SAVE the Lake Fest returns to Shepard Park this weekend

The 4th Annual S.A.V.E. the Lake Festival kicks off this Friday, Aug. 5, in Shepard Park. The three-day festival features live music, arts and craft vendors, a beer, wine and food tent hosted by Fire & Ice; bounce houses, a petting zoo and pony rides. The event is a benefit for the S.A.V.E. (Stop Aquatic inVasives from Entering) the Lake Partnership, which works to prevent invasive species from entering Lake George through the mandatory boat inspection and boat-washing program. Funds raised by the partnership support boat washing stations that ensure boats are free of harmful hitchhikers before launching into the Queen of American Lakes. There is no cost to boat owners for this service.

Friday evening’s entertainment begins at 4 p.m. with Jonathan Newell’s Meet the Mockers tribute band taking the stage. Popular dance band Grand Central Station follows at 6p.m.

Friday’s lineup is part of the Fridays at the Lake Bands and Brews concert series. Although these concerts are free, organizers are requesting a $10 donation to support the S.A.V.E. the Lake program. Each day of the festival is $10. A weekend pass is $25. Admission is free for children younger than 16. In addition to entrance to the festival area, a $10 donation gets patrons a Festival t-shirt. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday with the following lineups.

 Saturday, Aug. 6

• 1 p.m. – Stony Creek Band
• 3:30 p.m. – Bluz House Rockers featuring Trish Anderson
• 6 p.m. – Groovin, A 60s–70s Musical Journey

Sunday, Aug. 7

• 12 p.m. – Jonathan Newell Band
• 2:30 p.m. – Audiostars

The first SAVE the Lake Festival was held September 2013 and was spread between Shepard Park and Beach Road at Blais Park. That year, the festival raised $23,000 for the S.A.V.E. the Lake Partnership. In 2014, the Festival was moved to the Charles R. Wood Park Festival Commons as the American Music Festival for the Lake. It was the first event held at the new venue and drew a crowd of 2,500. The 2015 Save the Lake Fest was also held at the Festival Commons. Its date was moved to July to attract summer vacationers and featured the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra and a day of tribute artists.

The American Music Festival for the Lake continues as a September festival that is in addition to the summer Save the Lake Fest. This year’s American Music Festival is scheduled for Sept. 24–25 and headlines the 70s supergroup Blue Oyster Cult.