To the editor:

This past Dec. 31, we welcomed more than 2,000 people for bands, comedians, a kids carnival, ice skating, art, dance, fireworks and more. North Country New Year was a huge success.

The number of volunteers who organize all this could be counted on one hand. If it’s going to continue, that core group needs to get bigger. Maybe it needs you.

I’m writing today to ask you to help if you can.

I’ve been involved with this festival since 2011, mainly booking performers. It’s wonderful getting to share what you love with the community, so if you love music and other live entertainment, maybe you could join me. If booking doesn’t sound like your thing, we need anyone with a passion for this village to help plan, promote, secure venues, find funding, recruit volunteers, etc. If you think you could help with any of that, go to northcountrynewyear.com and fill out the volunteer sign-up form, or email me at petertcrowley@gmail.com.

Before 2006, there was nothing to do here on New Year’s Eve. Business was so slow that many restaurants closed for the night. Then some locals started First Night Saranac Lake, and suddenly the village was bustling with people of all ages who not only enjoyed great performances but also filled hotels, restaurants and taverns. Yet during the COVID hiatus, I saw the First Night organization flounder due to a volunteer shortage.

Thankfully a new group of folks stepped up in 2023 to revive this community celebration. North Country New Year looks a little different than First Night, but it serves the same purpose of bringing out the community and drawing visitors from far and wide to celebrate New Years’ Eve here in Saranac Lake. We have been successful for the past two years, but it takes people power — more than we have at our disposal right now. Can you help us move it forward?

Peter Crowley

North Country New Year

Saranac Lake