Lake Placid is set to host its annual Fourth of July celebration on Friday, July 4, featuring a lively parade down Main Street, family-friendly activities, and a spectacular fireworks display. The holiday wouldn’t be complete without the ever-popular Fourth of July parade at 5:00 p.m. along Main Street. The parade route begins at the post office on Main Street and ends at the intersection of Main Street and Saranac Avenue. This year’s theme, “The Peoples’ Parade,” celebrates the diverse individuals and organizations that make up the heart of the region. From scout troops and school groups to local businesses, dance teams, neighborhood crews, and creative independents, the parade will showcase the joy, pride, and community spirit of Lake Placid. Parade entries will be announced at Mid’s Park as they pass through, and participants will be eligible for awards in a variety of categories, including civic, volunteer, school, business, independent, and most patriotic. “As we enter the third decade of this beloved tradition, we’re proud to host a celebration that truly captures the heart and spirit of our community,” said Catherine Ericson, ROOST community liaison and member of the organizing committee. “Whether you're marching, dancing, or cheering from the sidewalk, this parade is a chance to come together and celebrate all that makes this region special.” Adding to the day’s festivities is the I Love New York Horse Show, running July 1–6. On July 4, spectators can enjoy world-class hunter and jumper competitions beginning at 8:00 a.m., with classes taking place simultaneously in five separate rings until approximately 5:00 p.m. Capping off the evening, Lake Placid’s Set the Night to Music Fireworks Spectacular will illuminate the skies over Mirror Lake at 9:15 p.m. The music will be simulcast on LAKE FM 93.3 and WLPW Adirondack 105.5; listeners can tune in on their portable radio or download the station apps on their mobile device. The celebration continues Saturday, July 5, with the Star-Spangled Ski Jumps—a high-energy event featuring live ski jumping, scenic rides on the Olympic Jumping Complex Skyride and Zipline, along with family fun including food trucks, games, crafts, and moreFor a full schedule of events and updates, visit lakeplacid.com/events/4th-of-july-in-lake-placid.

The Village of Saranac Lake is set to host its inaugural Cruisin’ 2025 Car Show on Saturday, July 12, transforming downtown Main Street into a celebration of classic automobiles. Organizers are encouraging owners of vintage and otherwise unique automobiles to showcase their vehicles at the event. “We’re inviting car owners from near and far to register and be part of the fun,” said Community Development Assistant, Bayle Reichert. Owners of vintage and unique vehicles who are interested in participating should visit https://www.slareachamber.org/event-details/crusin-2025 or call the Village of Saranac Lake at 518-891-4150 ext. 234 to register. Cruisin’ 2025 will provide a nod to the rich history of automotive culture in Saranac Lake. Reichert explained that the Saranac Lake area has a connection to racing history, with local race enthusiasts who experienced success, as well as one who went on to drive for NASCAR. The area also boasts a once-popular dirt race track on the outskirts of town, a favorite among the race community. “We anticipate that the show will bring together all kinds of cars, and it’s a great way to celebrate our community’s long connection to car culture.” The event will celebrate not only vintage and unique vehicles, but also the people who were a significant part of local racing and car restoration. This includes local legend John Whitney Hawkinson, better known as ‘Hawkeye,’ who was admired for his love of restoration and significant work preserving the village’s vintage firetruck, which the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department now owns. A highlight of the weekend will be the “Then & Now” display of vintage automobile history, presented by Historic Saranac Lake. The event will showcase classic and unique cars, automotive exhibits, local vendors, and live music. Festivities kick off with a Welcome Party at Hotel Saranac on Friday night, featuring performances by Joe Waters and Kiel Love, drink specials, and an exhibition celebrating Saranac Lake’s rich automotive heritage. An award ceremony is being planned for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hariettstown Town Hall, followed by live music by Joe Waters and Michael Rielly at the Waterhole Music Lounge. Attendees will be able to explore offerings from local vendors, including craft beer from Hex and Hop Brewery, cocktails and event-themed drinks from ADK Mobile Bar, lobster dishes from Cousins Maine Lobster, and fresh, seasonal comfort food from Mtn Chef. Car owners who are not able to register in advance will be able to do so based on availability, on the Saturday morning of the event. Vehicle registration will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Main Street parking lot, entering at the St. Bernard’s street entrance. Reichert continued, “Whether you’re showing a vehicle or just coming to check them out, it’s going to be a great day in downtown Saranac Lake.” Visit the Village of Saranac Lake website for additional information about the event, including details on car registration, hotel discounts, and sponsorship opportunities.

