Paul Post
By Paul Post
Thousands of motorcyclists roared into Lake George recently for Americade, ushering in what promises to be an extremely vibrant summer tourist season.
The highly anticipated June 30 opening of Shepard Park’s new performance stage is expected to be a major attraction, with events every day of the week.
But first, the next big event on tap is the 10th annual Adirondack Wine & Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, at Charles R. Wood Park’s Festival Commons.
“We host over 120 wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries and artisan food trucks,” said Sasha Pardy, Adirondack Winery and festival owner. “In the first year we had 40 vendors and 2,500 attendees, generating 3,300 room nights with a $374,000 economic impact. This year we expect 139 vendors and 6,000 attendees for a $3.5 million impact.”
“Over the last 10 years the economic impact is more than $21 million, with 50,000 attendees and 43,000 room nights,” she said. “We’ve also donated $117,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Soroptimists and SUNY Adirondack Foundation.”
Tourism, largely centered around Lake George, is one of Warren County’s three main economic drivers, along with health care and a combination of manufacturing and small business.
Local officials discussed trends and new summer season features during a recent virtual Media Day hosted by the Lake George Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “This is a place for people to reconnect, recharge and spend time together at a welcoming getaway that’s safe, affordable and experience driven,” said Gina Mintzer, chamber executive director. “We have boat rides, campgrounds, concerts, small shops, beautiful lake views, hiking and all types of events.”
The $6 million state-of-the-art performance stage replaces a former band shell destroyed by an early morning electrical fire on June 30, 2024. The new venue, rising from those ashes, will open exactly two years from that date.
“I can’t stop being excited about it,” Mayor Ray Perry said. “We’ve taken it so much further than ever imagined before. It’s going to be a performance stage like no other, in the most beautiful spot in the country.”
A committee of performers, architects and acoustic engineers helped design the facility after visiting some of America’s most famous outdoor music venues, such as Red Rocks near Denver.
The roof overhangs a 46-foot-wide stage, 35 feet deep, and a clamshell-shaped window in back allows spectators to see the lake and boaters to look in. A basement area has an art gallery, conference room and space for performers to warm up.
“Performers will be able to do what they do better,” said Tanya Tobias, Lake George Arts Project executive director. “We’ve opened a million doors to what could occur in this space. It’s on par with anyplace in the country that offers free access. It will bring people together for experiences and memories they’ll take home with them, and hopefully bring them back.”
A Wednesday concert series, hosted by the Arts Project, features national acts with performers from New Orleans to Boston. It begins July 1 with Eastbound Jesus, a roots-driven Americana band blending high-energy bluegrass, country soul and rock ’n’ roll grit.
There’s an eclectic lineup from solo performer Grainne Duffy, an Irish guitarist, singer and songwriter, on July 15, to the highly popular Ghost Town Blues Band on July 29 and Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra on Aug. 12.
The season ends with the 42nd Jazz at the Lake, Sept. 18-20, one of the Northeast’s premier jazz festivals that brings together talented musicians from throughout the U.S. It is ranked as one of the top 20 longest consecutive-running jazz festivals in the country, and it is one of only two spots in the top 20 that are entirely free.
Cruise boats are among many favorite Lake George attractions, and Caroline Boucher, of Waterfront Hospitality, said the 115-foot tour boat Adirondac is expected back in service this summer with the same look and feel after catching fire Dec. 8. The firm also operates the Horicon and owns the waterfront Lighthouse Grill.
Katelyn Moskos is owner and CEO of Northern Living NY, which has a portfolio of 1,600 luxurious vacation home rentals in and around Lake George. The firm strives to provide concierge-type service for overnight guests by referring them to various restaurants and family-oriented attractions.
“When they call we’re able to put a package together,” she said. “Hotels and motels are wonderful, but people want to be together and have that personalized experience, whether it’s kayaking, coffee by the lake, chatting by a firepit or having dinner together with a private chef so they can walk away from their trip with memories. We work hard at trying to improve the guest stay and experience. Making people happy while they’re here builds tourism and jobs.”
Great Escape amusement park is under new ownership this year, following its sale by Six Flags to Kansas City-based EPR Properties. Marketing Director Jennifer Mance said considerable infrastructure and landscaping improvements have been made, parking fees have been reduced and guests will have more affordable food options, too.
Similar upgrades have been made to Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, which “is important to us because it supports year-round tourism in Warren County,” Mance said.
“We know that when families visit Great Escape they’re also staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping at The Outlets or in Lake George,” she said. “Our goal is to continue being a strong tourism driver while giving families more reasons to visit, stay longer and return again and again.”
Lake George visitors also are encouraged to experience much of what Glens Falls has to offer in arts, including The Hyde Collection; culture, including the Adirondack Theatre Festival; and special events, said Stephanie Ottino, Queensbury Hotel sales and marketing director.
She also is a board member of the Glens Falls Collaborative, which sponsors activities such as Glens Falls FitFest, June 20 in City Park, and Take a Bite, held from 5 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday for six weeks beginning July 8, when downtown eateries offer samples of their favorite menu items for a small fee.
Park Theater hosts a diverse lineup of music, comedy and community events in summer, too. “We’re giving people more reasons to head south and explore beyond just Lake George,” Ottino said.