First Day Hike at John Brown Farm

January 1, 2024, 10:30 am – noon

John Brown Farm will host guided hikes the first day of 2024! We can’t promise snowcover, but will provide fresh air, a choice of longer or shorter hikes (1-2 miles), and hot chocolate or coffee in the visitor center afterward. We also have swag–a special bandana to take home.

Please meet us at the visitor center in the barn. You may follow us on Facebook (HERE) for an update on the weather—probably no snowshoes needed this year, but perhaps anti-slip devices like microspikes and/or hiking poles may be useful items to bring. Please have appropriate attire for the weather.

John Brown Farm State Historic Site, 115 John Brown Road, Lake Placid

North Country New Year

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Formerly known as First Night, Saranac Lake is proud to host this family-friendly celebration of the arts to welcome in the North Country New Year. North Country New Year offers a wide variety of entertainment that the whole family will enjoy, such as live music, fireworks, and more!

View the full schedule of events and find details on admission HERE.

Call for Artists

Applications Opening This January for 2024 Gallery Exhibits at ALCA

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) announces a call for artists to submit exhibit proposals for the 2024 gallery lineup. Qualified artists working in all media are invited to apply for solo or group shows at the Arts Center with each exhibit displaying in our gallery spaces for approximately four weeks between May and October. Accepted submissions include but are not limited to: paintings/drawings/printmaking, photography, sculpture/carving/3-D mixed media, video/sound/interactive installations, etc.

Several highlights from ALCA’s 2023 gallery season include plein air pastels by Diane Leifheit; collage from Emily Tironi, whose work is dedicated to disability representation; sculpted portraits by Cheryl Horning; and fiber/mixed-media sculptures by Connie Noftsier.

Applications open January 1 through March 24, 2024 via the Submittable portal. For more information and the link to apply, visit HERE.

ICYMI

Using a clothesline in Tupper Lake to connect flannel, denim and us to the land

NCPR’s Todd Moe takes a look at next summer’s exhibit at the Wild Center by artist Brenda Baker.

The community arts installation is collected donated farm clothing now.

Listen HERE.

A First Day Tradition Since 1973

New Year’s Day Polar Plunge in Lake George

Enjoy the live music, the 1st Day in Lake George, and the fun family!Every New Year’s Day hundreds of true winter enthusiasts take a dip into beautiful Lake George. Revelers in bathing suits and costumes dash into the icy lake. But most don’t stay in long!

Plunges are held in waves of 400 people, with the first wave entering the icy waters at 1 pm. Additional waves will follow at 1:15 pm and 1:30 pm. Water shoes are highly recommended!

Sign up starts on New Year’s Eve from 11 am to 5 pm, and again on New Year’s Day at 10:30am at Duffy’s Tavern. Sign up is $10 and directly benefits The Springfield Shriners Hospital for Children and Lake George Volunteer Fire Department. Long sleeve polar plunge shirts will be available for $10.

Celebrate at the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge Party with live music from 2 -6 pm with Dirt Cheap at Duffy’s!

Additional info HERE.

Shepard Park Beach, Canada Street, Lake George

Campfire & Cocoa in Mid’s Park

Thursday, December 28 thru Sunday, December 31, 2003, 4 to 6 pm

Free S’mores & Hot Cocoa—Part of your perfect holiday!
Throughout the holiday week, stop at Mid’s Park on Main Street to enjoy complimentary S’mores and Hot Cocoa! Cozy up to the campfire and create your own S’mores masterpiece while sipping on a cup of hot cocoa.

Mid’s Park, Main Street, Lake Placid

The Bookstore Plus Presents

Book Club Discussion with Kim Van Alkemade

Author of Counting Lost Stars

Tuesday January 2, 2024, 7 – 8 pm, in store or via Zoom

New York Times bestselling author of Orphan #8, Kim van Alkemade returns with a gripping and poignant historical saga in which an unmarried college student who’s given up her baby for adoption helps a Dutch Holocaust survivor search for his lost mother.

Join us in the children’s section of the store OR email thebookstoreplus@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

The Bookstore Plus, 2491 Main Street, Lake Placid