The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the Village of Lake Placid, the Town of North Elba, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority), are hosting a public information meeting to share information about events taking place in 2024. The virtual meeting will take place on March 4 at 5:30 p.m.; pre-registration is required to receive log-in information. Those wishing to attend should visit: lakeplacid.com/events/lake-placid-events-meeting. Officials from each organization will share updates about plans for upcoming events including: the solar eclipse on April 8; the ECAC Men Hockey Championships taking place March 22 and 23; IBSF World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton competition taking place March 21-23; a new event within the region - the UCI Mountain Bike World Series taking place September 27 through 29; and information about the 2024 Lake Placid conference schedule, along with other events taking place throughout the region. According to Mary Jane Lawrence, chief operating officer at ROOST, local partner organizations regularly host information sessions to help with community awareness of upcoming events and regional activities. “We want to help ensure the events contribute positively to the region’s businesses, communities and visitors,” she said. “These conversations are an important part of ongoing event planning and execution.” “Communication is key to our collective success,” states Darcy Norfolk, director of communications, Olympic Authority. “We look forward to these seasonal meetings to heighten awareness and collaborate effectively.”

The Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 with a newly-developed website and a series of events throughout the summer and fall. To celebrate the 100-year anniversary, organizers are planning community events throughout the year along the trail route. They have also developed a new website, planned a series of hiking events, organized trail maintenance days, and planned a number of other community- and organization-based events. Community celebrations have been planned in Northville, Piseco and Lake Placid. The 100-year anniversary celebration kickoff takes place with a three-day event in Northville. The opening ceremony is taking place at Waterfront Park on May 31 at 6 p.m. On June 1, coinciding with National Trails Day, the village, along with local merchants and organizations, will be hosting a community-wide event featuring vendors, food, entertainment and information about the NPT. A trolley will be on-hand to transport visitors throughout the village to various participating locations. The second community event is scheduled to take place in Hamilton County on August 24. The celebration will be held at The Inn on Piseco Lake and will feature live music, vendors, exhibits and activities. Lake Placid is also planning to host an event on September 14 at the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society in Lake Placid. This location is the terminus of the NPT, where those completing the trail are able to sign the official register. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has created a new website, NPT100.com, to share trail information, upcoming events, trail maintenance projects, hiker stories and nearby community information about the hiking route with those planning to hike the trail. Celebration organizers are also supporting a series of additional events throughout the hiking season. The Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake is hosting a special two-year exhibit, featuring information about the history of the NPT, the team that built it, residents along the trail’s route and information about how the trail is used today. The museum will also be offering a series of expert lectures and guided outings along the trail throughout the summer. According to Adirondack Mountain Club Deputy Executive Director Julia Goren, the best way to celebrate the milestone is to focus on the trail itself. “The Adirondack Mountain Club was originally established to increase access to the newly-formed Adirondack Park through trail work and education; development of the NPT was one of the group’s first projects,” she said. “Continuing that work is how we celebrate its existence, ensuring that it remains for generations to come.” The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) will be hosting a series of volunteer projects, offering people an opportunity to take part in trail maintenance alongside experienced leaders. Trail maintenance opportunities include both one-day events and multi-day projects. Other organizations are also planning events and activities to celebrate the milestone anniversary. Adirondack Hamlets to Huts is planning several hikes along the Northville-Placid Trail for those interested in a more immersive experience; the hikes will take part along specific sections of the trail, along with a full-length adventure. Additional information about the Northville-Placid Trail, along with upcoming events and trail maintenance projects can be found at NPT100.com. The Northville-Placid Trail was formed in 1922 as one of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s first projects. Completed in 1924, this 138-mile route transverses the Adirondack Park, from the town of Northville to Lake Placid.

