The Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival has been a tradition for close to five decades.  Weather permitting, the carnival has taken place on the third Saturday and Sunday of January for the past 48 years.  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 (see committee list).  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 over $15,000 was raised which included grants from the Town of Rockland, the Sullivan County Youth Bureau and the Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation as well sponsorships from more than 70 local businesses and community members.  

Events of the Ice Carnival weekend include a snow sculpture contest on Saturday morning between grades 6-12 from the local school.  Community residents and businesses also participate by making snow sculptures in front of their stores and on their front yards.  Prominent VIPS from the community and media judge the snow sculpture contest.  On Saturday evening a dance for the youngsters is held and the new Ice Carnival King & Queen are crowned.  On Sunday, events shift to Rotary Park where there are professional and amateur skating exhibitions by national and world-renowned figure skaters as well as local youngsters. Past Olympic Medallists and National Champions Elaine Zayak, Jo Jo Starbuck, Arik & Akop, Charles and Beata, and Dmitri Gromov have been featured professionals in past years.  Amateur skaters of all ages who train at Kutsher's Country Club and Ice Time Skating Rink in Newburgh provide entertainment such as past local favorites Amanda Ward and Jenna Diaco. They delighted crowds of over 2000 with outstanding performances. 

There are races for kids and adults alike, with Olympic type gold, silver & bronze medals awarded to the winners.  Dogsledders mush around the ball field throughout the day and a horse drawn sleigh is also available for riding.  Hot dogs and hot chocolate are provided to all of the children to fill bellies and warm hands.  All events at the carnival are free as local businesses are solicited as major sponsors for 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.