The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is winding down this weekend. The Gala Parade and closing fireworks are today and events will continue on Sunday, but the reign of the current carnival king and queen, Ricky Sullivan and Liz Murray, will continue until new royalty is crowed at next year’s Coronation.

There’s much to say about Sullivan and Murray. They exemplify everything that makes the spirit of the Winter Carnival so pervasive in Saranac Lake culture and so long-lasting.

They are both woven into the fabric of this community. They bring people together and invite people in, spread happiness, rather than close others out. They both frequently donate their time, emblematic of the volunteerism that makes things happen here. Both have a passion not only for sports and recreation but for what those things mean to those who live here and those who visit.

Murray, who works as the Enterprise’s circulation manager and serves on the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, was a member of the Winter Carnival court in 1977. That’s where she learned what volunteers do.

“Winter Carnival is what we all live for in the winter,” Murray told Staff Writer Aaron Marbone for a story in our Feb. 3 issue. “It’s for locals, but tourists love it, too. … This is where the community pride comes out and you really see all the volunteerism. I think growing up in Saranac Lake planted the seed for volunteerism.”

Sullivan has volunteered for a variety of organizations and clubs. He’s worked for 25 years with the Special Olympics and the Empire State Games.

“Let me put it this way. If we didn’t have a good Saranac Lake community, none of this would have been possible,” Sullivan told the Enterprise.

Although the Winter Carnival festivities are coming to an end, we’re glad to know that our king and queen will carry the spirit of Carnival throughout this year and beyond.