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The Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival has been a
tradition for close to five decades. This year’s event was
scheduled for January 15/16, 2005, but due to inclement weather
and poor ice conditions it was postponed for two weeks. The
patience and persistence paid off as the carnival took place
this past weekend and was a great success.
The annual event takes place in a setting directly
out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Children and adults of all
ages belly-flop and silhouette on the smooth ice rink with a
background of the Catskill mountain foothills, churches,
Victorian houses and beautiful native blue spruces. The
organization of the event involves every member of the LM Rotary
Club as there is a committee structure that runs the event. The
organizing of the event involves more than 150 individuals and
cooperation and collaboration between numerous entities within
the Livingston Manor vicinity including the Town of Rockland
Highway Department, the LM Fire Companies, the Sullivan County
Sheriff’s Patrol, the New York State Police Troop F, The LM
Volunteer Ambulance Corp, the Livingston Manor Central School
Student Council, Rolling V Bus Company (shuttle busses), Price
Rite RV Center, Hebrew National, Inc, Wal-Mart, Internet
Solutions, Sullivan County Visitor’s Association, Towne Crier,
Sullivan County Democrat, Times Herald Record, Catskill Shopper,
River Reporter, WVOS Radio (onsite broadcasts), WSUL, WDNB
All-News Radio, WJFF Public Radio, Cable 6 News. All events at
the carnival are free as local businesses are solicited to fund
the event. This year donations included grants from the Lazare
and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation, the Sullivan County Youth
Bureau,
NYS Office of Children and
Family Services
and the Town of Rockland as well sponsorships from more than 70
local businesses and community members.
Events of the
Ice Carnival weekend included a snow sculpture contest on
Saturday morning between grades 9-12 from the local school.
LMCS Alumni also participate by making snow sculptures that are
enjoyed by the crowd annually. Prominent VIPS from the
community and media judge the snow sculpture contest. This
year’s theme was “A Night in Vegas” and the winner was the Class
of 2009 for their rendition of the Mirage Hotel Sphynx. On
Saturday, January 14th, a dance for the youngsters
was held and the new Ice Carnival King Anthony Barotti & Queen
Jessica Johnson were crowned. After postponements for two
weeks, events shifted to Rotary Park where Puerto Rico’s
National Champion Rohene Ward wowed the crowd along with local
amateur skating exhibitions by local youngsters. Ward joins an
array of Past Olympic Medallists and National Champions Elaine
Zayak, Jo Jo Starbuck, Arik & Akop, Charles and Beata, and
Dmitri Gromov who have been feature skaters in past years.
Amateur skaters of all ages who train at Kutsher's Country Club
and Ice Time Skating Rink in Newburgh provided entertainment. A
skating demonstration also took place by students in the
Livingston Manor Skating Club who take lessons following the
USFSA’s basic skills program. The skaters delighted the crowd
of close to 1000 spectators with their outstanding
performances.
Following
the exhibitions, there were races for kids and adults alike,
with Olympic type gold, silver & bronze medals awarded to the
winners of each race. Skaters of the Day were awarded to
Melanie Reisner, Danielle Fredenburg, Brad Hemmer and Brian
Casey. Dogsledders mushed around the ball field throughout the
day and a horse drawn sleigh was also available for riding.
Over 600 Hot dogs and 1000 cups hot chocolate were provided to
all to fill their bellies and warm their hands. All events at
the carnival were free as local businesses sponsor the event.
The First
Annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival was held on January
18, 1959 at Scudder’s Pond. The carnival consisted of racing
events limited to the local children. A few years later the
event was moved to the Livingston Manor Central School grounds.
Rotary Park has been the location of the ice rink and annual ice
carnival since 1986 with the same traditions continuing under
the chairmanship of Gary Siegel. Figure skating lessons and a
hockey instructional program were added as part of the youth
programs the Livingston Manor Rotary provides. The skating
lessons are sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating
Association (USFSA) and open to all Livingston Manor residents
aged 5 to 16.
The Ice
Carnival provides a terrific family weekend in the fresh
Catskill air. It also provides a feeling of camaraderie,
friendship and great conversation through the months of December
and January while residents wait in anticipation. Under the
direction of park commissioner’s past and present, Rotarians
continue their work bees. Ice making crews make ice at the rink
every evening in the winter, and with the cooperation of Mother
Nature the ice carnival continues. The rink will be open daily
from 3 PM – 8 PM weekdays and 10 AM – 8 PM on weekends. |
