Ice sculptor John “Doc” Ward uses a chainsaw to carve Bigfoot into the wall of the Winter Carnival Ice Palace in Saranac Lake Friday. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

SARANAC LAKE — Every year the Chicago Tribune publishes “A globetrotter’s guide to the world’s big events.” This year’s calendar, which was published Dec. 17, 2019, highlights events in 2020 such as the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West, Florida, the Keukenhof flower festival in Lisse, Netherlands, and the summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

And the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

Winter Carnival Committee President Jeff Branch said it feels good to have the committee, community and celebration recognized on a global scale.

“It’s always good when a small town gets that type of attention,” he said in a phone interview on Friday.

Village Mayor Clyde Rabideau said it’s “thrilling” to be included on the Tribune’s list, and he likes this year’s Winter Carnival theme of “Myths and Legends.”

“I think when the theme is good, people tend to get more involved,” he said in a phone interview Friday. “They dress for it, and they get in the spirit. I expect to see some great costumes and great attitudes next week.”

With events such as Arctic Golf, softball, rugby, skating races, the Gala Parade and plenty more, Branch said it’s difficult to pick just one as his favorite.

“I think there’s something out there for everyone, and after they experience one Winter Carnival, I guarantee they’ll come back for another.”

This year’s Winter Carnival runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9.