The Town of Newcomb invites residents and business leaders throughout the region to the grand opening of its new community center on Saturday, May 24 at 2:00 p.m. Local officials are expected to be on hand to officially open the building and welcome the community. The celebration will include live music, food, kids games, and activities. The Town of Newcomb began construction of the community center in 2024, after originally being delayed due to the COVID pandemic. The 4,850 square-foot building will house the welcome center, along with the Parks, Recreation, and Events office. It boasts a commercial kitchen for the Essex County Office of the Aging Senior Meal Program, shared office space that can be used by businesses, local organizations and community members, meeting rooms, and a large community room that can be used for public meetings, events, and training. According to Newcomb Town Supervisor Robin Deloria, the building’s completion is expected to enhance the community while introducing travelers to attractions and amenities in the central Adirondack region. “This is a very long-awaited day,” he said. “I have no doubt that the building will quickly become the center of local, and regional, activity in Newcomb, hosting many of our important activities and organizations. I’m encouraging everyone to stop by and celebrate with us on Memorial Day weekend.” The new building is located on Route 28N in Newcomb, with convenient access for those traveling between I-87 and Newcomb, while being centrally located for community members. The Community Center joins a growing constellation of facilities in this centralized area, including the health center, museum, rescue squad, Lilbern Yandon Recreation Park, High Peaks Golf Course, and Overlook Park - offering an expansive vista that showcases the view of the southern High Peaks, a natural and popular stopping point for visitors to the region.

Celebrate Paddling ADK, the Adirondacks’ annual festival honoring the region’s vibrant paddling culture, will return in May 2025. Beginning in late May and extending through early July, this celebration invites locals and visitors alike to experience more than a month of on-the-water adventures, community gatherings, and outdoor exploration. The festival kicks off with the ‘Round the Mountain Canoe and Kayak Race—hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)—on Saturday, May 10. Events will continue through July 6, taking place throughout both Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, with a wide variety of races, guided trips, themed paddles, and educational opportunities for all ages and experience levels. Festival highlights include weekly evening paddles, “canoe-to-brew” outings—where paddlers travel to local cafés and breweries for post-paddle socials—and a community river cleanup that emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship. These events create meaningful ways to connect on and off the water. Another key event is the Adirondack Paddling Symposium, scheduled for June 13–16. Designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers, the symposium offers immersive instruction across multiple disciplines, including kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and pack boating. The festival concludes with the historic Willard Hanmer Races on July 6, a beloved tradition that brings the paddling community together in celebration and friendly competition. “Celebrate Paddling ADK reflects the spirit of community and adventure that defines the Adirondacks,” said Kenzie Marine, Saranac Lake regional manager at ROOST. “We’re excited to welcome both residents and visitors to discover the unique beauty of our local waterways.” Founded in 2016, Celebrate Paddling ADK was created through a collaborative effort among local businesses and organizations passionate about preserving and sharing the region’s paddling heritage. Partners include the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters, MAC’s Canoe Livery, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, Raquette River Outfitters, Guide ADK, Northwest River Supplies, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST). With a broad range of activities, from races to educational talks and family-friendly outings, Celebrate Paddling ADK truly offers something for everyone. Full event details and the complete schedule are available at celebratepaddlingadk.com.

