A summer full of Lake Placid Activities

By Diane Chase

We are not the type of family that just hikes, swims and sails. We enjoy a variety of events and activities. My family has found that each town in the Adirondacks has its own special charm. It can be difficult to decide which activity to attend. Lake Placid has a summer full of events and activities to add to our busy schedule from from live music to mini-triathlons. There is always something to keep our multi-aged family active and outside. 

Here are just a few that I highlight in my Adirondack Family Time™ guidebook, Adirondack Family Time™ Tri-Lakes and High Peaks:Your Four Season Guide to Over 300 Activities (with GPS coordinates)

Songs of Mirror Lake takes place each Tuesday in the newly revamped Mid’s Park bandshell on Main St.  The summer schedule is July 29:Reggae Night with The Alchemystics, August 5: Funk Night with the Lee Boys, August 12: Jamgrass Night with The Deadly Gentlemen. These free, outdoor concerts take place at 7 pm so bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the view of Mirror Lake.  The Lake Placid Sinfonietta hosts its Park Concert Series the next day, Wednesdays also at Mid’s Park bandshell. The last scheduled event for the summer is August 6: “Dancing the Night Away.” The rain location is St. Agnes Church.  (For the trivia buff: Mid’s Park is named, not because of it’s location in the middle of the village, but for Mildred (Mid) Uihlein the person instrumental in saving this bit of green space that has become a central place for relaxation and the arts.) 

Keeping track of Saranac Lake’s History

It isn’t just nature, hikes and water activities that keep me active. It is an overwhelming interest in its vast history. Every summer I try to schedule in one of Historic Saranac Lake’s walking tours. Each Thursday a different section of the Saranac Lake story is unfolded. My daughter joined me last week for a tour around the American Management Association (AMA) property. 

During school she’s learned about the contribution Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau made to the community and was interested to learn more about his influence.

There is always so much more information given on these tours and not enough space to write about it. I learned from Margaret, our wonderful volunteer guide, that the AMA space was originally the Trudeau Sanatorium. Sanatoriums were institutions geared toward those that couldn’t afford the private cure cottages in town.   

Camp Pendragon Theatre presents "Little Shop of Horrors"

Camp Pendragon, in collaboration with  Pendragon Theatre, is hosting a special 

presentation of “the musical "Little Shop of Horrors”" by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Winner of a Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award and Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, "Little Shop of Horrors" has become a cult phenomenon.  

When “a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, starts raising a strange plant that feeds on human blood and flesh he starts becoming famous. Trying to impress Audrey, the woman he loves, Seymour keeps feeding the plant. (The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy of the same name.) Chaos ensues as Seymour must find unorthodox ways to keep feeding his plant. 

 WHEN: July 22 at 7 pm and July 23 at 1 pm

WHERE: Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, NY.

COST: $10 for Adults, $5 for Students

Free Saranac Lake Summer Activities

Summer seems to be going by so quickly. My family is moving in different directions and we barely have time to meet at the end of the day. It is that “end of day” time that I cherish. It is our time to regroup and relax with friends and find out what has unfolded in their busy day. Since being in the Adirondacks isn’t just about enjoying our hikes, walks and waterways, we also want to see familiar faces and an opportunity to unwind in a lovely outdoor setting. Here are a few of our favorites things to do around Saranac Lake.

The Third Thursday Art Walk

The Third Thursday Art Walks are such a mixture of entertainment from live music to outdoor demonstrations. The remaining dates are tonight, July 17, as well as August 21 and September 18.  I enjoy the feeling of camaraderie, as the streets flood with people enjoying all aspects of art and music. In addition to other artists look for BluSeed Studios’ Peace Paper Project demonstration, part of an artist papermaking process. (Kids can sign up for a papermaking workshop that will be held the next day, July 18 at 9 am.) This weekend Saranac Lake ArtWorks has a special Studio Tour planned for July in additional to the regular September 27-28 dates. Hours are from 10 am – 5pm with over 28 artists opening their doors into their inner sanctum to share their creative process.

Tupperpalooza Warrior Run and Music Festival July 19

You don't have to participate in the July 19 Tupperpalooza Warrior Run at Big Tupper Ski Area to join in all the fun, but if you do here is the required information. 

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE!

Individual:

• $50 Before 11:59pm on March 31, 2014
• $55 Before 11:59pm on June 30, 2014
• $60 Before 11:59pm on July 15, 2014 (Online Registration Closes)
• $70 Race Day

Team:. (Today is the last day for online registration)

• $55 per person if registered before 11:59pm on July 15, 2014 (Online Registration Closes)
• $65 per person on race day

Teams can be comprised on 3-10 people. All  members on the team will be eligible to compete as a team and as an individual. If you want to form a team, have your team captain sign up and form the team. Once the team is formed you can invite your friends, family, co-workers to join. Each individual member of the team will be responsible for their own entry fee.

15% Military Discount: for all active and retired military. 

The Tupperpalooza Warrior Run is a challenging 3.5 mile race made up of a mix of intense obstacles, treacherous mountain terrain and lots of mud. Participants can compete individually or as a team. Prizes will be awarded for the top male, female and team. The 3rd annual event will include a music festival following the event.