Lake Placid – The Adirondacks of Upstate New York, with its clean air, pristine waters and no congestion pricing, will be a desired region for vacationers this July 4 holiday.
There will be so many Lake Placid activities to see and enjoy that you might want to extend your stay. In fact, you probably should do it sooner rather than later. What do we mean? Here goes.
The Lake Placid and I Love NY Horse Shows started June 27 and run for two weeks. Now in its 54th year, the shows are billed as “the best two weeks of a horseman’s life.” Competitions are scheduled from Tuesday to Sunday (Mondays are rest days) and are held in the hunter and jumper rings. They are scheduled from early morning until 5 PM. Sunday’s exciting Grand Prix events should not be missed.
Located at the North Elba Show Grounds on Route 73/Cascade Road, you can purchase day passes at nominal charges. Tuesday activities are free. Admission Wednesday through Friday is $8 for adults, $10 on weekends. Youngsters 12 and under are welcomed free of charge each day.
It is not uncommon to see U.S. Olympic Team horses and riders battling each other at the site of the 1980 Opening Ceremony.
Lake Placid Figure Skating Championships June 30-July 1. The event that began in 1957 is now back for its 65th renewal. The championships are hosted by the NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority and sanctioned by US Figure Skating through the Skating Club of Lake Placid.
Watch singles and pairs skaters from youth to senior level athletes in the Olympic Center on Main Street in Lake Placid. The site is just a 10 minute walk from the Mirror Lake Inn taking you through one of our business districts.
Ticket prices start at $18. Purchase yours here.
The Star Spangled Ski Jump on July 2 at the Olympic Jumping Complex is a summer tradition in this two-time Olympic village. Summer jumping events date back to a time when lake ice was stored at the end of winter just so summer ski jumping could take place. The ice would be hauled out of storage, placed on the hill and crushed by workers to enable the competition.
Fast forward to 2023. After a massive state infusion of funds, men and women train and compete on artificial surfaces that are created to emulate snow. The end result is an event that sees these high flyers achieve distances that are equal to winter events.
At this annual summer meet, you can grab a bite from food trucks, join in lawn games, participate in a water balloon relay and win fantastic prizes.
Gates open at 9 AM. Tickets are priced at just $10 for adults, $5 for juniors and seniors.
The July 4 parade and fireworks are two local holiday spectacles witnessed by thousands annually. The parade begins at the Olympic Oval at 5 PM and proceeds up Main Street to the intersection of Saranac Avenue.
Many local clubs and organizations create unique floats. Bands are entertaining. You’ll see Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty on stilts. Local political figures, pining for your support, throw candy in the crowds along Main Street. Fire and rescue squads also participate as do our Olympians who train here in the off season.
The fireworks, commencing at 9:45 PM over Mirror Lake, are held in conjunction with Lake FM and its Set the Night to Music theme. There are numerous vantage points to enjoy this patriotic show. Just make sure to get your spot early.
Lake Placid Sinfonietta’s season debut in Mid’s Park is set for July 6. Known as the Orchestra of the Adirondacks, the sinfonietta performs free of charge.
The program this summer is titled Magic in the Mountains, and is directed by Stuart Malina. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for these performances that begin at 7 PM.
Other dates for the Park Series are July 12, 19, 26 and August 2 and 9. The sinfonietta has a full summer schedule, bringing their collective talents to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, The Wild Center in Tupper Lake and Tannery Pond Center in North Creek.
So there you have it – a packed holiday schedule that, in some cases, extends well beyond July 4.
While you are outside enjoying our beautiful Adirondack Mountains, we hope you’ll have time to experience some of the aforementioned schedule.
(Photos provided)