An Ice Palace for the People: Inside the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is home to one of the most unique traditions in the country. Each year, volunteers carve thousands of blocks of ice from Lake Flower to build an Ice Palace that becomes the heart of a weeklong celebration. Host Daniel Roth sits down with Chairman Jeffrey Branch to explore how this tradition has survived the elements, grown with the community, and turned into a beloved symbol of winter in the Adirondacks.

From the parade and yearly themes to the volunteer culture that powers every detail, this episode takes you inside a festival that brings people together and brightens even the coldest days. Follow Event Explorer for more stories behind the world’s most remarkable cultural celebrations.