Editor’s note 11/25/20 2:20pm: Christmas in Warrensburgh (scheduled for next weekend) has been cancelled. However, the Holiday Wreath Sale, the Limited Edition Ornament Sale, and a few other events will still take place. See here for details.
With Thanksgiving this week holiday events start this weekend! Check out what’s happening in the Lake George area with the holidays and more news to know about below.
Lake George *Will* Be Festive This Year! Here’s What’s in Store
Holiday Festival of Lights (a walk-thru event)
Holiday cheer and social distancing come together for the Holiday Festival of Lights, a safe and fun way to kick-start the holiday season. Similar to Lite Up the Village (cancelled for 2020) or the Capital Holiday Lights that takes place in Albany, the Holiday Festival of Lights will feature colorful light displays depicting various holiday scenes.
About 20 area businesses and other organizations have planned light displays, along with snacks and hot beverages at the Lake George Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park. The displays will include prime selfie opportunities, including a vintage station wagon that will bring out those Christmas Vacation vibes.
This event will take place over four weekends and starts this Saturday, November 28. Tickets are $5 to walk through (with a maximum of 50 people allowed for each 40-minute time slot) and proceeds go towards charitable organizations in the region.
North Country Festival of Trees (free this year!)
The North Country Festival of Trees is still slated to take place at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls this Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28. Here’s what’s different this year: there are no special events, admission is free, and of course COVID-19 guidelines are in effect.
Looking Ahead: Christmas in Warrensburgh (yes, with an “h”)
We can look forward to another celebratory Christmas in Warrensburgh, spelled as such to honor the Warrensburgh Beautification Committee, which goes by the former spelling of the town. (Fun fact, the “h” was dropped on May 9, 1894.)
The event takes place December 4 to 6 and is themed around “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” – hope it snows! Click through to the event listing for details on their special holiday wreath sale and their limited edition ornament.
See more holiday events in store >>
See What’s New in Lake George With Updates on an Algal Bloom & More
Here’s a Rundown on the Harmful Algal Bloom Situation
You may have seen the phrase “harmful algal bloom,” or HAB, pop up on your social media feeds and in headlines recently. Several have reported on the situation and the DEC sent out a press release.
Here’s what to know: Earlier this month Lake George had an outbreak of cyanobacteria, a blue-green bacteria that is naturally present in nearly all waterbodies, but can become a problem when the bacteria starts to multiply quickly. This is what creates the bloom. As they multiply, they can create toxins in the water.
Fortunately, no such toxins were found; a bloom can be labeled harmful without being toxic. HABs are rare this time of year, however, it’s possible they can occur throughout fall and into the winter. So while this isn’t a massive issue to panic over, it’s fair to say we need to be cautious and follow the lead of the DEC and Lake George Association.
The DEC is asking us to Know It, Avoid It, and Report It. HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long, linear green streaks, and can be the color of pea soup, a blue-green, or even a white coloration, or may look like spilled green paint. People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that has algal scums on the surface.
Finally, if you do see it, please report it. You can find a link to a report form and the appropriate email from the DEC here. The Lake George Association has been providing routine updates you can check here. As of now, they’re working with The FUND of Lake George to understand what caused the HAB.
A Quick Update on the Burial Grounds Discovered Last Year
In February of 2019 we reported on bones and artifacts found at a construction site in Lake George that were revealed to date back to the Revolutionary War. Adirondack Explorer provided an in-depth update on the situation, including the formation of a Courtland Street Reinternment Committee.
This committee includes members of the DEC, State parks, local historians, and others, and they’re dedicated to recovering and preserving the remains on the site. Right now, the committee is tentatively planning to rebury the remains somewhere in Lake George Battlefield Park in 2022, hopefully with a ceremony.
Lake George Arts Project Initiates Largest Annual Appeal Effort Ever
This month the Lake George Arts Project mailed out their largest Annual Appeal effort they’ve ever undertaken, and the first print appeal they’ve initiated since 2015. If you have benefited from their programming, or value the availability of their programs in the community, please consider supporting them at this time.
By the end of the year their total losses will be over $100,000 and they have an annual operating budget of $212,000, so this is a significant loss.
Read more from their recent Facebook post >>
Need last-minute Thanksgiving plans? Check the pre-order dates for each, but you may still be able to find to-go Thanksgiving dinners and specials.
Sources:
- Adirondack Explorer: Crossroads of Conflict
- Sun Community News: New Event to Spark Holiday Cheer
- WNYT: Capital Region company hosts walk-through holiday lights display in Lake George
