named programs · 20 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Cross-Country Ski Races
Annual cross-country skiing competition held at Dewey Mountain, sponsored by Community Bank
Arctic Golf
Winter golf event at Prescott Park, sponsored by Edward Jones, including a build-an-obstacle contest
Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza
Adaptive sports event held at the Ice Palace, featuring wheelchair participants
Children's Skating Races
Youth skating competition at Saranac Lake Civic Center, sponsored by Coakley Home and Hardware
Cosmic Bowl and Boogie
Themed bowling event at Romano's Saranac Lanes, sponsored by Romano's
Family Open Skate
Community skating event at Saranac Lake Civic Center, sponsored by Coakley Home and Hardware
Firefighter's Broom Ball
Recreational broomball game for firefighters at Saranac Lake Civic Center
Fry Pan Toss Events
Recreational tossing competition for adults and children, sponsored by Taylor Rental and Saranac Lake Teacher's Association
Hit the Button Curling Competition
Curling event on Pontiac Bay - Lake Flower, organized in partnership with Lake Placid Curling Club
Ice Palace Fun Run
Community fun run event at the Ice Palace, sponsored by NBT Bank
Innertube Races
Downhill tubing competition at Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, sponsored by Adirondack Bank
Snow Rugby
Winter rugby match organized by CanAm Rugby, held at Elks Field
Snowflake Volleyball
Indoor volleyball tournament held at Saranac Lake Civic Center, sponsored by Elevate ADK and Above the Treeline
Snowshoe Races
Night snowshoe racing event at Dewey Mountain, sponsored by Curtis Lumber
Torchlight Skiing and Fireworks
Evening skiing procession followed by fireworks display at Mt. Pisgah, sponsored by AMA
Tug of War
Team strength competition held at Riverside Park, sponsored by Rice Furniture
Ultimate Frisbee Games
Winter Ultimate Frisbee tournament sponsored by LifePower Chiropractic and held at Petrova Athletic Fields
White Stag Downhill Ski Races
Youth downhill skiing competition at Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, sponsored by ADK BBQ
Women's Civic Cornhole Tournament
Annual cornhole competition hosted by Women's Civic, serving as a fundraiser and community contest
Youth Cross-Country Ski Race
Junior skiing competition at Dewey Mountain, sponsored by Adirondack Health
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
- Manage themed programming and community engagement for the Winter CarnivalSelects annual themes for the Winter Carnival—such as 'CARTOONIVAL' for 2026—and invites public feedback through social media. Also includes organizing the coronation of a King and Queen to honor local citizens for volunteer contributions and hosting Accessibility Day to promote inclusive participation.
- Organize and produce the annual Saranac Lake Winter CarnivalPlans and executes the annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, a multi-day community event held each February featuring themed programming, parades, sports competitions, fireworks, and family gatherings. The 2026 event was scheduled for February 6–15 and the 2027 event is set for February 5–14.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Conduct fundraising and operate a gift shop to support Carnival operationsRaises funds through donations, merchandise sales via a gift shop (offering buttons, flags, and posters), and events like trivia nights and fun runs. Profits help offset production costs including Ice Palace construction and event logistics. Also raised over $300,000 through the annual Turkey Trot benefiting other local causes.
