Indian Lake is the place to be today
Update: Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg had their race — as for the outcome, both are saying that “New York won.”
I got an email from a listener, Sue Abbot-Jones, this week about the big Adirondack Challenge in Indian Lake.
She wanted to be sure that we knew the whole shindig was about more than rubber rafts and politicians.
“Your did not mention the Taste NY Foods tents in Bryon Park in Indian Lake. Many local food and beverage vendors representing newer and more well established businesses will be there,” she wrote.
That’s the message in the Adirondack Park today: The fun — and the opportunity to show the flag for what our region has to offer — is in Indian Lake today and tomorrow.
Tourism officials as far away as Plattsburgh and Lake Placid are traveling to Hamilton County to help pump up the proverbial jam. (Who knows? If New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is coming, maybe Technotronic will be there, too?)
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise, in Saranac Lake, urged readers this week to join in the fun.
“Some say this is all a big publicity stunt,” the newspaper concluded. “That’s true; in fact, it’s the whole point. The governor has decided to stage this to draw the attention of New Yorkers far and wide to the Adirondack Park and its recreational opportunities.”
The list of activities, on and off the water, is pretty marvelous. There’s even a book sale! Check out the full listing of events here.
NCPR will have full reports Monday and Tuesday, but this is your chance to be part of the story. Load the kids in the car, the canoe on the roof, and head for Indian Lake. The forecast is for temps in the mid-70s and sunny skies!
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When there are so many events already on the calendar in the Adirondacks that could use a boost, like the Whitewater Derby, why did Cuomo need to create a new event? It is great that there is some more publicity for the area but it shows how elected officials could be better informed about their own constituencies. But maybe if Cuomo had been a booster of existing events the stories might not have been all about him.
If tourism is going to be more of the economy than it is now the key is going to be turning the region into a 4 season tourism destination. Attracting summer visitors has never been too much of a problem. In about 6 weeks the place will be deserted again.
Big ups for the Technotronic reference!
From the ADE after the race:
“Although things looked busy, town Clerk Julie Clawson said only about 800 people had come through the gates by late afternoon. Most were year-round or seasonal residents of the Indian Lake area, although some tourists showed up, she said.
“I wouldn’t even say we hit 1,000,” Clawson said. “We were told 2,000 to 4,000. We’re disappointed. We went through a whole lot for this.””
Oh well, maybe next year.