The Whiteface Region of Upstate New York is set to welcome athletes and outdoor enthusiasts this June with a lineup of exciting race events. The Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike and Foot Races, the Wilmington Whiteface Mountain Bike Race, and the Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run are all on the calendar for the month. “These races are a fantastic way to highlight everything Wilmington has to offer,” said Colin Loher, director of the Whiteface Region Visitors Bureau. “It’s a chance to experience the community’s warm hospitality, explore our rugged terrain and expanding trail networks, and take in the stunning Adirondack scenery. This is one of the most dynamic times of year to be here.” The race season kicks off on Saturday, June 7, at 5:30 p.m. with the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike and Foot Races, followed on Sunday, June 8, by the grueling Wilmington Whiteface 100K and 50K Mountain Bike Race. The Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run caps off the month on Saturday, June 21. Starting in the heart of Wilmington and finishing at the summit of Whiteface Mountain—the Adirondacks’ fifth-highest peak—the uphill bike and foot races span eight miles, mostly along the scenic Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The steady 8-percent grade and total elevation gain of 3,500 feet make this a thrilling challenge with spectacular 360-degree views from the top. Cyclists start at the Whiteface Region Visitors Bureau, while runners begin just up the road at the junction of Routes 86 and 431. Finish lines for both races converge near the mountain’s summit. More than 300 cyclists are expected, including a few crowd favorites tackling the climb on unicycles. Details and registration are available at WhitefaceRace.com/bike. Runners are encouraged to pack warm clothing for the finish, as temperatures atop Whiteface can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than at the base. Backpacks can be loaded into a summit-bound vehicle. Learn more or sign up at WhitefaceRace.com/run. On Sunday, June 8, the Wilmington Whiteface 100K and 50K Mountain Bike Race—nicknamed “The Beast of the East”—returns to test riders with a mix of rugged backroads, flowing singletrack, and serious climbs. The race starts and finishes at Preston Memorial Field and features a mix of rugged backcountry roads, stretches of flowing and smooth singletrack, and plenty of climbing. Riders will explore remote Jeep roads near Jay and Saddleback mountains, along with technical stretches of singletrack through the Hardy Road Trails and Blueberry Trails. The route stretches from Wilmington to Elizabethtown and back, connecting two premier mountain biking hubs in the Adirondacks. Finishers receive a medal, athlete gift, and post-race meal at the celebration. Multiple aid stations along the route will keep riders fueled and hydrated. Visit WilmingtonMTB.com for more details. Later in the month, the 8th annual Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run brings a spirited twist to race day. On Saturday, June 21, at 9:30 a.m. at Preston Field, the Wilmington Historical Society's fundraiser includes a 5K and 10K race, followed by a lively festival. Runners and visitors alike can enjoy whiskey tastings, food vendors, live music, craft booths, history displays, raffles, and more. The festival pays homage to Wilmington’s colorful past—including its role supplying rye whiskey to American troops during the War of 1812 and harboring bootleggers during Prohibition. More recently, the town was home to US Barrel, a cooperage for whiskey barrels. Whether conquering mountain roads, tackling tough trails, or raising a toast to local lore, the Whiteface Region’s June events offer something for every adventurer. Registration for all races is now open. Visit WhitefaceRegion.com or call the Whiteface Region Visitors Bureau at 518-946-2255 for more information.

The Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds continue its renovations as part of a major effort to enhance the competition experience for riders, horses, and spectators. Many of the upgrades are expected to be completed ahead of the 2025 season. These upgrades mark the first phase of a broader three-year improvement plan aimed at reestablishing the Lake Placid Horse Shows as one of the premier equestrian events in the country. “This is a very exciting time for the Lake Placid Horse Shows,” said Lori Martin, LPHS executive director. “We expect competitors and spectators to be very happy with these improvements.” The transformation includes a redesign of the facility, a new all-weather Grand Prix ring, new hunter rings and expanded warm-up arenas offering premiere competition rings for all weather conditions. In addition to the show rings and warm-up area enlargements, renovations also include enhancements to the stabling area and a newly designed vendor area set to debut in the summer. According to Martin, these improvements ensure optimal performance conditions, along with increased safety, for both human and equine competition participants. “Most of the best U.S. and European facilities have employed this footing system with great success. It provides for a very flat and safe course,” she said. “With the installation of that same system in Lake Placid, our venue is now on par with those facilities; elevating the prestige of the facility, ensuring optimal performance conditions for all participants, and allowing Lake Placid to attract the most prestigious national and international events.” The annual Lake Placid Horse Shows offer an unmatched backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains, along with family-friendly activities both on and off the showgrounds. Riders of all levels, from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans on Grand Prix mounts, will now have the opportunity to compete at an upgraded facility designed to accommodate world-class performances in any weather condition. Now in its 56th year, the Lake Placid Horse Shows will return to the North Elba Showgrounds from June 24 – July 6, 2025. The event will feature two weeks of elite equestrian competition, with more than $700,000 in prize money at stake. Among the many highlights of the upcoming shows, the newly upgraded Grand Prix ring will host top-tier show jumping events, including an FEI CSI 3* competitions, further elevating the prestige of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.LPHSA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. Further information is available by calling the Lake Placid Horse Shows at 518-523-9625 or online at www.lakeplacidhorseshows.org.