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Organized Recreational Ski Trips and Club Activities 1 activity
- Host winter sports and recreational events during the CarnivalOrganizes and hosts a variety of winter sports and recreational activities as part of the Winter Carnival, including downhill and cross-country ski races for adults and children at Mt. Pisgah and Dewey Mountain, snowshoe races, tug-of-war competitions, cornhole tournaments, and fun runs such as the Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza, which is wheelchair-accessible.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Maintain historical archives and educational outreach about the Winter CarnivalPublishes and preserves archival video documentation of past Winter Carnival events, including the 2025 festival, and operates a mobile educational unit called the History Hut that displays historical photos and memorabilia to educate the public about the Carnival’s heritage.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Operate volunteer and sponsorship-based support systems for the CarnivalCoordinates a volunteer-driven operation for the Winter Carnival, engaging individuals of all ages in roles such as Ice Palace construction, event leadership, greeter duties, and committee work. The event is supported by sponsorships and community partnerships.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Construct and maintain the annual Ice PalaceDesigns and builds an Ice Palace each year as the centerpiece of the Winter Carnival using volunteer labor, traditional tools like antique ice saws, and manual techniques including hand-placed slush mortar. Structures are made from 1,000 to 4,000 ice blocks harvested from Lake Flower and can reach up to 60 feet high, with construction relying entirely on volunteers since the 1960s.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$189K
Contributions & grants$122K65%
Program service revenue$3K2%
Investment income——
Other revenue$47
expenses
Total expenses$134K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$209K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$209K
2 years on record · 2024–2025 · YoY revenue +23.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 7
- BARBARA MARTIN — DIRECTOR
- DAVID ROCKEFELLER — DIRECTOR
- DJ FOWLER — DIRECTOR
- ELLE FINOCAN — DIRECTOR
- JOE PLUMB — DIRECTOR
- KATRINA DEARDEN — DIRECTOR
- MILT ADAMS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- ADK BBQ Partner — Sponsor of the White Stag Downhill Ski Races
- Above the Treeline Partner — Sponsor of Snowflake Volleyball
- Adirondack Artist's Guild Partner — Co-sponsor of Artists Night at the Ice Palace
- Adirondack Daily Enterprise Partner — Sponsor of the Volunteer Reception Dinner at the Winter Carnival
- Adirondack Foundation - Keet Family Fund Funder — Supports the Winter Carnival through a donor-advised fund
- Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters Partner — Sponsor of the All Day Clue Hunt at the Winter Carnival
- ArtWorks Partner — Co-sponsor of Artists Night at the Ice Palace
- Coakley Home and Hardware Partner — Sponsor of the Family Open Skate event
- Community Bank Partner — Sponsor of the 2026 Adult Cross-Country Ski Races
- Community Bank Partner — Sponsor of the Adult Cross Country Ski Races at the Winter Carnival
- Compass Printing Partner — Impact Sponsor of the Winter Carnival
- Curtis Lumber Partner — Sponsor of the Snowshoe Races
- Curtis Lumber Partner — Sponsor of the Snowshoe Races at the Winter Carnival
- Edward Jones Partner — Sponsor of Arctic Golf events including the Build-an-Obstacle Contest
- Edward Jones Partner — Sponsor of the Suncatchers Display and Competition at the Winter Carnival
- Elevate ADK Partner — Sponsor of the 2026 Snowflake Volleyball event
- Elk's Club Partner — Hosted the final vote for the 2026 Winter Carnival theme selection.
- Interfaith Food Pantry Partner — Supported through funds raised by the annual Turkey Trot.
- Kiwanis Club of Saranac Lake Partner — Sponsor of Children’s Sporting Event Entry Fees at the Winter Carnival
- LifePower Chiropractic Partner — Sponsor of Ultimate Frisbee games
- LifePower Chiropractic Partner — Sponsor of the Ultimate Frisbee event at the Winter Carnival
- Long Run Wealth Advisors Partner — Sponsor of the Curling Exhibition at the Winter Carnival
- Long Run Wealth Advisors Partner — Sponsor of the Lake Placid Curling Club Hit the Button Curling Competition
- NBT Bank Partner — Sponsor of the Fun Run at the Winter Carnival
- NBT Bank Partner — Sponsor of the Ice Palace Fun Run
- Pontiac Club Partner — Early supporter of the Ice Palace construction and winter carnival activities in Saranac Lake
- Rice Furniture Partner — Sponsor of the 2026 Tug of War competition
- Rice Furniture Partner — Sponsor of the Tug of War event at the Winter Carnival
- Romano's Partner — Sponsor of the Winter Carnival Cosmic Bowl and Boogie and the 2026 Bedrock Bowl and Boogie
- Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce Partner — Collaborates to promote entertainment events during the Winter Carnival.
+ 10 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Wellness via Winter Engagementmethodology: community_wellness_through_winter_eventsBy hosting festive winter events during socially isolating months, the organization promotes community well-being because shared celebration fosters connection, reduces seasonal isolation, and strengthens social cohesion.
- Cultural Preservation Through Education and Engagementmethodology: cultural_preservation_through_education_and_fundingBy combining public education on the historical significance of the Winter Carnival with inclusive programming, the organization preserves cultural tradition because awareness and participation reinforce intergenerational continuity and communal identity.
- Themed Community Celebrationmethodology: themed_community_celebrationBy selecting an annual theme through public voting and using it to shape programming, the organization fosters continuity, collective creativity, and sustained engagement because shared thematic focus strengthens community ownership and excitement across years.
- Volunteer-Driven Community Ownershipmethodology: community_volunteer_modelBy relying on widespread volunteer participation to plan and execute events, the organization strengthens community investment and ensures sustainability because collective labor fosters personal stake and intergenerational continuity in the Winter Carnival tradition.