Number of Adirondack visitors will be considerable; significant traffic impacts expected The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has established a helpline in preparation for the upcoming solar eclipse to share information and answer questions that may arise in the days leading up to the event. The dedicated phone line (518-621-3682) is available through April 8, staffed by a team of ROOST employees who will be on hand to answer questions regarding events, viewing locations, safety considerations, parking and other questions that may arise. The number of visitors to the region is expected to be considerable, with area lodging properties and short-term rentals reporting high occupancy throughout the weekend, with most properties at capacity on Sunday and Monday night. Visitors are expected to begin arriving as early as Friday and staying though Tuesday. ROOST is advising local residents to prepare for heavy traffic on the weekend; with a significant to and from the region on Monday. Jane Hooper, communications manager at ROOST, explains how increased visitation will impact local communities. “The Adirondacks lie within the 115-mile wide ‘path of totality’ of the solar eclipse, so many people have decided to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event here,” she said. “We anticipate that those with hotel reservations will likely travel to the region on Saturday and Sunday, but we do not know how many people are planning day trips to the area. The Adirondack Park is within a day’s drive from more populated regions such as Boston, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, so the potential exists for an influx of visitors on April 8.” Traffic on Monday may be heavy and potentially backed up at times, as many may choose to leave the region immediately after the eclipse. “It’s quite possible that many people will make the decision to travel to and from the region on Monday, depending on the weather that day,” commented Hooper. “We are recommending that people stay for the community celebrations, have dinner or to stay overnight whenever possible, rather than leaving immediately after the eclipse to help alleviate potential congestion on the roads.” ROOST is encouraging area residents to be prepared by scheduling errands such as grocery shopping, gas, prescription refills, and other essentials in advance of the weekend to avoid crowds and traffic. “We are encouraging local residents to walk whenever possible and avoid unnecessary driving on April 8,” said Hooper. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Essex and Hamilton Counties, Lake Placid Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is encouraging local residents to be prepared ahead of the eclipse by running errands, ensuring that eclipse glasses are on hand, determining a designated viewing location, and attending local community celebrations taking place throughout the Adirondacks this weekend. To celebrate the eclipse on April 8, the region’s communities and attractions have planned many events and celebrations throughout the weekend. Businesses, area attractions, restaurants, breweries and communities are hosting events and activities on Saturday and Sunday, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the weekend leading up to the main event on Monday afternoon. According to ROOST Communications Manager Jane Hooper, the region’s communities have embraced celebrating the eclipse with events and activities. “This is an unusual spring weekend in the Adirondacks for a couple of reasons,” she said. “Not only will the eclipse be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but it’s also an event that residents and visitors will witness together. It's also poised to be an incredibly fun weekend during a time of year that, traditionally, is rather quiet in our area. It’s a great opportunity for residents to enjoy the activities in their local community - or to explore a community that they don’t often visit.” The region is expected to welcome thousands of visitors throughout the weekend leading up to Monday’s full solar eclipse. Hotels and other rental properties throughout the Adirondack Park report that they are at full capacity ahead of the eclipse, with additional day trippers expected on Monday. With roadways expected to be busy, ROOST is encouraging residents to plan ahead so that they can enjoy the eclipse celebration. “Due to anticipated traffic volumes, we are encouraging everyone to run their errands on or before Thursday,” Hooper said. “Planning in advance allows you to avoid the crowds and simply enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime weekend. Our overarching message is to plan ahead.” One of the most important safety precautions is to ensure that everyone in the family obtains a pair of eclipse glasses, well ahead of arrival at a designated viewing location. These are available at many town halls in the region and will be on hand at many events throughout the weekend. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their eclipse viewing location ahead of April 8th, along with travel plans to and from that location. Those attending community-based celebrations should prepare to arrive early to enjoy the activities and celebration. Those living in close proximity to community events and designated viewing locations may want to consider walking or riding a bike to the event. Many designated viewing locations have scheduled activities that extend beyond the time of the eclipse to help alleviate congestion on the roads; many routes leading to and from the area pass through small towns and hamlets that don't typically experience high volumes of traffic. Many community events will continue into the early evening; officials encourage people to remain at those events, avoiding traffic delays as people leave the area. The anticipated increase in visitors correlates to a significant increase in the number of cell phones, potentially contributing to stress on regional communications infrastructure. Community event planners are encouraging people to download or take screenshots of event schedules, maps, and other local information to their phones before their visit so that they are accessible without needing to connect to the cellular network. “Ensuring that your family has a plan to meet at a particular time and place is also recommended, in case texting or making a phone call proves challenging,” commented Hooper. ROOST has established a dedicated phone line (518-621-3682), available through April 8 and staffed by a team of ROOST employees who will be on hand to answer questions regarding events, viewing locations, safety considerations, parking and other questions that may arise.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has established a contest, rewarding one lucky winner the opportunity to return to the region post-eclipse. People are encouraged to visit the website that ROOST developed to share information about the eclipse (2024-eclipse.com) where they can learn about eclipse-related activities and events taking place throughout the region; while on the site, visitors can also register to win a trip to the region. The trip package includes a two-night stay at a conveniently located and pet-friendly hotel in Lake Placid, two passes to The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, entrance for two at Adirondack Experience - the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, two tickets to the Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hovenberg, two passes to the Sky Flyer Zipline at the Olympic Jumping Complex, two tickets for the gondola at Whiteface Mountain and two passes to Ausable Chasm. According to ROOST Director of Marketing, Michelle Clement, the eclipse is likely to pique travelers’ interest in the area. “It’s likely that many new visitors to the area may be traveling to the region, simply due to the fact that the Adirondack Mountains are in the path of totality,” she said. “We are thrilled that this celestial event is providing an exciting introduction to the region; and we encourage people to consider another visit, to take advantage of exciting attractions and activities. This contest will provide that opportunity for one lucky winner.” One winner will be chosen from all entrants received. The contest is currently open to anyone who visits the 2024-eclipse.com website; it will close at midnight on April 15.