“Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau has released his poster design for the 2020 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Using the Winter Carnival’s designated theme “Myths and Legends,” Trudeau’s illustration shows “Doonesbury” character Zonker as a knight riding a winged unicorn and gazing at a sword.

Trudeau, who was raised in Saranac Lake, has created the Winter Carnival poster design since 2012 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

Trudeau signed 100 posters which cost $70 each including tax. There is an additional cost for shipping if local pick-up is not possible. Signed posters are available to purchase starting January 2, on or after that date you can contact Jeff Dickson by e-mail at casjdcksn@aol.com or by phone at (518) 891-4344. Those who have purchased signed posters in the past can contact Dickson to continue the numbered series. Unclaimed numbered posters will be made available to the public on a first come/first served basis. Contact Mr. Dickson to be placed on the waiting list.

A raffle will be held for signed poster #1. Sales are limited to 100 raffle tickets at a cost of $5 each. Tickets are available from Mr. Dickson until the opening of carnival on January 31, and then they’re available at carnival headquarters and gift shop (193 River Street) until the carnival ends on February 9.

Unsigned posters are for sale at Ampersound (52 Main Street) beginning on 12/20 and at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (39 Main Street) beginning on 12/26, payment is by cash only. They will also be sold at the event headquarters and gift shop during Winter Carnival. The cost for an unsigned poster is $15 including tax. In addition to current year posters, some prior year unsigned posters are still available for $10. Posters for years 2012 and 2017 are completely sold out. To purchase a poster by mail, contact Mr. Dickson. There is an additional cost for shipping.

Note, the 2020 buttons are not yet available for sale. Once they are, organizers will communicate when and where they can be purchased.

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, formally known as the Society for Promotion of Winter Carnival, is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to planning and presenting an annual mid-winter festival. This 10-day, communitywide event traces its roots to a one-day Winter Carnival held in 1897 by the Pontiac Club. The Carnival honors its heritage every year by building an Ice Palace from blocks of ice harvested from Lake Flower’s Pontiac Bay, where carnival events have been traditionally held for generations. For more information, visit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival website. The 2020 Winter Carnival will take place January 31 – February 9.