I love every season here in the Adirondacks, but my favorite of all is summer. I love taking my kids to the beach, going out for ice cream, hiking nearby trails, riding bikes, and heading out on a boat to enjoy the lake. I love that it is still light out when we are done having dinner, and the sun is up and ready to go bright and early in the morning.
Many people argue about the true start of summer. If you asked my kids, they would tell you summer starts on the last day of school. Some say that Memorial Day is when it all begins, and I agree that this is a good test run, but for me summer really doesn’t start until the Fourth of July. It’s like one big kick-off party to a few months of sun and fun, and this year you can celebrate our nation's independence for an entire week! Starting June 30 and going right through until July 7, you can enjoy parades and fireworks through all of our little towns.
Speculator: June 30
Kicking things off nice and early this year is the Speculator Fourth of July celebration, which takes place on June 30. Speculator’s highly anticipated, annual parade kicks off at 7 p.m. from the town's four corners. Find your spot anywhere along the road between there and the Speculator pavilion for a front row seat to watch our veterans, classic cars, local clubs and camps, firetrucks (there will even be a pink one this year!), and more file by in a show of patriotism.
Immediately following the parade, head down to the pavilion for live music, food, and bounce houses and games for the kids. You can also check out all of the floats and classic cars that were in the parade. Once the sun sets, find your place on the public beach across the road, lay back, and enjoy the stunning fireworks display over Lake Pleasant.
Long Lake and Raquette Lake: July 4
Join in on the fun in Long Lake by heading to the ballfield for kids games from 10 a.m. to noon. The morning will finish up with an egg toss and a free ice cream for all participants! Spend your afternoon checking out all of the great shops and restaurants that Long Lake has to offer. When 4 p.m. rolls around, head to the public beach for hotdogs and sausages with peppers, all served up by the Long Lake Fire Department. Kids can also get their faces painted by Penelope the Clown. At 6:30 p.m., Grit N Grace will take to the stage with their blend of country, rock, and pop music. At dusk, you can watch the fireworks from the beach.
You can also catch a fireworks show over Raquette Lake. They will launch their fireworks from the barge on the lake, and you can get yourself a front row seat on the WW Durant for only $2 per person!
Inlet: July 4
This year's Fourth of July celebration in Inlet will take place at Fern Park and Arrowhead Park. At 1 p.m., take the kids and head over to Fern Park for the annual Ping Pong Ball Drop. Thousands of ping pong balls will be dropped for kids to collect and exchange for prizes like toys and gift certificates donated by local businesses.
At 7:30 p.m., Jamie Notarthomas will perform at Arrowhead Beach. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the live music while you wait for the fireworks show over Fourth Lake at dusk.
Indian Lake: July 7
Wrapping up the week-long celebration is Indian Lake's Fourth of July celebration. The Indian Lake Fish and Game Club host a Kids Fishing Derby for kids under 16 at Byron Park. There will be free bait, prizes, and food for all participants. The Fish and Game Club will also serve up hamburgers and hotdogs. At 7 p.m. the parade will kick off on Main Street. Immediately after, you can head back to Byron Park for live music by Ed Sokal, followed by fireworks at dark.
However you prefer to kick off your summer, spend some of it here with us! Make your lodging and dining reservations now so you don't miss out on the fun!
This week in Adk news:
Tupper summer music
Meacham Lake's mystery fish
Declare your independence
Lake Placid's summer songs
Bike the bog
Up and away at Whiteface