Canadian Visitors Welcomed in Lake George, NY

People may wonder why Lake George, NY has its Main Street called "Canada Street". For those generations of travelers who plied RT 9 from NYC to Montreal they understand the reason all to clearly. Decades ago, before the major interstate highway system was installed, Route 9 served as the major artery connecting New York City to Montreal. Families who shared ties in both locations used Route 9 as their primary travel route. Route 9 goes right through the heart of Lake George Village and stands even today as a perfect mid-way point on the travel route. For decades, weary travelers would stop in Lake George or use this destination mecca as the mid-way meeting point to reconnect with family and friends and enjoy a vacation together. Canada Street, Lake George's main artery is reminiscent of those times and still provides a fantastic array of restaurants, hotels and motels, lakeside attractions and shops.

Do you have some stories about traveling from NYC to Montreal? Please share them with us on our blog!

To welcome visitors from Canada, the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce initiated several special programs in recent years. Their Canadian Friendship Week centers around the Victoria Day long weekend which preceeds the American's Memorial Day weekend. The week features special entertainers and welcome characters like Georgie and Jacque--chamber mascots who greet visitors in the village. During Canadian Friendship Week, local businesses dress out their Canadian Flags, staffers wear Canadian/USA flag pins, and marquee signs on Canada Street businesses welcome their Northern friends. The special programs continue with the annual issuance of a Canadian Bienvenue Discount Card which is provided free-for-the-asking to any Canadian resident. The Lake George Regional Chamber and CVB provide this exclusive program which currently offers over 30 businesses who provide discounts when the card is shown. Discounts range from special rates at hotels to BOGO offers at local shops. If you are a Canadian resident there are several ways to get your own personal discount card. You can request one from the chamber's website at http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com/ or email directly to Bienvenue@lakegeorgechamber.com . The card will come with a complete up to date listing of discount offers.

There is plenty of reasons to visit Canada Street in Lake George Village....our red carpets are out to all visitors...but during May...its the "red and white carpet" that is out to remember and commemorate why Canada Street...is called "Canada Street"!

Adirondack Winery in Lake George, NY-1st year anniversary!

On April 17th, 2008, Adirondack Winery & Tasting Room opened its doors to the public for the very first time. Now, one year later, the Lake George “micro-winery” is heading into its second season with more hand-crafted wines and a positive outlook for its business in 2009. Looking for something unique to do this weekend??? check out the special anniversary events the Adirondack Winery is having at their store on Canada Street.

Make it a point to attend one (or all) of Adirondack Winery’s Anniversary Celebration FREE wine tasting events--see their website for dates and times.

Also going on in our beautiful Lake George and Adirondack region are the following special events:

Fri/Sat/Sun

North Country Home & Remodeling Backyard Expo at the Glens Falls Civic Center, Friday- (4-8 PM), Sat (10AM-7PM), Sun, (10 AM-4 PM)

Saturday, April 18th ONLY:

Cabin Fever Guided Hike at UpYonda Farm in Bolton Landing

Walk Around the World with World Awareness Children's Museum-City Park in Glens Falls-Sacavenger Hunt with a Twist.

Sunday, April 19th ONLY:

Closing Lecture & Reception! Thomas Chambers (1808-1869) at The Hyde Collection, world famous art museum and historic mansion in Glens Falls.

Check out www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com and click on our events calendar for tons of special events for the entire year!

Spring is coming to the Lake George/Adirondack Region

Spring is trying to arrive to the shores of Lake George, NY! The "ice-out" happened a few weeks ago and shop keepers and resort owners can be seen scurrying around their businesses in preparation for opening of the spring/summer season 2009.

Meanwhile, there are still some wonderful things happening leading up to our busiest times of the year. This coming weekend there will be a SUNRISE SERVICE atop Bear Mountain at Gore Mountain Ski Resort just about 20 minutes northwest of LG Village.

During school break (april 14-17) there will be a VACATION ART SCHOOL at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. What a great way to turn your 2nd -6th grader into the next Picasso!

Up Yonda Farm in Bolton Landing has a myriad of fun, outdoor educational and recreational programs going on so please check them out--especially if you are looking for things to do when the kids are home on school break.

April 19th is the "SPRING ROAST" hosted by the Lake George Arts Project. The event is a fundraiser, and is being held at The Adirondack Pub & Brewery in Lake George. There will be live music and a major raffle of a chainsaw carved wooden bear (you know you want one for your own!) like you see donning so many quintessential ADK establishments! check out the LGAP for more information and tickets by calling 518-668-2616. Tickets are discounted if purchased before 4/17.

Check out the www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com website for a complete listing of special events for the whole year and the whole region!

Are you planning a trip to the Lake George Region? Let us know and we can send you some great coupons and info!

Bands N' Beans in Lake George NY

Its that time of year! Bands N' Beans is returning to The North Country in upstate New York's Adirondack mountains. The snow is still plentiful, and it was -5 degrees this morning when I left Bolton Landing headed for work in Lake George today!! What a GREAT TIME FOR CHILI!!
Bands N' Beans is a fun-loving event held annually by The Lake George Arts Project as one of their major fundraising events. Proceeds go to support the many free concerts the LGAP host during the summer months in Shepard's Park. Having attended several years of this event I will tell you that no where can you sample such a fantastic array of homemade chili's from literally dozens of restaurants, caterers and private chefs. The concept is great...purchase a ticket to get in and then go from table to table (and back as many times as your belt notches will allow) and fill up on chili ranging from Venison Chili (Yup, one of the outdoor sportsman's clubs hosts that booth) to Vegetarian Chili's. But not to be missed are the live bands that play throughout the entire event! Reggae, Blues, Rock n roll, its all here... so come on...shake off your cold winter chills and get with some chili...bands and beans! Event is March 8th from 2-7 PM.