Communities across the Adirondacks are inviting residents and visitors to take in the sounds of summer at a wide array of free outdoor concerts, beginning in June and continuing throughout the summer. Held at scenic venues throughout the region, these events showcase a rich mix of musical talent and create memorable moments in the heart of the Adirondacks. Many of the venues are set alongside the region’s lakes and rivers, making them easily accessible to boaters, adding a splash of adventure to the experience. Scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening, the concerts also offer prime views of Adirondack sunsets—a perfect backdrop for a picnic and some live music. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to settle in and soak up the scene. With genres ranging from folk to jazz and everything in between, summer concerts offer something for every musical taste. These performances are more than just entertainment—they provide meaningful opportunities for local artists to gain exposure and play in front of a live audience. Residents benefit from the community-building atmosphere, while visitors get to experience the culture and charm of Adirondack life in a laid-back, open-air setting. Sydney Aveson, communications coordinator for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, says, “Outdoor concerts are one of the best parts of summer in the Adirondacks. They bring people together in beautiful places and highlight the vibrant energy of our communities. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there’s nothing quite like listening to live music as the sun goes down over the water.” The region offers other opportunities to enjoy live music outdoors, in addition to the scheduled concert series. Third Thursday Art Walks in Saranac Lake, held monthly from June through September, fill the village streets with music from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Crown Point: The Music in the Park concert series will be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., July 10 through August 14. Jay: JEMS Music on the Green / at the Amos & Julia Ward Theatre each Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m., beginning in May. Indian Lake: The Music in the Park concert series takes place on select Saturdays at 7:00 p.m., beginning July 19. Inlet: The Sunsets by the Lake concert series happens Saturday nights at Arrowhead Park from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., starting July 5. In case of rain, the show will move to Fern Park Pavilion. Lake Placid: The Songs at Mirror Lake music series runs every Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in July and August at Mid’s Park Bandshell on Main Street. The Lake Placid Sinfonietta Park Series also takes place at Mid’s Park on Wednesdays from July 9 to August 13. Long Lake: Music by the Lake takes place at the Long Lake Town Beach on Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., beginning July 11. Newcomb: Bands on the Beach takes place on Wednesdays through the month of August at the Newcomb Town Beach. Saranac Lake: Enjoy Music on the Green at Riverside Park bandshell by Lake Flower on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Hotel Saranac’s Downtown Music Series takes place at Berkeley Green on Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., followed by an indoor concert at the Great Hall Bar from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Northern Current Community Music Festival takes place at Riverside Park on August 31 from 12:00 to 9:30 p.m. Schroon Lake: Celebrate over 50 years of live music at the 1936 bandstand overlooking the lake on multiple nights each week from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. In case of rain, concerts move to the Boathouse Theater. More info at schroonlakearts.com. Speculator: The Music on the Point series begins July 9 and runs on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Osborne Point, next to the Speculator Public Beach. Ticonderoga: Beginning July 8, the Ticonderoga Festival Guild presents its summer concert series Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion. Tupper Lake: The Summer Sunset Series at Flanders Park runs each Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., starting July 7, along the shores of Raquette Pond. Westport: The Ballard Park Summer Concert Series takes place on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., offering spectacular views of Lake Champlain. Wilmington: Free live music on Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wilmington Town Beach, also known as Lake Everest. The Wilmington Mountain Music Festival is set for July 26 from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Wilmington Ball Park—tickets are on sale now. Music is part of many summer experiences. In addition to these community concerts, many of the region’s farmers’ markets also feature live performances, adding extra fun to weekly outings and shopping trips. Visit AdirondackHarvest.com for a full list of farmers markets in the Adirondacks.