We know that viewership of this website extends beyond the boundaries of Saranac Lake and even New York, so a little description of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival and its royalty is in order.

It is claimed that Saranac Lake hosts the oldest winter carnival in the USA. The carnival holds its roots to being a mid winter break from the severe winters common to Saranac Lake. The week long event sees numerous activities that include woodsman's exhibitions, curling, arctic golf, ski races, various entertainment, and lots of winter fun. The main attractions of the carnival are the famous ice palace, the gala parade, and spectacular fireworks. Saranac Lake native Gary Trudeau, cartoonist and creator of Doonesbury even joins in with an annual creation of a Doonesbury themed "Winter carnival Button".

The opening ceremony of the winter carnival is the annual "coronation" of royalty. The royalty of the carnival includes a King, a Queen, and a full court including Chamberlains, Pages, and a Prince and Princess. The courts royal duties include presiding over all the winter carnival events. The royalty is chosen by the community. They are folks chosen for their contributions and community service. It is an honor to be selected. Perhaps the largest honor goes to the King and the Queen. They are nominated from the community and voted on by past Kings and Queens of the Winter Carnival. For local Saranac Lakers this is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed.

From saranaclakewintercarnival.com

"The Winter Carnival celebration begins with the coronation of the King and Queen of the Winter Carnival - local citizens who have been chosen for their substantial contributions to the well-being of the Saranac Lake community through their volunteer work. The King and Queen will be announced during the Coronation."

Last nights coronation was a very special honor for our very own Fire Chief Brendan Keough. Brendan along with community member Kathy Ford were named 2016 King and Queen of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. We at the SLVFD could not be more proud. We know the contributions that both Brendan and Kathy make to the community we love, serve, and protect.

The Keough family has served our fire department over many generations, in fact this year Brendan's son Trevor Keough has joined the department as a probationary member. We call the fire service a "brotherhood" and we celebrate our brother being honored in this way. Congratulations to Brendon, his wife Julie, his son Trevor, and his daughters Meghan and Kelly.

This Bio appeared in today's Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

"Brendan Keough was born and raised in Saranac Lake. He attended Saranac Lake Central Schools and graduated from SUNY Canton.

Over the years, he has been very active in many community organizations and activities. He was part of the original organizing committee to establish the Saranac Lake Youth Center, served on its board and acted as its interim assistant program director. He is a volunteer member of the upstate New York Critical Incident Stress Management Team. He is a charter and past member of the Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club.

Keough is a PAL Football coach and a past president and coach of the Pee Wee Hockey Association. He is a member of the Saranac Lake Elks BPOE 1508 and the past president and co-founder of the Good Grief Experience Inc. and Camp Good Grief. He volunteers for Saranac Lake High School's Student Bereavement Group.

Keough is the chief of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He has been a member of the department for 27 years and served as an officer for 18 of those years. He shared the Franklin County Firefighter of the Year award with three other members of the Saranac Lake department and was recognized as the Northern New York Firefighter of the Year for actions taken in a residential fire in 2011. He is a member of the department's dive team.

Keough is a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. He is third-generation Winter Carnival Royalty and holds the self-proclaimed title of "World's Worst Ventriloquist." He works in the family business as the president and manager of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home.

He is the son of Ronald and Peggy, the husband to Julie, the father to Meghan and her husband Andrew, Kelly and her fiance Andrew, and son Trevor."