Cartoonival Clips

Posted On February 6, 2026

A 2026 SL Winter Carnival Prequel

My wife Robin & I decided to make our annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival roadtrip a day early this year, in part because she’s in the midst of getting ready for her own week long mother/daughter road trip to Florida, but mostly to get ahead of this year’s Carnival’s anticipated opening weekend crowds and predicted bone chilling weather.

So we drove up Friday morning, before the Ice Palace was officially open. We didn’t know if we’d be able to actually get in, or quite what to expect once we got into town. So our planned mission was simple; purchase this year’s Garry Trudeau Winter Carnival pin, and then see what we were able to see of the castle.

I already had my limited edition GB Trudeau Winter Carnival poster. He only hand signs 100. Thanks to my brother Ray’s efforts I’m #65, this being my 3rd year on the list.

So Robin & I rose first thing Friday morning, ate a quick breakfast, bundled up warmly and then headed out. The morning’s sun shined bright overhead. The skyline’s striking hues of blue and sparkling snow gave the day’s snowcapped mountain vistas along Route 3 a spectacular backdrop.

I remarked to my wife that the view out our car window was worth the day’s roadtrip effort all by itself.

We cruised down Lapan Highway into town and were parked before noon.

There was plenty of parking, the day’s air crisp but windless, the sun warm & sparkling.

Best of all, as we made our way towards the Ice Palace my wife & I both noted that there were no crowds to compete with.

We were even able to get our picture taken together in front of the ice palace without getting jostled & photo bombed by 10,000 tourists.

We hadn’t been certain we’d be able to get in, but were pleasantly surprised, Cartoonival’s massive ice palace was open.

This year’s palace is nothing short of spectacular.

I lounged with the Simpsons,

“Yaba Daba Doo’d” with the Flinstones,

Exchanged Crabbie Pattie secrets with Spongebob,

Explored life’s greatest question with Bugs Bunny,

Then got devoured by Taz.

I hoped to go toe to toe in a dog house dogfight with the Red Barron.

But Snoopy was sleeping.

So Robin & I chose to sit for a moment,

Where I noticed something fishy

Before returning to our car and driving downtown to The Village Mercantile, where we purchased maple popcorn & a pair of cute knitted cat hats for our two granddaughters,

Then completed our mission.

I can think of few better ways to part with a five dollar bill.

For those whose plans to attend this year’s SL Cartoonival & visit the ice palace are not yet finalized or those on the fence-

This year’s cartoonival Ice Palace is one of the best I’ve seen in recent years. It’s massive, impressive & fun. Kids & adults of all ages will truly enjoy it. It’s well worth the trip! Kudos & sincere thanks to the dedicated folks who put time, energy & long hours of dedicated love into building it.

One final note, for planning purposes, an announcement I just saw cross my Facebook feed-

Those wishing to see SL’s Cartoonival ice palace better get there this week, because apparently, due to insurance requirements, the ice palace has to be torn down immediately after Winter’s Carnival’s closing ceremonies. At least that’s what I’ve heard.

Forewarned is forearmed.

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Until Our Trails Cross Again:

ADKO & Robin