Around & About Lake George: Friday, May 27, 2011
Seriously, summer is never going to arrive – looks like there is at least scattered showers in store for the weekend. Don’t shoot the messenger! Anyway, I’m sure a little rain won’t put a damper on any of the Memorial Day festivities this weekend and the Monday off that many of us have.
Tonight, as I mentioned earlier the Rev Tor Band is playing at Shepard Park, free for all! Though if you aren’t in the mood for music, Fort William Henry is starting up their nightly ghost (walking) tours for the summer – be there by 7 to enjoy a night of spook-filled fun.
But as this weekend is Memorial Day there are bound to be a million and a half parades – Chestertown, Glens Falls, Lake Luzurne, North Creek, Stony Creek, Warrensburg, Bolton Landing – all the towns are having Memorial Day parades on Monday. Lake George & Hague are having their Memorial Day Parades Saturday. So kick off summer this (long) weekend with some boom, bang and sit back and relax, even if it doesn’t feel like the season.
If you’re more the walking and wandering type, there is the arts and crafts festival at Rogers Park in Bolton Landing from 10 in the morning until 4 or the indoor flea market at the Lake George Forum in Lake George from the wee hours of the morning (8 AM) until dinner. Spend the day searching (and keep the kids entertained), and who knows what you’ll find – it’s a great way to while away the day – and cheap, too!
For those that would like a more quiet evening, the Georgian in Lake George is having their fourth Saturday dinner dance this…well…Saturday. Dinner begins at 5 and dancing goes through the night until 11 to the sounds of the Standing Room Only Band.
With the park just recently opened, the Glens Falls Lions Club is taking advantage, selling tickets for Great Escape for under $20 (for specific days, starting sales this Saturday) as a part of the Great Escape Coasters for a Cause program. For each ticket they sell, the organization gets $5 to help to continue to provide hearing and sight programs for those in need. I’d totally go – discounted price for a good cause? No questions here. But then, I am an adrenaline junkie.
As I said, most of the Memorial Day parades are on Saturday – and everyone should get out and enjoy the heralding of summer – which means we all get to sleep in on Monday, of course.
For the rest of the week, two highlights – Jeffery Gaines and Elvis. Jeffery Gaines is coming to the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga the first of June – an Emmy nominated artist, Gaines is known for his confessional style and ethereal voice. But I’ve never heard him before, so I can’t tell you for a fact that is what he sounds like; I’m going on hearsay here. Have you heard Gaines sing before? What was your impression?
And then, next weekend marks the return of the King. Lake George (.com)’s Elvisfest is in town with the opening ceremony on the 2nd kicking off at 7:30. A night of welcomes and introductions by the talent coordinator of the fest followed by some of the talent themselves, including a 2009 Champion and another from last year. Cheesy? Probably. But undoubtedly fun. White, bejeweled suits and mutton chops (the hair, not the meat) will abound. But take the time to come out to the opening ceremony at Shepard Park, or the after-party at the Adirondack Pub and Brewery – where maybe, if you’re lucky, a few of the tribute artists will loosen their vocal chords. I’m sure, if nothing else the evening and the events of Elvisfest will bring a smile to your face.
And if you want to enjoy the music of some great local bands (who I am sure, owe much to the King, SPAC’s Battle of the Bands is back and on Friday, June 3 at the Little Theater – come out and hear what the best bands in the area sound like! (I sure will be).
Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet, wandering holiday weekend and week or one filled with music and fun, there’s enough going on for everyone to find something that they enjoy doing. What are you looking forward to most this coming week?