Communities throughout the Adirondacks invite residents and visitors to participate in a variety of fall events at venues across the region. They range from fall harvest festivals and outdoor sporting events to craft fairs and cultural celebrations. These events provide opportunities to enjoy the changing season and participate in community gatherings. This year’s schedule is more diverse than ever. Music festivals, craft fairs, and competitive races are among the highlights, along with classic fall events like harvest festivals and car shows. Running and canoe races, for those who love a challenge, offer another chance to compete before the winter season. And, of course, no fall season would be complete without harvest festivals, car shows, and festive events that bring the community together. ​​Sydney Aveson, communications coordinator at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, explains that community events provide another way to celebrate the region during a beautiful time of year. "These events offer great ways to celebrate fall in the Adirondacks,” she said. “The stunning fall colors and fun local events provide a number of opportunities to connect with others. They enrich the experiences of both residents and visitors, bringing people together to celebrate our local communities." Mark your calendars and plan to celebrate fall in the Adirondacks. Below is a list of events happening throughout the region: Lake PlacidTrails End Celebration - Northville-Placid Trail 100th Anniversary Event: September 14UCI Mountain Bike World Series: September 27-29Flaming Leaves Festival: October 12-13Lake Placid Film Festival: November 7-10Adirondack Health Turkey Trot: November 28 WilmingtonBETA’s Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival: August 30-September 1 Oktoberfest: September 21-22 WestportAdirondack Harvest Festival: September 21 TiconderogaFallFest and Fireworks: September 28Heritage, Harvest, and Horse Festival: October 5MoriahMiners Machines & Michigans Cruise In Car Show: October 6Hunter Way Farm Fright Nights: October 25-27 Crown PointPenfield Homestead Museum’s Applefolkfest: October 13 NewcombTeddy Roosevelt Weekend: September 13-15 North Hudson Handlebarley Gravel Weekend: September 14-15 Schroon LakeAdirondack Marathon Distance Festival: September 21-22Fall for Schroon Festival & Car Show: October 19 Saranac LakeNorthern Current Music Festival: September 1The 90-Miler - Adirondack Canoe Classic: September 6-8Festival for People with Disabilities: September 7Adirondack Loon Celebration: October 13Bitters & Bones Turkey Trot: November 28 Tupper LakeThe 90-Miler - Adirondack Canoe Classic: September 6-8Tupper Lake Triad Challenge Race: September 7ADK Bark in the Park: September 15OkTUPPERfest: September 28 10th Annual Fall Craft & Vendor Fest: October 5Erin Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot: November 28 InletOne Square Mile of Hope: September 14Inlet Fall Festival: September 21-22Adirondack Day: October 4-5 Blue Mountain Lake Blue Mountain and Indian Lake Rustic & Artisan Street Fair: September 6-8Adirondack Experience Rustic Fair: September 7-8Adirondack Experience Fallfest: October 6 Indian LakeBlue Mountain and Indian Lake Rustic & Artisan Street Fair: September 6-8Town of Indian Lake Adirondack Antiques Show and Sale: September 11-17 Great Adirondack Moose Festival: September 27-29 Long LakeThe 90-Miler - Adirondack Canoe Classic: September 6-8 SpeculatorSpeculator Bear and Wine Fest: September 21Oaktoberfest: September 29

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is debuting its newly developed weekly foliage report, beginning in mid-September. The report, emailed weekly to those who request it, will provide information about fall foliage in the Adirondacks. The weekly report will indicate which areas are beginning to experience color change, which are in transition and which are approaching peak color. Generally speaking, the timing of peak fall foliage follows the landscape, with trees at higher elevations showcasing their bright colors first. The most abundant color begins in September throughout the higher elevations, with the lower elevation mountains and valleys in the Adirondack Park reaching peak sometime in mid-October. According to ROOST Communications Manager Jane Hooper, people are often eager to learn about the timing of peak color. “While it is challenging to predict, we often say: ‘fall begins in the Adirondacks,’ with the colorful display typically beginning in late summer and early fall, due to the region’s high elevation and cool temperatures,” she said. “One of the most often-asked questions we receive is about the timing of peak fall foliage. This report provides easy access to that information each week, so that travelers can plan their visit to coincide with the incredible fall scenery.” The Adirondack Park is located within a day’s drive of 25% of the entire North American population, making it a popular fall destination for hiking, paddling, leaf-peeping excursions or other outdoor activities. The weekly fall foliage report, based on data gathered throughout the Adirondacks, is assembled and delivered directly to those who have requested the weekly update. Many tourism-focused organizations across New York provide similar accounts each week to the state, tracking peak foliage throughout the state. ROOST’s weekly foliage report uses the same reporting method, while focusing on the Adirondack region, specifically. These reports will be delivered beginning in mid-September, continuing through mid- to late October. Those wishing to sign up for the weekly emails can do so by visiting: www.adirondacksusa.com/foliage-email.

