, chowder and chicken wing cook-offs. After sampling entries, tasters cast a vote for their favorite.

Lake George Winter Carnival chicken wing cook-off
Lake George Examiners Eric and Nate take a serious approach to judging chicken wings at the Lake George Winter Carnival chicken wing cook-off, Feb. 24, 2018.
Lake George Examiner Associate Sarah Winter casts a vote for her favorite chicken wings, Feb. 24, 2018.

There are plenty of talented dogs in Lake George, and at 2 p.m. each day of the Winter Carnival they get a chance to show their stuff. The Lake George Dogs Got Talent show is sponsored by The Dog Cabin. Judges selected from the crowd assign points to the performances of each entered pup. Dogs would roll over, shake hands, sing and just look cute for a chance to win a prize from The Dog Cabin.

lake George Winter Carnival dog show
An entrant in the Lake George Dogs Got Talent show held at Shepard Park Beach, Feb. 3, 2018.

Artistry is on display in Shepard Park throughout the Carnival. An intricate ice beach served as a popular spot for photos and a chainsaw artist worked through the weekends turning tree trunks into bears and lions.

Lake George Winter Carnival chainsaw carving
Lake George Winter Carnival ice carving

Each Saturday of the Winter Carnival closed with a bonfire, s’mores and fireworks.

Lake George Winter Carnival bonfire
Pallets and old Christmas trees are set ablaze on the Shepard Park Beach.

Cars, trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles and pedestrians took to the lake each weekend. Organizers plowed a path across the lake from Shepard Park to the East Side. Another path followed the lake north to Hearthstone Point Campground.

lake george winter carnival
snowmobiles on Lake George
Children play ice hockey on Lake George
AMEC ice racing on Lake George

There was plenty of activity on Canada Street throughout the month. Shops, restaurants and bars were crowded each weekend. Shelby Burkhartz of the Adirondack Winery says their tasting room was bustling, particularly on the colder days as Carnival goers sought to warm up with indoor activities.

Adirondack Winery patrons enjoy tastings at the Winery’s tasting room on Canada Street. Feb. 24 and 25, the Grand Finale weekend, featured a Sugar & Spice tasting that paired wine with sweets.
ice begins to thaw on Lake George
The final weekend of the Lake George Winter Carnival came with warmer weather, sleet and rain, forcing an early end to on-ice activities.

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2 thoughts on “It’s a wrap: 2018 Lake George Winter Carnival in photos”

  1. Great month of activities. Cheers to the entire Winter Carnival Volunteer committee and all those who helped make Lake George Winter Carnival the place to be throughout the month of February. Great coverage by the Examiner!!!

  2. Great photographic roundup! Some really nice pictures. Lake George Village certainly knows how to have fun.

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