• Adirondack State Park - 6 Million Acres
• Adirondack Forest Preserve - 2.3 Million Acres
• 8,000 Sq. miles of mountains
• 2,000 miles of foot trails
• 240 lean-tos
• 35 campsites
• 200 lakes at least a square mile area
• There are over 2,000 high peak mountains
• There are over 40 high peak mountains over 4,000 feet
• The highest peak is Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet
• There are over 50 species of animals
• Over 220 Birds Over 30 species of reptiles and amphibians
• 66 species of fish
• Over 2,300 lakes and ponds
• 1,500 miles of rivers
• 30,000 miles of brooks and streams

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a week long celebration that came into being around the turn of the century. Developed as a traditional approach to cure "cabin fever" for the local residents, The Winter Carnival became an annual event in 1897. The centerpiece of the festival is the ice palace, a grand structure built entirely of 700 pound blocks of translucent lake ice.

Prior to the advent of refrigeration, ice cutting was a thriving profession in the North Country. Blocks of ice were harvested from the frozen lakes of the region and shipped to the cities; packed in sawdust aboard railroad boxcars. The use of ice blocks as building blocks was an obvious invention and the first ice palace was born.

In the initial years of Winter Carnival, the construction of the palace was the source of much competition between the various ice cutters, the early ice palaces were quite elaborate, with each succeeding year's buildings striving to out do the the previous years'. Each company took pride in their design and spent many hours sculpting the ornamentation of the palace.

Present day ice palaces retain this excitement in the choice of design, as engineering students from various colleges die for the opportunity to see their design utilized. Construction begins in late January as the ice blocks are harvested and assembled along the shore of Lake Flower in the center of the Village of Saranac Lake. The design includes indoor rooms: a throne room, staircases, towers and embattlements reaching heights of 50 feet, as well as an ice slide leading out onto the lake ice. Fabricated completely with volunteer labor, the palace utilizes over 3000 ice blocks, each cut to size of 2 feet wide by 2 feet thick by 4 feet long. Using slush as mortar, the blocks are frozen in place as the palace takes form.

The sheer size of the structure is impressive and the sight of such a beautiful building created entirely of natural materials is awe inspiring. Illuminated by interior lights, it is a marvel to visit on a crisp winter's eve or a joy to behold on a sunny weekend day with children scurrying along its ramparts.

For Further information contact the Sarnanac Lake Chamber fo Commerce. Main Street, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983. Phone: 518-891-1990.

One of Americas finest outdoor history museums and called, the best of its kind in the world, by the New York Times, the Adirondack Museum is the only place to discover the regions history. A magnificent new Visitors Center and Museum Store welcome visitors to the stories of how people have lived, worked, traveled, and played, in the Adirondacks from the early 1800s to the present. In addition, two fine art galleries showcase some of the regions finest works from nationally acclaimed artists. Traditional skills demonstrations, hands-on activities, games for the whole family, and special events are all part of the Adirondack Museum experience. Open daily 9:30 5:30, May 24, 2002 through October 14, 2002 (except Friday, September 27 when the museum closes to allow for set-up of the Adirondack Museum Antiques Show the following day).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2002

June 14 - 16 : No-Octane Regatta Weekend Wooden boat races, a Grand Parade of Boats, demonstrations, workshops, behind-the-scenes tours of the museum. s boat collection, activities for children, food, music, and more. The fun begins with a Splash Into Summer party Friday evening. An opportunity for the whole family to spend a weekend in the Adirondacks on or near the water.

July 02-07: Rustic Furniture Making - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jim Lanthier demonstrates rustic furniture making.

July 09-14: Weaving on a floor loom. - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pete Rose weaves on a floor loom.

July 11: Teddy Bears Picnic Anniversary Celebration: Concert on the lawn at 1:00 pm for families of all ages with award-winning singer/songwriter Gary Rosen. Children admitted free when accompanied by a Teddy Bear.

July 13: Garden Festival. A day-long celebration of gardening in the Adirondacks. Demonstrations, plant sales, keynote speaker, activities for children, workshop.

July 16-21: Seat Caning Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Everard Crocker. Buck Lake Club Camp on museum grounds.

July 23-28: Willow Basket Weaving - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jean Gage, Buck Lake Club Camp.

July 30 Aug. 4: Ash-Splint Basket Making - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jack Leadley, Buck Lake Club Camp.

August 6-11: Quilting - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Diane Britt and Linda Bennett, Buck Lake Club Camp.

August 13-18: Swedish Rag Rugs - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lis Barsuglia-Marsden, Buck Lake Club Camp.

August 20-25: Card wool & Spin Fleece - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Serendipity Spinners, Buck Lake Club Camp.

August 21-25: Traditional Blacksmithing - Demonstration - 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. John Scarlett. Center campus.

September 14: Rustic Furniture Fair 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Showcasing one-of-a-kind works by 50 craftspeople, the Fair features furnishings hand-constructed from natural materials in their natural form. Individual pieces may be purchased.

September 28: Adirondack Museum Antiques Show - 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. With an emphasis on rustic Adirondack furniture and accessories, the Annual Adirondack Museum Antiques Show, with 100 dealers represented, offers antique lovers a wide range of choices.