The fourth annual Wilmington Mountain Music Fest returns Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Wilmington Ball Park, with music starting at 3:00 p.m. This high-energy, family-friendly event includes live performances, local food and drink vendors, and a strong sense of community spirit. Tickets are available in advance starting at $20, with VIP and family packages also available. More information is available at whitefaceregion.com/events/wilmington-mountain-music-fest. This year’s lineup spans country, rock, and Americana: Being Petty: the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Experience; Crash My Party, a Luke Bryan tribute band; Taylor LaValley, a country artist from the Adirondacks; and Mallory's Bush, a high-energy local group with rock and Americana influences. Returning this year is The Smoke Show, a fire dance performance presented by Scarlet Foxx Entertainment. Exact performance times will be announced closer to the event. Music continues into the evening, wrapping up around 11:00 p.m. “Each year, the Wilmington Mountain Music Fest draws a bigger crowd and more excitement,” said Town Supervisor Favor Smith. “It’s a terrific event, drawing music lovers and families from all over our area and beyond. It’s quickly become a cornerstone of summer in Wilmington and a great way to enjoy the season with friends and family.”All tickets provide full-day access with the ability to come and go from the venue. Paper tickets will be available for in-person purchase at Little Supermarket, Ward Lumber, Twisted Raven, and the Whiteface Visitors Bureau starting in July. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event at the gate for a higher price than pre-sale.Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, umbrellas, or pop-up canopies to ensure their comfort throughout the day. No outside food or drink is allowed; a wide selection of food, beer, wine, and coffee vendors will be on-site. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas.Live music is a feature of summer in the Whiteface Region. Enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Wilmington Town Beach on Thursdays, Black Brook’s River Park on Wednesdays, and the Jay Village Green, or catch indoor performances at local restaurants, bars, and venues. Visit whitefaceregion.com/events for the latest listings.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has released the results of its annual leisure travel study, which showcases visitor demographics, preferred activities, and travel expenditures while in the region. This survey analyzes non-business travel to Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the adjacent communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. According to ROOST Marketing Director Michelle Clement, the organization conducts studies and surveys throughout the year to identify visitor preferences and industry trends. Survey responses provide valuable data, used to implement evidence-based marketing decisions. “ROOST bases marketing strategies and tactics on data and trends to optimize the impact of those efforts,” she said. “This survey provides important insights regarding leisure travelers’ interests and preferences. We analyze the results of all surveys and integrate their findings, ultimately allowing us to develop a thorough understanding of consumer preferences, activity, and expenditures.” Those who visit the region continue to cite outdoor activities as a significant reason for visiting, with 64% of respondents reporting this as a draw. Of those who traveled to the region for outdoor activities, hiking remains the most popular activity (76%), followed by canoeing or kayaking (31%), fishing (17%), boating (14%), and birding (14%). Interest in birding has remained at a level higher than historical averages for the past five years. “Relaxing, dining, and shopping” remained another frequently expressed reason to visit the area by 52% of respondents. Sightseeing (40%) and visiting friends (25%) rounded out the top four areas of interest, consistent with recent years. The 2024 survey also analyzed the impact of travelers on local lodging properties. Hotels and motels remained the most popular overall lodging choice (40%). Short-term rentals accounted for 17% of accommodations. Respondents indicated a small increase in camping: 15% in 2024 vs. 12% in 2023. The survey also asked visitors about their overall trip satisfaction and willingness to recommend the region to friends and family as a vacation destination. Overwhelmingly, respondents indicated that their visit met budget and cost expectations (95%+), willingness to recommend (97.9%+), and desire to visit again (99.6%+). Additional key findings include: The total estimated reported trip expenditure was $1,769, just slightly above the total reported in the prior year ($1,768). The average stay length reported by 2024 travelers rose to 4.1 