It's a summer events round-up!
It’s no secret that the Adirondack Mountains burst with activity in the summer. You can thank our stellar trail systems, dazzling glacial lakes, and decidedly cool small towns for that! With an awesome summer season ahead, it might be hard to pick what time to come visit. When you can’t decide, take a look at our packed events calendar. Outdoorsy adventurers can celebrate the season with races that climb iconic peaks like Whiteface Mountain, fly fishing challenges in the Ausable River, and music festivals framed by High Peaks views. Check out what’s in store below!
Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge (May 14–16)
The angling event of the season, the Ausable Two-Fly Challenge is just the beginning of a summer filled with outdoor fun. With fresh snowmelt filling our streams and fish on the move, the weekend makes for a fantastic hang with like-minded anglers celebrating the region's historic fly-fishing culture on the Ausable River! The rules are simple; anglers are allowed two barbless hook flies of any combination or patterns per day. Once the flies are lost or unusable, he or she is out for that day. Anglers must fish with a partner, and each must record the total number of fish caught, the length of each fish, and the cumulative number of inches. The winner is determined by the highest cumulative length of each fish caught.
In addition to the competition, enjoy a fly tying competition, guest speakers, an opening party with music and brews, and a big banquet with raffles and awards to cap off the weekend.
Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race/Uphill Foot Race (June 6)
Dreaming of scaling one of the Adirondack’s most iconic peaks? The Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike and Foot Race is for you. Climb 3,500 feet over 8 miles up the scenic Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway to the top of New York’s 5th highest peak, where you’ll find a 360° panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. The race takes two forms, both on foot and on bike!
Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival (June 20)
The Annual Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival is back for another year. If you're interested in racing, your options include a 5K race and a 10K race, as well as a virtual option to track your miles and time remotely. Run participants receive a t-shirt, a race completion medal, and “swag” from local businesses. Awards are given in men’s and women’s categories for both the 5K and 10K races for the first, second, and third places. And the cherry on top? The proceeds go to the Wilmington Historical Society’s building fund, preserving our region's rich history. After the race, stick around for the awards ceremony and have some fun at the Whiskey Run Festival.
The Festival features a craft show, food trucks, music and entertainment, a Wilmington history display, raffles, and more! In the spirit of reminiscing on Wilmington's colorful whiskey history, the event also commemorates the 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh, meaning you'll be bumping shoulders with the 1814 Commemoration, Inc. and the Clinton County Militia, 36th Company, New York. The groups will provide a living history encampment, parade with period historic rifles, and provide cannon fire for the start of the race.
Wilmington Mountain Music Fest (July 25)
Wilmington Mountain Music Fest is a music festival perfect for an Adirondack summer! The lineup is here, featuring Toys in the Attic, an Aerosmith tribute band; Jamie Lee Thurston, a Southern rock powerhouse; Double Axel, a North Country legend out of Potsdam; and Adrenaline Overdrive, bringing 80’s hits to the night. When you’re not rocking out, the festival keeps fun alive with fire dancers, family entertainment, food trucks, and local beer and wine to savor.
Jay Day Celebration & Fair (August 15)
Spend a day in Jay with The annual Jay Day Celebration held on Saturday, August 15 on the Historic Jay Village Green. The festival takes over the park with 40+ vendors, music, food, and family fun all day long. And don’t forget the Pie Contest! Seasoned bakers and newbie pie aficionados are welcome, as long as you bring your best pie to the Green by 1 p.m. Winners will be announced shortly after, so stick around to see whose pie reigns supreme! Enjoy live music all day, while the kids can enjoy children’s crafts & games.
We'll pencil you in
With a packed events calendar on the horizon, we're prepping our dance moves, tuning our bikes, and brushing up on our whiskey knowledge for a summer that's sure to impress. Looking for lodging? Head to the lodging page to start planning your visit.
