American Music Fest to return with two stages, poker and Blue Oyster Cult

The American Music Festival for the Lake is returning to Wood Park Festival Commons Sept. 24 and 25 for two days of non-stop live music. This is the third year for the Festival, which has the distinction of being Wood Park’s inaugural event. New this year is a second stage and a charity poker tournament, a benefit for the S.A.V.E. Lake George Partnership.  Organizers have booked the 70s supergroup Blue Oyster Cult to headline Saturday night.

“Our first two editions were the number one and number two most successful music fests in Wood Park,” organizer Robert Millis told the Lake George Examiner yesterday. “… if the weather cooperates, this one will be the biggest. I think our choice of a big-time classic rock act like Blue Oyster Cult nails the local market well, and our low Sunday price will outdo Sundays of the past.” Blue Oyster Cult is best known for its hits (Don’t Fear) the Reaper, Burning for You and Godzilla.

The 2016 incarnation of the American Music Festival has a slight change to its Day 2 format. In prior years, Sunday had been Country Sunday, featuring national and local country acts. This year, Sunday’s lineup offers a mix of Americana and jam-rock. General admission tickets, when purchased in advance, are $25 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday. Online tickets are available with no fees at Universe.com. A $5 per ticket discount is available on tickets purchased at King Neptune’s Pub in Lake George or at Bailey’s Café in Saratoga.

The price of admission increases by $10 for tickets purchased at the gate, if available. The Festival has already sold out of its $100 VIP tickets, which included a donation to the S.A.V.E. Partnership, front-row seating, backstage passes and after party.

With a mission to expose kids to “how music used to be played,” the festival is admitting children younger than 16 free of charge (they must be accompanied by an adult.)  “We want this to be affordable for families, and we want kids to see real music,” says Millis. A children’s adventure playground and the Lake George Skate Plaza are adjacent to the Festival Commons, offering additional recreational activities (skateboards are allowed at the festival.)

Several dozen vendors, offering food, beverages and merchandise will be on site both days of the festival. Organizers have expanded the beer and wine selections with an emphasis on locally produced wines and craft brews. In keeping with the family-friendly theme, organizers say food and beverage prices will be reasonable so as not to strain family budgets.

New for the 2016 edition of the American Music Festival is a charity poker tournament hosted by Free4All Poker Tour of Saratoga Springs. On the Saturday of the festival, the Northeast part of the grounds will be dedicated to the tourney, which begins at 2 p.m.

Play is open to all ability levels and is limited to 80 entrants. A $20 ($25 at the gate) donation to S.A.V.E. Lake George gets players a seat. Poker tournament participants are not required to purchase festival tickets, and they may bring guests to observe at no charge. For more information, and to enter the tourney, visit the Autumn Poker Fiesta Facebook event page here.

This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine. Attendees are advised to bring a blanket or chair for seating. VIP tickets are available for an extra charge. These tickets give holders access to chairs set up directly in front of the stage. At this time of year, the Village of Lake George suspends parking meter enforcement making parking free on streets and public parking lots surrounding the venue. For more information and band bios, visit the American Music Festival website.

American Music Festival for the Lake 2016 lineup

Saturday Rocks, Sep. 24

Main Stage
12:30 p.m. – Let’s Be Leonard
2:00 p.m. – Super 400
3:30 p.m. – Johnny A.
5:00 p.m.  – Blue Oyster Cult
Side Stage
11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. – Doctor Magnum
3:00 & 4:30 p.m. – Ramblers Home

Sunday Jam, Sept. 25

Main Stage
Noon – Tigerman WOAH
1:30 p.m. –  Barika
3:00 p.m. – Gratefully Yours
4:30 p.m. – Ryan Montbleau Band
Side Stage
2:30 & 4:00 p.m. – Sly Fox & the Hustlers