Labor Day is usually quiet in Lake George. The busy holiday weekend wraps up with visitors heading home to get the kids back in school and prepare for winter. Beaches that only a week earlier were covered with sunbathers are empty. Local shops roll away the racks of colorful sundresses and swimwear.
Autumn comes early in the Adirondacks, and hints of fall color begin to tint the landscape in early September. The sound of music lifting from lakeside decks is replaced with the rustle of autumn leaves; the steady hum of traffic along Canada Street becomes the distant honking of wild geese flying south.
This peace and quiet lasts for about four days; then the Adirondack Nationals Car Show roars into town. That marks the start of the fall season. The Lake George Fall 2017 calendar is filled with music festivals, harvest events and a slew of activities that will keep things hopping into November. Here’s our roundup of events coming to Lake George this fall:
Adirondack Nationals Car Show
Sept. 7 – 10, 2017
Fort William Henry Hotel
Hosted by Albany Rods & Kustoms, this gathering of 1,500-plus classic cars, muscle cars and custom street rods is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Lake George. The 2017 show brings VIP guest Dave Kindig, star of “Bitchin Rides.”
A highlight of the car show is the Night Cruise, when registered vehicles parade in a continuous loop through Lake George Village Friday and Saturday, 7 – 10 p.m. Be sure to stick around Saturday night for the 10 p.m. fireworks over the lake.
Fall Restaurant Week
Sept. 10 – 16, 2017
For seven days, participating Lake George area restaurants offer prix fixe menus that include appetizer, entrée and dessert for $20.17 (excludes beverages, tip and tax.) The Lake George Chamber of Commerce has already begun posting menus. Check back regularly for updates. This is a great opportunity to taste Lake George’s gourmet offerings.
“The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby”
Sept. 14 – Oct. 21, 2017
The Lake Theatre at Holiday Inn
Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s work makes its Lake George premier on the Lake Theatre stage this fall. “The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby” tells the story of what happens when uptight investment banker James Bell’s meets the folks at Kooshog Lake during their legendary fishing derby.
The Lake Theatre is a dinner theatre offering a gourmet meal before the show. Visit the Lake Theatre website for tickets and meal selection.
Lake George Jazz Weekend
Sept. 16 & 17, 2017
Shepard Park
For more than 30 years, the Lake George Arts Project has brought an eclectic lineup of jazz musicians to the Lake George shore. This year’s Jazz Fest is billed “A Tribute to Jazz Innovation.” Performances begin at 1 p.m. both days. The festival is free; donations are appreciated. Visit the Arts Project website to view the lineup.
Lake George Skate Competition
Sept. 16, 2017
Lake George Skate Plaza
The Lake George Skate Plaza, adjacent to Wood Park Festival Commons, is holding a skateboard competition. Enter Jam/Best Trick competitions to win products and gift cards or bring a chair and watch. Prizes donated by Zumiez. Event runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hemmings Concours D’ Elegance
Sept. 15 – 17, 2017
This “Contest of Elegance” brings collector-quality cars to the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons. This is the 11th annual Hemmings Concours D’ Elegance, but it will be the first time this celebration of automotive history has been held in Lake George (previously, the event has been held in Saratoga Springs.) Classes include Full Classics, Pre- and Postwar American, Pre- and Postwar European, American Muscle Cars, Preservation and Vintage Trucks. Tickets are available online. Spectator admission is free for active military in uniform.
King George Fishing Derby
Sept. 15 – 17, 2017
The 3rd Annual King George Fishing Derby has multiple junior and adult divisions with more than $15,000 in prizes. Registration for the 2017 Derby will be at the American Legion Post on Route 9L in Lake George, 4 – 8 p.m. Entry fee is $50.00 for adults and $30 for juniors. All entrants receive a free t-shirt and admission to the awards ceremony.
Fishing begins Saturday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. and continues Sunday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Boats may launch at any site with weigh stations available at the Hague boat dock, Roger’s Memorial in Bolton Landing and the Village’s public docks in Lake George. Access brochure here.
Lake George Steamboat Co. Family Fun Fest
Sept. 23 & 24
Deuce Moose Café
The Lake George Steamboat Company is celebrating its bicentennial with a family-friendly festival at the Deuce Moose Café on Beach Road. The event includes live music, face painting, magic, bounce houses, inflatable obstacle course and a farmers market. Saturday night fireworks shoot off over the lake beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 24, 2017
Wood Park Festival Commons
The Legendary Southern rock band is bringing its 45th Anniversary Tour to Lake George. New York City-based Country Fresh opens the show with pop country music followed by popular local band Skeeter Creek. Advanced General Admission tickets are only $20 available online at Eventbrite or paper tickets at the Village of Lake George Town Hall, Fire & Ice Bar & Grill, and King Neptune’s Pub. General Admission ticket price increases to $30 day of the show. VIP packages are available.
World’s Largest Garage Sale
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2017
The action is centered in Warrensburg, five miles north of Lake George, but activity spills down Route 9 into the Village. What started decades ago as a way for residents to clean out their attics has morphed into a bargain-hunter’s dream. More than 500 vendors and local residents set up sales. Food vendors and entertainers create a carnival atmosphere. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors each fall.
New for Garage Sale 2017: The Adirondack Pub & Brewery will be setting up a Bier Garden at the Merrill Magee House (smack in the center of town by the bandstand.) Live music, food truck, draft beer trailer, games and more. Free entry.
Village of Lake George Oktoberfest
Oct. 6 – 8, 2017
Shepard Park
Columbus Day Weekend is a big block party in Lake George! The section of Canada Street in front of Shepard Park is closed to traffic to make room for a beer garden. The annual Village Oktoberfest is a kid-friendly event with live music, Bavarian food, carnival rides, games, craft and food vendors and the Adirondack Pub and Brewery’s beer wagon. Admission is free.
Hours:
Friday, 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, noon – 10 p.m.
Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Adirondack Pub & Brewery Oktoberfest
Oct. 14, 2017
Enjoy craft beverages, Bavarian food and polka bands at the Adirondack Pub & Brewery on Canada Street. Ticket price includes Oktoberfest sampler stein, food voucher, unlimited sampling of beer, wine and cider, entry into games and contests. Ticket proceeds to benefit the Ben Osborne Fund. This is a 21+ event. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
Lac du Saint Sacrement Fundraiser Cruise
Oct. 15, 2017
Lake George Steamboat Company
The Lake George Steamboat Company is closing out their bicentennial season with a cruise to benefit the Lake George Teen Center and Nico’s House. The two-hour cruise includes a pasta buffet, Caesar salad, hors d’ oeuvres and dessert station. There will be entertainment, a cash bar and silent auction. Boarding begins at 3:30 p.m.; sailing 4 – 6 p.m. Online tickets are available here.
Pumpkin Chunkin
Nov. 4, 2017, 1 – 5 p.m.
Adirondack Pub & Brewery
Bring your rotting Halloween jack o’ lanterns to the Adirondack Pub & Brewery and let them fly from giant slingshots and catapults. This is the second year for this event, which drew several hundred last fall to aim their gourds at presidential election-themed targets. The brewery’s draft beer trailer and food truck will be on site along with a DJ playing tunes. Bon fires around the grounds will you warm. Admission is free.
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