Get updates on maple season in the Adirondacks, check out fun announcements regarding fairs and amusement parks for this summer, and browse more tidbits to know. If you’re looking for events coming up this weekend into next week, scroll to the bottom.
Your ADK News to Know: 7 Significant Updates
Get Ready for a Marvelous Maple Time This March
Although the New York State Maple Weekends and Thurman Maple Days have officially been cancelled, many individual farms are still offering samples, activities, and more to some capacity. Black Rooster Maple in Keene, for instance, has a self-serve, open 24/7 maple cabin you can check out. Get more details on their operations and what some of the other farms are up to here.
And if you really want to dive into maple production, Paul Smith’s College is gearing up for a “School of Maple” series with free, hands-on workshops for those looking to get into the industry. There are three workshops during the first three Saturdays in March on Introduction to Sugaring, Advance Sap & Syrup Processing, and Marketing & Expanding Your Maple Business.
This is the Last Week for Public Skating at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites
If you haven’t made your way over to the Olympic Speed Skating Oval or Herbs Brook Arena yet this year this weekend would be a great time to do so. February 28 marks the last day of skating season due to construction at the Olympic Center. You can find the full schedule here: https://lakeplacidolympicsites.com/todo/ice-skating/
An Adirondack County Fair Has Announced Dates!
This is of course pending upon the continued decrease of COVID-19 cases, but the first Adirondack county fair of 2021 has officially been announced: The Clinton County Fair is being planned for July 27 to August 1.
In the works for this year: a midway with amusement rides and games; a “Wall of Death” throwback attraction with daredevils, motorcycles, and go-karts; truck pulls, tractor pulls, monster trucks, and a demolition derby; live entertainment, including children’s shows; 4-H livestock exhibits and other agricultural components; and what we can only imagine will be an incredible food scene.
Hopefully more county fairs will follow suit – stay tuned! We will update the events calendar as soon as information becomes available.
Amusements Parks Are Set to Open in 2021
Speaking of summer fun, major amusement parks like The Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury and Enchanted Forest Water Safari that did not open in 2020 will do so this year. This exciting news follows the Governor’s recent announcement that amusement parks can reopen at 33% capacity starting on March 26.
The Great Escape has already announced their reopening plans in great detail. Enchanted Forest Water Safari posted on Facebook that they’re planning to reopen in mid-June and are super excited to introduce their three new rides (that were supposed to be revealed in 2020).
Adirondak Loj & High Peaks Information Center Are Open Once Again
We reported last week on the closure of the Adirondak Loj and High Peaks Information Center – they have now reopened, according to the Adirondack Mountain Club, as of February 22. Check them out at their Lake Placid location to rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, microspikes, and more.
Participate in the Jackrabbit Rally, Help Keep Trails Maintained
The Jackrabbit Rally started on January 21 and goes until March 21. You register online for $35, ski anytime between now and March 21, post on social, share your route, and get a tee-shirt. Proceeds go towards maintaining Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) trails, like the Jackrabbit Ski Trail.
Register at: https://www.betatrails.org/jackrabbit-rally.html
Attention Birders: Now Is a Great Time to Spot Bald Eagles
The DEC recently posted a hot tip: winter is one of the best times to see eagles in New York State, with concentrations peaking in January and February – and this weekend marks the end of the month! Get tips on how to spot the magnificent birds of prey here.
Events Throughout the Adirondack Park (And Online)
It’s exciting to report there are many upcoming in-person and virtual events, from guided snowshoe hikes with the Adirondack Mountain Club to the Lake Placid Film Festival’s Virtual Filmmaker Series.
Upcoming/Ongoing In-Person Events:
- Can/Am Lake Placid Adult Pond Hockey Tournament (Tentative): February 26 – 28
- Frozen Fire & Lights in Inlet: February 27
- Ski to Pharaoh Lake: February 27
- Saturday Snowshoe at Up Yonda Farm: February 27
- Cheney Pond and Lester Flow Hike: February 27
- Hague Fish & Game Fishing Tournament: February 27 to 28
- North Creek Restaurant Week – To Go: through Saturday, February 27
- Whiteface Mountain XC Ski: February 28
- Long Lake Winter Wonderland Bingo: through February 28
- Clear Pond, John Pond Hike: March 4
- Frontier Town Snowshoe: March 4
- Ski to Puffer Pond: March 4
- Wild Lights at The Wild Center: through March 27
Upcoming/Ongoing Virtual Events:
- BOW in the Snow Workshop – Ice Fishing: today (February 25)
- Lessons in Loon Music From the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation: February 26
- Fort Fever Series: Four Divisions Formed at Fort Carillon: February 27
- Craft Get-Together With the Old Forge Library – Felt Shamrock Pin: March 3
- North Country Live – Managing Recreation in the High Peaks: March 4
- ZoomFest – A Celebration of Short Plays From Lake Placid Center for the Arts: through March 26
- Lake Placid Film Festival Virtual Filmmaker Series: through March 31
Sources:
- The Sun Community News: Clinton County Fair set to return in 2021