Lake George NY Winter Carnival Every Weekend in February

WINTER CARNIVAL ARRIVES IN LAKE GEORGE, NY!

Mother Nature has been more than kind to the Lake George, NY Region so far this winter. With multiple snowfalls of the beautiful "white stuff" and plenty of thick ice on the lakes---the region is a winter adventurer's paradise. In fact, I was enjoying lunch with a collegue today and could not help but notice the parking lot was equally shared by patrons who drove in to the establishment in cars and those who came via their snowmobiles! Check out www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com for events happening all over the region!

Winter Carnival kicks off this weekend, Feb 7th & 8th and will continue for every weekend in February. Volunteers and business people from throughout the area have worked very hard to bring a well rounded and event-filled weekend for all ages. Here is the schedule for this weekend:

Saturday, February 7th

12 Noon- Opening Ceremonies at Shepard Park Beach

12:30 PM- Outhouse Races on Lake George. Yup...that's right--Outhouses. You gotta see it!

12-2 PM- A Children's Petting Zoo in Shepard Park as well as a small historical encampment

12-2 PM- Chicken Wing Cook Off in Shepard Park

Giant Ice Slide in Shepard Park

Sunday, February 8th

11-2-- Chilly Willy Winter Activity Day in Battlefield Park (various childrens activities)

12-8 PM Lake George Blues Blast Benefit at Duffy's Tavern ($)

12-3 PM- Corinth Snowshoe Club Demonstrations in Shepard Park

Looking ahead to next weekend....

• AMA Sanctioned Motorcycle Races on frozen Lake George



• Snowmobie Poker Run (time TBA)



• Fireworks on the Ice

and lots more....

Watch our blog every week for coming schedules for Winter Carnival!

Many of the Shops and Restaurants in Lake George Village will be open weekends for Winter Carnival. Thank you in advance for coming to visit us during Winter Carnival Time in the Lake George Region....and THANK YOU MOTHER NATURE!

(photo by L. Duffy)

First Day Plunge Dips into Frigid Temps

Since moving the ADK's and the Lake George Region I have really come to appreciate the hearty souls that live in this region. Their ability to thrive in a not-so-easy area (both economically and environmentally) should be commended. This past week in Lake George village, on New Years Day was proof of this tenacity. Hundreds of brave souls took a dip in freezing Lake George when temperatures struggled to try to get above 10 degrees! (it was - 5 at my house in the morning). Kudos to all who participated (many from near and far away places) to do this great winter homage!

Driving from Bolton Landing to Lake George this weekend my husband and I did see that the bays along the west side of the lake are showing ice...hopefully this trend will continue so that the Winter Carnival Committee can have all their great special events on the ice during the weekends in February. (More about winter carnival in future blog updates).

Snowmobiliers and skiiers have been very happy these past few weeks in the North Country. Skiing at West Mountain and Gore are in full speed ahead mode and only less than 28 minutes either direction from Lake George. DEC opened up the road to the summit of Prospect Mountain just opposite our chamber office on RT 9 in Lake George and i did see several snow mobilers making the pilgrimage. It's an awesome view from the top of the mountain and the several overlook sites. Also handy is the Stewarts Gas Station and Super 8 Motel that are at the base of the driveway (Super 8 even has snowmobile parking areas). Makes gas-ing up and overnighting really easy for snow mobile lovers. Speaking of Gas prices...it sure is nice to see $1.66 per gallon again!

Watch for updated news on the 09 Elvis Festival, Winter Carnival and more being posted soon! Let me know if there are topics you would like to see covered in our chamber blog. We would love to hear from you anytime!

North Country Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour, Lake George Region, NY

The Lake George Regional Chamber is announcing the last chance to peak inside 15 Adirondack Bed & Breakfasts in the Lake George Region of Upstate NY during special tours this weekend. This weekend, Dec 6 & 7, fifteen Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers have decorated their inns in holiday finery, will put out goodies and refreshments and await your visit to tour their lovely properties. The event, being sponsored by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce features North Country B & B's including Victorian Gingerbreads, historic farmhouses and secluded Log Cabins. Tickets have been on sale for a month, but there is still time to take yourself (and perhaps a good friend or "best friend") on a fun filled weekend self-guided tour! Tickets are available for sale at the chamber office from 9 AM-10:30 AM on Saturday, Dec 6th only (cash or check). However, each participating Bed & Breakfast also has tickets available at their door. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for Seniors/Students. Tickets are required to tour each of the 15 properties. Ticket holders may visit over the two days of the tour. Tour hours are; Saturday, Dec. 6th from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, Dec. 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit local Habitat for Humanities Programs. The tour is a wonderful way to get decorating ideas, restoration and holiday decorating ideas and to see inside some of Washington, Warren and Saratoga Counties most beautiful Bed & Breakfasts! Check out the event website at: www.lakegeorgechamber.com/bbtour for more details and a complete listing of the properties on tour. Once again, its not too late to go on the tour--just make a trip to the closest B & B on the tour and purchase your ticket. You will be given complete information and driving directions to all the inns on tour by a gracious innkeeper. The best part is...if you visit at least 9 of the 15 inns on tour this weekend you will be able to register to win a FREE weekend get-away at one of the inns of your choice! Visit www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com/bbtour for details.