He had a huge, open-mouth smile as he walked onto the stage at the Harrietstown Town Hall.

He had a huge, open-mouth smile when he was fitted with a kingly robe and matching crown.

This man’s smile never ceased to exist.

This year’s Saranac Lake Winter Carnival king and queen are Szwed and Nancy Howard Heath.

Winter Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch present Julia Walkow with the first button of the 2020 Winter Carnival during Coronation Friday night. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

After they were crowned at the annual Coronation ceremony, Winter Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch presented the awards, which go to businesses and individuals that make Winter Carnival possible. The night was about recognizing both past and future participants and organizers.

Coakley Home and Hardware was given the Katie Morgan Fobare Service Award for its donations to the Winter Carnival.

The Don Duso Award was given to Marty Rowley for being a member of the Ice Palace Workers 101 who regularly goes above and beyond.

“He’s one of the first to arrive every day and among one of the last to leave,” Branch said. “He’s someone who will do anything asked of him.”

“I’m new to Saranac Lake,” Rowley said. “I’ve only been here 15 years, but what a sense of community. I just love this place.”

Erin and Andy Walkow watch their daughter Julia take during the 2020 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Coronation at the Harrietstown Town Hall Friday. Julia was the source of this year’s theme, “Myths and Legends.” (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Next, Branch took a page out of “The Polar Express” and presented the first button of this year’s Winter Carnival to Julia Walkow.

“We have a lot of awards for older folks, people like me, people like — really old people like Barbara (Martin), but if we’re going to start building a base of younger folks coming in, we need to start really honoring some of the young ones.”

Walkow was ecstatic when Branch handed her the button.

Walkow is the source of this year’s Winter Carnival theme, “Myths and Legends.” After reading the Percy Jackson book series more than a dozen times, she presented her theme idea to the Winter Carnival Committee, and it got picked. She’s also serving as a page in this year’s festivities.

Mark Kurtz, who has photographed Winter Carnival and created the end-of-the-week slideshow for the past 29 years, received a recognition award. This is Kurtz’s 30th and last year shooting the Winter Carnival.

Longtime Saranac Lake Winter Carnival photographer Mark Kurtz, left, receives an award from Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch at Friday night's Coronation. This is Kurtz's last year as the Carnival's head photographer. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

“I’m going to ask everyone to please take out your cellphones and turn your cameras on for this,” Branch said. “I’d like you all to take a picture of Mark.”

Martin received an award for distributing the annual Winter Carnival buttons and posters, designed by Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau.

“The buttons and posters raise upward of $30,000 a year,” Branch said. “It’s a monumental task. Barbara has been doing it for a long time. She’s stepping back. She’s not leaving Winter Carnival Committee, but she’s passing on her torch.”

Finally, the Trudeau Award, which goes to some one who “exemplifies true Carnival spirit,” had two recipients this year. It was awarded to Clyde Baker and Sue Rice for years of photographing and assisting the high school Carnival Court.

From left, Janie Rabideau, Saranac Lake village Mayor Clyde Rabideau and Kelly Morgan Duprey dance during the 2020 Winter Carnival Coronation at the Harrietstown Town Hall Friday. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

From left, Ron Keough, Shirley Hosler, Jeff Branch, Dorothy Metz and other past kings and queens of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival dance as they approach the stage at Friday night's Coronation. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

From left, 2020 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Pages Zander Clark, Julia Walkow, Abel Williams, Chapin Shatraw, Emmerich Denkenberger and Maddy Frechette dance during Coronation at the Harrietstown Town Hall Friday. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)