Story compiled and written by Leni Santoro
LIVINGSTON MANOR – For those of you who have never attended the annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival you just don’t know what you are missing. A much beloved tradition for 51 years, the carnival comes complete with a Queen, a King and (in the past) some of the most famous figure skaters ever to take to the ice, including past Olympic Medalists and National Champions Elaine Zayak, Jo Jo Starbuck, Arik & Akop, Charles and Beata, Dmitri Gromov, Emily Hughes and Rohene Ward.
This year’s 51st Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival takes place this coming weekend, January 16 and 17, at Rotary Park in Livingston Manor.
The First Annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival was held on January 18, 1959 at Scudder’s Pond. Over the years the carnival has grown considerably and yet some things remain the same.
From the beginning there was an Ice Carnival Queen and her court of ice princesses. Over the years the court has come to include princes and a King, as well.
The Ice Carnival Dance, always a part of the festivities is held at the Livingston Manor Central School. The crowning takes place at 9:15 p.m. and while the dance is primarily attended by the younger folk, the public is encouraged to attend the crowning and meet the new Ice Carnival Queen before she is escorted around the rink by her court on Sunday.
But, before the crowning on Saturday evening, over the years an Ice Sculpture Contest was added. The task of making sculptures from ice and snow begins at 9 a.m. at Rotary Park. Classes from Livingston Manor School, in grades 9 to 12, create ice and snow sculptures that are artistic, fun and oftentimes elaborate, witty and even profound, which are judged later on that afternoon. Winners are announced the following day during the Ice Carnival itself.
On Sunday the Ice Carnival officially gets underway at noon with sign-ups for the ice-skating races to be held after the end of the exhibition skating. At 1 p.m. the Carnival begins with the arrival of the Queen and her King, escorted by their court, for a ride around the rink at Rotary Park. Then it’s time for the exhibition skating to begin. The exhibition skating features nationally and regionally ranked amateur figure skaters from Ice Time in Newburgh, the Skating Club of Boston as well as members of New York Metropolitan Area skating clubs.
Throughout the day there will be free hot dogs and hot cocoa for the kids, Snow Shoeing sponsored by Morgan Outdoors, a Dogsled Demonstration, and Horse-drawn Sleigh-rides (conditions permitting).
Parking is available near Rotary Park, but people are advised to come early as space is limited. In addition Rolling V Bus Corp. is providing shuttle buses throughout the day.
This program is funded in part by grants from the Lazare & Charlotte Kaplan Foundation, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, the Sullivan County Youth Bureau and the Town of Rockland.
(See Schedule below or go to http://www.icecarnival.com/ and click on Schedule)
Thanks to the all the sponsors of the 51st Annual
Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival/Skating Program
Major Benefactors
Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation
Rolling V Bus Corp.
Sullivan County Youth Bureau
Town of Rockland
Major Patrons
Beaverkill Valley Inn
Time Warner Cable
Herbert C Bryant Funeral Home
Major Sponsors
Babich Auto Service Beaverkill Foundation Inc.
Catskill Delaware Publications,Inc. Catskill Hudson Bank
Catskill Shopper Cooper, Niemann & Co. LLP
Dr. Don Simkin, DDS Dr. Alan & Mary Fried
George & Shirley Fulton Graphic Design
Hoos Truck Company Harvey & Jane Susswein
Hot Corner Sports Collectibles Internet Solutions
Jeff Bank Jovic Enterprises
Lanza’s Country Inn LM Community Center,Inc.
Manor Hose Company #1 Morgan Outdoors
Peck’s Market of Livingston Manor The Misner Agency, Inc.
RM Farm Real Estate Will Hardware
The Meyer Family WSUL/WVOS Radio
Thunder 102 Radio
The Country Stores Youth Foundation, Inc.
Price Rite Boat and Camper Sales
Race Sponsors
Beth’s Headquarters
Cornerstone Community Church
County Petroleum Products, Inc.
Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop
Jim Rose Electric
Kevin & Peggy Michaud
Lori Bertsch-Brustman, PLLC
Medicap Pharmacy
RE Shaver Inc.
Martin & Shirley Schwartz
The Douglas Smith Family
The Lazy Beagle, LLC
White Sulpher Springs, Inn
Willow & Brown
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