Adirondack Family Activities: Ticonderoga Art Treks

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Seagle Colony presents "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"

By Diane Chase

Twenty-nine years and still going strong, the Ticonderoga Festival Guild continues to provide weekly children’s programming under the name Arts Trek. Each Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m. Ticonderoga Arts Trek holds court at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion, behind the K of C Hall on Montcalm, for anywhere from 200 to 250 children.

According to Executive Director Cathie Burdick the program name Arts Trek originated in the 80s and is an anagram of the then popular TV show Star Trek.

“Someone came up with a clever name and it stuck,” Burdick laughs. “ The first program of the season started last week and we have five more to go. We have a lot of new programs. We also have four evening programs but really wanted to keep the focus on the free children events.”

“We think introducing kids to the arts will bring them a life long enjoyment. It is relaxing to watch a live performance. Some of the adults that attend the evening performances remember coming when they were young,” says Burdick. “We know it has made an impact. Even though the programs are fun and free, each one has a hidden impact. We have a puppet show about bullying. The Seagle Colony comes and that is a great way to reach children about opera.”

This week, July 13, Ticonderoga Arts Trek will feature Henry Lappen who uses interactive masks to demonstrate distinctive characteristics in birds. Lappen, and his masks will have audience members soaring like an eagle, stalking like a heron or swimming like a puffin.

Burdick says,” On July 27th Bob Bloom will have the whole audience participate with percussion instruments.  We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union and Stewarts Shops for sponsoring the whole festival.”

On July 20th  look forward to Seagle Colony performing an opera of “Billy Goats Gruff. August 3rd  brings Vermont’s earth-friendly interactive group “Swing Peepers” and on August 10th  the Antigravity Show with Mr. Fish.

For more information about Arts Trek call the Ticonderoga Festival Gid at 518-585-7015.

© Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) available online or bookstores/museums July 2011. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in the four book series of Adirondack Family Activities.

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