nights. Responses from the last several years ranged between 3.5 and 3.6-night average stays. Just over two-thirds (67%) of respondents reported being New York State residents, down slightly from 70% last year. Only 5% of visitors reported visiting from states outside the Northeast or Canada (with the highest proportion, 3%, from southern US states). Canadian visitation continued to rebound in 2024, with 4% of visitors reporting from Quebec and 3% from Ontario. This was an increase of 1% in each province from 2023. Sixteen percent (16%) of respondents reported visiting Olympic sites and events as an attraction, consistent with 2023 data. Reported interest in regional events (13%) remained consistent over the most recent few years. According to Mary Jane Lawrence, ROOST chief operating officer, occupancy tax revenue generated by those who choose to stay in hotels, motels, and short-term rental properties directly benefits local communities. “These revenues are used to market the region and also contribute to projects that enhance local communities for residents and visitors, helping to ensure our region’s communities thrive by offering a great place to live and a wonderful place to visit,” she commented. While the overall survey results have been analyzed as a complete package, the results for Hamilton and Essex counties have also been compiled and evaluated independently of one another. Essex County specific findings: Sixty-five percent of visitors (65%) reported that they were New York state residents, which is slightly lower than the percentage reported in the prior year (67%). Northeastern state visitors outside of New York state rose to one out of four (25%) respondents, up from 20% in 2023. Canadian visitation indicates 4% from Quebec and 3% from Ontario, consistent with 2023. The average duration of stay reported by 2024 visitors was 4 nights, which is slightly longer than the percentage reported by 2023 visitors (3.6 nights). Hamilton County specific findings: Less than 1% of respondents reported from Canada. Average stay length reported by 2024 travelers is 4.6 nights, which is higher than the prior year (3.7) and the five-year average of 4.5 nights. Camping/RV continued to be the most commonly reported lodging choice among visitors and increased to one in three respondents (33%). The 2024 Leisure Travel Study can be found at ROOSTAdk.com/research. ROOST collaborated with PlaceMaking, a regional community and economic development research firm, to develop and administer this survey. It was sent via email to a sample of the region’s 2024 leisure travelers, inviting them to complete an online survey. Results were compiled from nearly 15,000 responses. View Report

The Brimfield Adirondack Traveling Antique Show, Flea Market, and Food Truck Rally will take place from Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27 in North Hudson. The event is expected to bring thousands of antique lovers, collectors, and treasure hunters to the small Adirondack village. General admission tickets are available on-site for $10. The antique show begins at 9:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, with early bird entry beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Friday for $20. Tickets provide access to the event for all 3 days. Those 17 and under are free. The event will take place at two locations just off Exit 29 of I-87: Frontier Town Gateway and Hay Fields Antiques and Flea Market. These venues, situated adjacent to one another, offer easy access for visitors traveling from New York’s Capital Region, New York City, Syracuse, Northern New York, and locations to the east. The event will feature hundreds of indoor and outdoor booths filled with antique and vintage goods, along with handmade, recycled, and upcycled items. The event will also feature a food truck rally, live music, and activities for kids. According to North Hudson Town Supervisor Chris Clark, the town is set to welcome those who are heading to the event. “The community is excited about this summer’s Brimfield Antique Show,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for local and regional vendors to take part in such a large event, and for area residents and visitors to experience the largest outdoor antique show in the nation. We hope that people stop and get an ice cream, maybe have dinner, explore the area and really enjoy their visit.” The Brimfield Antique Flea Market has been the premier destination for serious collectors, casual treasure hunters, and those who appreciate vintage furniture and accessories for more than 60 years. Best known for its flagship events in Brimfield, Massachusetts, taking place each May, July, and September, the show attracts tens of thousands of visitors along with some of the most experienced antique and vintage dealers from around the globe. Vendor space is still available. Visit brimfieldliveonline.com for more information.