Check Out the Top Lake George News, Business Updates, and More

Gear Up for Summer at New Eastern Mountain Sports Store

Outdoor enthusiasts have a new place to shop in Lake George. Eastern Mountain Sports recently opened its newest location at the Adirondack Outlet Mall, bringing a wide selection of outdoor gear, apparel, and adventure essentials to the region.

Located at 1444 US-9, Space 23, the store offers products for hiking, camping, paddling, travel, and everyday outdoor recreation. Whether you're planning a day on the trails, a weekend at the lake, or a family camping trip, shoppers will find plenty of options to help prepare for the season.

The new store carries everything from backpacks and camp chairs to sun shirts, shorts, swimwear, and outdoor footwear. Families will also appreciate the dedicated kids department, making it easy to outfit younger adventurers for summer activities.

Eastern Mountain Sports has long been a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts, known for carrying trusted brands and gear designed for active lifestyles. The Lake George location adds another convenient shopping option for both visitors and locals exploring the Adirondacks.

With summer vacation season coming up, the new store arrives at the perfect time for anyone looking to stock up on outdoor essentials before their next adventure.

The 2026 Lake George Community Band Festival: Celebrating 20 Years

The Lake George Community Band Festival returns to Shepard Park for its 20th year on July 18, just in time to enjoy the new amphitheater facility! We chatted with Jessica Tracy of the LGCB to talk about what to expect with this year's milestone anniversary event, and to get the inside scoop on a bit of the Band's history.

Two Decades of the Lake George Community Band Festival

The first Lake George Community Band Festival was in 2006, but the band itself started in 2003, in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration of Lake George Village. When asked how the Festival has evolved over the years Jessica spoke to the shift from mail to email and in-person meetings to Zoom.

The structure of the Festival has also adapted to the times, shifting from a multi-day event into a high-energy, single-day musical marathon. Jess told us, "Some bands just come for the day, some come for an overnight in Lake George, and in recent years some have even made their trip here into an annual vacation!" 

What has not changed over the years is the Committee itself and the harmonious (no pun intended) relationship between the group and the Village. "We don't have much turnover on our Festival Committee," Jessica said. "Some members have been involved in planning this Festival for well over a decade!"

Rising Above the Ashes: The 2024 Shepard Park Fire

Outdoor events inevitably come with a degree of unpredictability, even in the summer, but nothing could've prepared the Committee for the 2024 fire that destroyed the Shepard Park amphitheater, mere days before the Festival was about to take place. Not only was the structure itself demolished, but some instruments and equipment were also lost to the elements.

"The leaders in Lake George, the local music community, and the general community in our area were wonderful," Jessica said. "The site was cleared quickly, a tent was donated, and our Festival was able to go on as planned."

Bridging Generations Through Music

Over the past 20 years, the Lake George Community Band Festival has welcomed around 20 different musical organizations to Lake George - this is arguably the core of what makes the Festival special, this unique pairing of different people from different areas, including from Canada, coming together for music.

"There is a core group of bands from throughout the Northeast who attend the Festival regularly, new bands who come to experience the Festival, and of course, our own Lake George Community Band has been a fixture of the Festival for all 20 years," Jessica said.

Jessica explained there is a wide range of people in the Lake George Community Band, with some playing their instrument as a hobby, others make a career of it as local music teachers, and they also welcome some high school students, allowing them to get extra experience.

"Though our youngest members are high school students, our band also has some resident octogenarians - and we have members of all ages in between!" 

The Logistics Behind the Scenes

"Staying on schedule can be really tough," Jessica explained, about coordinating such a massive, one-day event. "Changing the chair configurations on stage to accommodate bands of different sizes is quite a feat."

Not to mention, the weather! Volunteers need to make the call early the morning of the Festival. "Once we jumped through hoops to move the Festival indoors, and ended up with a sunny day!" Jessica remembered.

Celebrate 20 Years of Harmony This July

The Lake George Community Band Festival is debuting a special commemorative logo on this year's marketing materials and tee-shirts in honor of the milestone anniversary. Beyond that, the Committee is celebrating how they always do: by keeping a beautiful, musical local tradition alive - and free.

"The Lake George Community Band Festival is happening on July 18, 2026," Jessica said. "We hope you'll join us for some fabulous music performed by local and regional community bands right here in Lake George!"

Mark your calendar and remember to grab a lawn chair or blanket for a full afternoon of live music by the lake!

2026 Festival Schedule

Here's the lineup for this year's Lake George Community Band Festival on July 18!

• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Maybrook Wind Ensemble

• 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: SUNY Ulster College Community Band

• 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM: Ballston Spa Community Band

• 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM: Gates Chili Community Concert Band

• 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM: Honeoye Falls Community Band

• 7:00 PM – 7:50 PM: Lake George Community Band (Host Grand Finale)

Sasha Pardy of Adirondack Winery Is a Woman to Watch

Sasha Pardy, the driving force behind Adirondack Winery and the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, has been named of New York State Restaurant Association's 10 Women to Watch in Hospitality for 2026. 

This distinction honors women across the state who are leaders in their community when it comes to the hospitality industry. According to NYSRA, these are women who "seem to do it all and do it with excellence," and that undoubtedly applies to Sasha.

Sasha is Co-Owner and President of Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery, and is also owner of Adirondack Festivals. Since co-founding Adirondack Winery in 2008, the company has flourished under her guidance, now producing over 15,000 cases of their fruit-infused wines each year.

Adirondack Winery has seen several upgrades and improvements over the years, most notably the expansion to Queensbury in 2022, and the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival is celebrating its 10th year in 2026; the festival has to date has generated over $3.5 million in economic impact for the Lake George area, and has raised money for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Soroptomists.

"Hospitality has always been my passion because it's about creating experiences that bring people together and leave lasting memories," Sasha said in a statement. "I'm proud of what our team has built here in the Adirondacks."

Invasive Species on Halfway Brook Trail

A heads up for Queensbury parks and trails users - Queensbury Rec has announced that logging operations are underway for Halfway Brook Trail through mid-summer. They're addressing an invasive insect, red pine scale. The trail is closed during this time.

Red pine scale is from Japan and first appeared in this country in 1946 and it can kill trees. You might see needle discoloration and white, cottony masses on twigs. Adirondack Explorer reported seeing this invasive species on Lenni-Lenape Island on Lake George in near the Pharoah Lakes Wilderness in 2024.

In the meantime, Rush Pond Trail, trails at Gurney Lane Recreation Center, and other area parks and trails are open!