The Northville-Placid Trail 100th anniversary celebration culminates with an event on Saturday, September 14 at the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society (the History Museum) from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. The afternoon will feature music, food, educational displays and children’s activities. The trail’s end event, organized by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), will offer family-friendly activities led by a number of local organizations. Displays and background about the history of the Northville-Placid Trail will be presented by the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society. Representatives from Adirondack Mountain Club, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Adirondack Experience - The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will provide information about outdoor adventure in the Adirondacks. Guests will be able to enjoy children’s crafts with representatives from the Olympic Museum and face painting by Pipsqueak the Clown. The DEC Mobile Education Center will also be on-hand to share information about the Leave No Trace Principles Set forth by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and championed by many partners within the Adirondack Park. These principles are embraced and practiced by many outdoors enthusiasts, ensuring that the wilderness will be preserved for generations. According to ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence, the event is expected to celebrate the trail’s history, while introducing the unique hiking opportunity to a new generation of hikers, "Celebrating the Northville-Placid Trail's 100th anniversary is a unique opportunity to honor a century of adventure, community, and the enduring connection between people and the Adirondacks,” she said. “This trail has been a gateway to the wilderness for generations, and marking this milestone allows us to reflect on its rich history and inspire future explorers to continue the journey." A highlight of the afternoon will be an appearance by Smokey Bear, one of the world’s most recognizable characters, who reminds people about the importance of their role in preventing wildfires and by extension, caring for the wilderness. Smokey Bear is celebrating his 80th birthday in 2024. The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in US history. Rounding out the afternoon’s celebration is live music by Austin and the In-Laws, the “North Country’s Premier Post-Outlaw Country Band.” Waffle Cabin will be offering a number of delicious treats and beverages. A number of local and regional breweries will also be showcasing their products with free beer tastings. Lawrence explained that collaborating with local organizations and businesses that support outdoor adventure in the region is the best way to celebrate the milestone. "The Northville-Placid Trail, one of the oldest in the United States, was originally established to increase access to the newly-formed Adirondack Park," she said. "By partnering with the region's outdoor adventure organizations, attractions, and numerous local businesses, we are committed to highlighting the trail, preserving its legacy, and ensuring it remains a cherished experience for generations to come.” Earlier this year, ROOST 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. The Northville-Placid Trail was developed in 1922 as one of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s first projects. Completed in 1924, this 138-mile route traverses the Adirondack Park, from the town of Northville to Lake Placid.

Essex, Franklin and Hamilton Counties lead the boost in spending The New York State Governor’s office released its annual Tourism Economic Impact Report, which analyzes the economic impact of tourism throughout New York state. The Essex County and Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) officials have reacted to the Adirondack-focused section of the report which includes Essex, Warren, Franklin, Hamilton, Clinton and Lewis counties. The 2023 NYS Tourism Economic Impact Report, compiled by Tourism Economics, showcases significant statewide gains over the then-record-setting numbers from 2022; far surpassing the highest numbers achieved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Adirondack-focused section of the report indicates that the Adirondack region has experienced significant increases in economic benefits generated by tourism. Direct visitor spending increased by 6.6% overall with especially strong growth in Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties. Essex County experienced an 11.2% jump in visitor spending, followed by Franklin County at 7.2% and Hamilton County at 6.7%. Direct spending contributes to indirect impacts throughout the region such as business-to-business spending, employment and other fiscal contributions related to the tourism industry. It also positively impacts tax revenue generated within the local counties. According to ROOST CEO Dan Kelleher, the report’s findings underscore the vital role that tourism plays in the region’s economy, particularly in sectors like lodging, food and beverage, retail and second-home spending. “Tourism is a major driver of employment and tax revenue across the region, generating over 44% of all labor income in Essex County and 37% in Hamilton County, ” he commented. “ROOST supports the local economy through tourism promotion; by encouraging visitation, we are directly impacting the numbers of visitors and how they spend their vacation dollars while within the region,” he said. “ROOST is consistently pleased with the results of this annual survey. This most current report indicates that spending is up across the board with an exceptional 11.2% increase in visitor spending in Essex County, along with market-beating results in Hamilton and Franklin counties.” The Adirondack-focused section of the report outlined the following key findings: Visitor