These local women dressed up as the Go-Gos, from the rock band’s “Vacation” album cover, for last year’s 1980s-themed Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Gala Parade. (Enterprise photo — Lauren Yates)

SARANAC LAKE — Applications for parade performers looking to participate in the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Gala Parade are now available online at www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com. Applications can also be picked up at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 39 Main St.

The Winter Carnival will take place from Feb. 3 to 12 and feature a “Roman Around Carnival” theme. The Gala Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11; there will be trophies awarded for floats and walking units in six different categories (Business, Civic or Volunteer Group, Youth Group, School Group, Independent Group and Animal Unit) as well as the Louis Fobare Trophy for Best in Parade.

Parade participants are encouraged to start their planning now. Entries are rated on the following: theme (matches “Roman around Carnival”), sound system, live music, choreography, costumes, float decoration, creativity and unusual item.

Completed parade applications should be emailed to Winter Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch at jkbranch@roadrunner.com, dropped off at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce or mailed to the Winter Carnival Committee at P.O. Box 829, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, no later than Feb. 5.

“We encourage people to get their applications in early so they can join the festivities of Winter Carnival,” Branch said.

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, formally known as the Society for the Preservation of Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers dedicated to planning, presenting, and preserving an annual mid-winter festival. This 10-day, community-wide event traces its roots to a one-day Winter Carnival held in 1897 by the Pontiac Club. For more information, visit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival website at www.saranaclakewintercarnival.info.