I am truly one of those people that love winter. I rarely complain about it, since it doesn’t do any good anyway, but mostly because winter seems to end at the appropriate time.

I love the change of season and before you think I’m about to break into song, this year’s end of winter seems to be a bit different.

Perhaps it’s my late season initiation into the frozen water pipe club or that we’ve had a few snow-related outdoor injuries. It could be that not having water and now watching it steadily drip out of my faucet is slowly driving me mad. That drip, drip, drip has me passing out buckets of potable water like Halloween candy. Whatever the cause, the effect has me searching for ways to shake off a different kind of March madness.

The Adirondack Museum still has its Cabin Fever Sunday Winter Lectures Series and now Saranac Lake is getting ready to shrug off winter with its annual Cabin Fever Classic Film Festival. Starting Wednesday, March 4, at 7:30 pm with Zero Hour (1957), this year’s festival will be taking place at The Saranac Village at Will Rogers’ dining room. The suggested donation is $6/adults, $5/seniors (60+) and Free/children (ages 12 and younger).

It seems quite fitting to host a classic film festival at the former National Variety Artists Lodge (Sanatorium). The 1929 Tudor-style building was a branch of the National Vaudeville Association (NVA) built to provide care to vaudeville actors. With the popularity of movies and the decline of vaudeville, the NVA transferred the hospital to the Will Rogers Memorial Commission. Named after the multi-talented actor of the same name, the hospital’s scope widened to serve all types of performers. With its high ceilings, classic architecture and theatre stage, it is a great opportunity to bring classic films back to a location once filled with entertainers.

Saranac Lake Classic Film Festival Series
All movies start at 7:30 pm with a classic cartoon introduction.
March 4: Zero Hour (1957)
March 11: Tarnished Angels (1957)
March 18: China Clipper (1936)
March 24: Never Give A Sucker An Even Break (1941)

According to Classic Film Festival organizer Tim Fortune this year’s movie schedule was chosen with an aviation theme as a grateful nod to their sponsor Cape Air. Fortune also encourages individuals and families to bring a picnic, snacks or dinner to eat at one of the many tables while watching the classic film series.

Even though my family isn’t going to be traveling anywhere soon, we can leave for a few hours and escape our woes with the help of the Classic Film Festival. Of course, if you need any water, just bring a bucket. I’m always willing to share.

Photo of Will Rogers Memorial Hospital courtesy Historic Saranac Lake.