Queen of the Lake Pro-Am Beach Volleyball Tour packs the beach

Volleyball courts took over the west end of Million Dollar Beach this weekend for the Queen of the Lake EVP Pro Am Beach Volleyball Tournament. Nearly every spot was filled as 95 teams, both amateur and pro, competed during the three-day event, which began Friday, July 14.

Spectators lined the shore to watch the action with some viewing the games from boats out on the lake. Scores were posted live throughout the tourney on the EVP website. This is the first year the EVP Tour, which has been operating since 1994, has made a stop in Lake George.

“Sports are the largest growing market segment in the country,” explains Lake George Chamber Conventions & Visitors Bureau Special Events and Convention Services Director Kristen Hanifin, “with an average growth rate of 10 percent per year and a nation-wide visitor spend rate of $10.47 billion. Working with sports rights holders like EVP is a great way to bring new visitors and economic dollars to our region, while also creating a visually exciting, free event for the public to enjoy,”

Local businesses offered special deals on dining and merchandise for tournament participants. Great Escape Amusement Park reps were on the beach Saturday offering athletes and their families discounted passes to the park. The Great Escape also provided characters and hosted a dance party on the beach. Friday’s Corporate Challenge included games of cornhole hosted by the Adirondack Pub & Brewery.

Hanifin believes the potential for sports tourism in the Lake George Area is unlimited. “…the CVB will continue to work with sporting event organizers such as EVP, as well as our own local venues such as Adirondack Sports Plex, Golden Goal Sports Park, East Field, Gore and West Mountain, and the local parks and rec offices to grow this market in draw more sporting events to the Lake George area year-round.”