Old Forge 2016 Winter Carnival slated February 5–7

Old Forge’s annual Winter Carnival weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, February 5 through 7 with events held in the village and at McCauley Mountain.

With the event taking place so close to Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is this year’s theme.

Winter Carnival will kick-off Friday with McCauley Mountain offering $12 lift tickets.

A Mardi Gras-themed parade down Main Street will begin at 6:45 p.m. and all are welcome to join in the fun and get creative with their floats and costumes.

Following the parade there will be an ice skating party at the Joy Tract Road rink featuring a bonfire, music and hot cocoa.

Skiing will be available all weekend on McCauley’s 22 slopes. Free night skiing will begin on Playmate at 5 p.m.

New Orleans-style fare will be available at the Last Run Café and live music will be provided by Doug Green at 6 p.m.

The coronation of this year’s king and queen, Chris and Diane Gaige, will take place under the ice castle at 7 p.m.

The crowd will be entertained with daredevil jumping by Polar Bear skiers and a torchlight ski show by the Town of Webb School Alpine Ski Team.

The grand finale of the outdoor activities will be a spectacular firework display over the mountain, which will be followed by more music and dancing in the chalet.

Registration for the Polar Bear Ski Club’s 62nd Annual Snowflake Derby on Sunday begins at 9 a.m. Open to skiers of all ages and abilities, the race begins at 11 a.m.

There will be three separate races: giant slalom, dual slalom, and three-person rope team. Prizes and participation ribbons will be awarded in each age group.

Cardboard sled races, sponsored by the TOW School junior class, will begin at 3 p.m.

All entries must be constructed entirely of cardboard, tape and paint. No wood, metal, or other construction materials are allowed.

Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

The race is a qualifier for the annual Adirondack Cardboard Sled Race circuit.

Following the race, the winners of the 2nd Annual Snow Sculpture Contest will be announced.

Sculptures can be created anywhere within the surrounding local areas. Register your entry by contacting Hans Schmid at (315) 369-8491 or kino@schmid.com, to ensure your creation is judged.

This new activity is a fundraiser for the Eskimo Strong program which promotes strong minds, strong hearts and strong communities.

The weekend winds down with more live music from Doug Green in the chalet at 4 p.m. with food and drink specials.

Area shops and restaurants will be open throughout the weekend, so when you need a break from the outdoors, head downtown to dine and shop.

Winter Carnival is a Central Adirondack Association event co-sponsored by McCauley Mountain, Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks, Polar Bear Ski Club, Town of Webb UFSD, Eskimo Strong and McQuade and Bannigan.

For a schedule of the weekend’s events go to www.VisitMyAdirondacks.com. or OldForgeNY.com.

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