Spending: The Adirondacks experienced $2.3 billion in visitor spending, a 6.6% increase from 2022. Spending was spread across multiple sectors, with 46% on lodging (including second homes), 21% on food and beverages and 13% on retail and services. County Breakdown: Essex County led the region, representing 39% of total visitor spending. Essex County also saw the highest growth in visitor spending, with an 11.2% increase compared to 2022. Visitor spending increased 7.2% in Franklin County and 6.7% in Hamilton County. Tourism Employment: The Adirondacks supports 19,844 jobs related to tourism, accounting for 18.2% of the region's employment. Tourism employment was particularly significant in Hamilton and Essex counties, where it constitutes 44.4% and 37.3% of all jobs, respectively. Tax Revenue: The tourism industry in the Adirondacks generated $268 million in state and local taxes in 2023. Were it not for tourism-generated tax revenue, the average household in the Adirondack region would have to pay an additional $2,447 to maintain the same level of government revenue. Economic Contributions: Tourism in the Adirondacks generated $576 million in direct labor income and $894 million in total labor income (direct, indirect, and induced impacts). The sector’s influence on local economies is significant, especially in counties like Essex, where 44.2% of total wages come from tourism-related activities. According to Essex County Board of Supervisors Chair Shaun Gillilland, the report’s findings support the investments made by Essex County with regard to marketing, events, infrastructure and downtown development. “Tourism is vital to our local economy with more than 44% of wages in Essex County generated by tourism-related activity,” he said. “Our robust tourism economy helps with many initiatives that support the county's communities.” ROOST uses research, conducted throughout the year to identify visitor preferences and industry trends, to inform and plan various marketing initiatives, and assess the impact of marketing initiatives over time. According to ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence, this offers important information for both planning and assessment of marketing initiatives. “Our team reviews industry trends, visitor surveys and data collected while visitors are in the region and uses that information when developing marketing campaigns, messaging and specific tactics; the work is incredibly data-driven,” she said. “This economic impact study showcases the results of our work - increases in visitation and spending during their stay. A 6.6% increase in visitor spending across the Adirondacks is incredibly significant.” Tourism Economics’ expertise includes tracking visitor spending, employment impacts, and fiscal contributions related to tourism. Key data sources include surveys from Longwoods International, lodging performance data from short-term rentals, and employment/wage data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2023 Adirondack Economic Impact Report can be found at ROOSTAdk.com/research.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is seeking feedback from residents and business owners within Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the villages of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, regarding their perception of how tourism affects the region. The survey will be distributed to business owners and local residents through email and social media; with responses collected throughout October. A link to the survey can be found here. The survey will capture business owners’ and residents’ perceptions and opinions about a number of topics as they relate to tourism within the region. The goal of the survey is to gather insights from locals about how tourism influences both the economy and the social fabric of the region. According to ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence, the organization is committed to continuously enhancing processes and expanding its scope of work to foster communities that benefit from the tourism economy; it conducts and analyzes tourism- and recreation-focused research to inform its efforts. “ROOST is focused on creating a sustainable tourism economy that is beneficial economically, socially and environmentally,” she said. “We actively seek community input on a regular basis to assess our efforts, measure success, and identify opportunities for ongoing improvement. Understanding local sentiment is key to balancing tourism's impact with community needs. This annual survey helps identify areas of concern, allowing us to manage tourism more effectively and plan for the future.” The survey will uncover local perception regarding tourism’s relationship to housing, employment, population, and the impact of marketing to outside regions. It will also pose questions that elicit information about which local residents appreciate the benefits of the local tourism economy with regard to local services, business success, job creation and overall quality of life. Many questions are structured to elicit an “agree” or “disagree” response to gauge overall opinion. The final survey questions are open-ended, offering an opportunity to share important information that may not have been included within the survey. According to Layne Dowdall, data analyst at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, ROOST is hoping that as many local residents will complete the survey as possible. “Overall community sentiment is more easily gauged by a larger sample size; quite simply, if a large number of people complete the survey, that will provide a much more accurate idea of community sentiment,” she said. “We are encouraging those who receive the survey link to share it with family and friends in their local community.” The 30-question survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Those who take part will be registered for a chance to win a VISA gift card, valued at $100.