The February Lake George Winter Carnival, which has taken place for the last 59 years, has been canceled according to an announcement by Carnival Co-Chairs Louis Tokos and Nancy Nichols. They cite the ongoing pandemic which has already killed nearly 270,000 Americans and is killing more than 1,400 each day in the U.S. About 90,000 people were in the hospital as of Tuesday and many medical facilities have been pushed to their capacity limits.
Warren County Public Health announced nine new cases among county residents on Tuesday, a seven-day rolling infection rate of 1.4% for the county. Thirty-five people have died in Warren County so far. “The mandated guidelines of COVID-19 have caused this ongoing issue,” Tokos and Nichols claimed. “Our concern is for our Winter Carnival volunteer members and visitors who attend this large event to be safe.”
The Winter Carnival is typically a boon to local bars and restaurants, and those Lake George businesses which remain open during winter. The first Lake George Winter Carnival was held in the winter of 1961.
“Each year the Lake George Winter Carnival provides our region with a much needed economic boost and provides a variety of events that lifts the spirit of thousands during our long winter. We know and respect the many volunteers and understand and appreciate their decision,” Village of Lake George Mayor Blais said.
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