Lighting of the Fire Towers 2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026

The Fire Tower Illumination marks the onset of a statewide tradition. Its inception lies in the desire to extend the glow on the horizon to distant observers, inviting them to reflect upon and honor an era when the Park fire towers were manned by individuals whose main task was to safeguard both the community and the encompassing woodlands.

Numerous fire towers nestled in the Adirondacks region will once again partake in the annual, synchronized illumination of these iconic structures. Marking the milestone of the 13th annual occurrence, a group of dedicated volunteers will light up the fire towers on the evening of Saturday, September 5, precisely between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. with an option for an Illuminator to keep the tower lit until 9:30 pm if they choose.

Rain date - September 6th

Sign ups begin July 20th for Veteran Illuminators and July 27th for New Illuminators. Deadline to sign up is August 25th.

This event is organized by the The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association and more information via their website can be found here .

Please remember this is not a hiking event! This event is tailored for individuals to view from a distance, gazing upward and reflecting as they witness the radiant light emanating from the fire tower.

The Adirondack Fire Towers participating in the tribute included:

Check back as the 2026 list is updated. 

• Mount Arab (Visible from Route 3 west of Tupper Lake - Piercefield Flow)

• Adams (Visible from Tahawus Road in Newcomb) 

• Azure 

• Bald Mountain 

• Belfry

• Blue Mountain

• Buck Mountain 

• Cathedral Rock

• Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown 

• Goodnow 

• Hurricane (Visible from Route 73 near the Village of Keene)

• Kane Mountain

• Makomis (Speculator)

• Mt. Morris (a/k/a Big Tupper - Visible from Tupper Lake)

• Owl's Head (Visible From Lake Eaton State Park beach in Long Lake - Mt. Sabattis side)

• Poke-O-Moonshine

• Snowy 

• St. Regis (Visible from Paul Smith's VIC)

• Vanderwhacker

• Wakely

Free Fishing Days

Free fishing days offer New York State residents and non-residents who are 16 and older* to fish without a freshwater fishing license (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!).

2026 Free Fishing Days Schedule

• February 14-15 (President's Day Weekend)
• June 27-28
• September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
• November 11 (Veterans Day)

These days offer the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, to get back into the sport, or to take a friend or the whole family along to fish! Even though a license is not needed, all other fishing regulations apply.

Hardy Kids MTB Race

WHAT: Kids' mountain bike race followed by a free trailhead cookout
WHO: Pre-K through high school mountain bikers (striders included)
WHEN: Morning of Saturday, August 29, 2026
WHERE: Hardy Road Trails/Beaver Brook Tract in Wilmington, NY

This is the eighth year for this awesome kids event and the first year that the Barkeater Trails Alliance is hosting it.  This race was started by kids, for kids, and we're stoked to continue that legacy this year.  Last year the race attracted more than 80 kids and their families.

Race categories span from pre-K to 12th grade and the race course changes with each age range.  

• The youngest age groups do a loop on Beaver Brook View Trail, a 0.3-mile crushed-stone path on lower Hardy.  

• 3rd - 5th graders ride a 1.4-mile route Coniferous to Lost Farm Trails.

• 6th - 8th graders ride a 2.0-mile route of Make Believe to Coniferous to Lost Farm.

• 9th - 12th graders have a 2.5-mile route including Lost Farm, All In, and Ante Up trails.

We're also hosting a cookout after the race, so don't jet off right after you make the podium.  Stick around for a free sizzling hotdog and crisp, cold juice.

Thank you so much to all the volunteers, sponsors, and racers who make this stellar event possible!

Indian Lake Summer Concerts

Bring the family and meet up with friends for a summer evening concert!

All concerts are located at 6298 NYS- 30 unless noted*

Concert Line-Up:

Mark Arsenault: July 4 @6pm *Byron Park

Finger Diddle: July 18 @7pm

**Grit N Grace: August 8 @7pm

**Psycho Mutton Chops: August 15 @7pm

**Tame The Rooster: September 12 @7pm

**Rocky & The Moose Men: September 26 @4pm

** This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

Ride Free in the Adirondacks

Free Snowmobiling Weekend for Out-of-State Riders!

Mark your calendars! Each year, two weekends are designated as a Free Snowmobile Weekend. During this period, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers can hit New York’s trails for free—no NYS registration required. As long as your sled is properly registered and insured in your home state or province, you’re good to go!

The Adirondacks boast over 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails, winding through scenic forests, and frozen lakes, and welcoming small towns. Whether you're looking for a short ride or an all-day adventure, there’s a trail for every rider.

Plan your ride, explore new trails, and enjoy the thrill of the season—on us!

Adirondack Snowmobile App

To better help you plan your trips, download the FREE Adirondacks, USA Snowmobile App. With an interactive map and all the information you need to know to navigate snowy trails and find gas stations, stores, restaurants, and lodging properties, this app is your "one-stop shop" for all things snowmobile! Download it today on the App Store or get it on Google Play.

The Schroon Lake Fish & Game Club Annual Lobster & Chicken Bake,

Starts at noon September 19th at the Club Grounds and is open to the public.

The club bar will be open at noon as well along with the beer booth! 

Ticket choices:

- Lobster & Chicken Dinner: $40.00
- Lobster Only Dinner: $30.00
- Chicken Only Dinner: $20.00

Included with your ticket: Corn on the Cob, Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder, Fresh roast pork, Potato Salad and Coleslaw

If you are out of town and need tickets please call 518-532-7953 or message me directly ONLY.

BAKE TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THE DAY OF THE BAKE, THEY MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE.

ALL TICKETS MUST BE BOUGHT BY SEP 5th!

Itinerary

Chicken will be served from 1:30 -2:30pm
Lobster will be served from 3-4pm
Hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage and peppers will also be available for purchase!

Join us for a guided walk along our beautiful Rich Lake Trail every Saturday at 1pm from July 4th through August 29th. The Rich Lake trail is a flat 1 mile loop that winds through various habitats, including a raised boardwalk through a cedar swamp, and offers views of the Goodnow Fire Tower. 

Annual Swap and Wet Meet hosted by the Mohawk Hudson Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club will be held again this year at the Schroon Lake Town boat launch. The event is planned for September 20, 2026 and will be held at the town boat launch in Schroon Lake, New York. Attendees come from throughout the Northeast as well as local members and the general public is welcome to attend at no cost. There is no admission fee and no fee to display/buy/sell/trade.

The day is planned to begin at 9:00 AM as a casual open-air event that is expected to last until 2:00 pm. The event includes the buying, selling and trading of antique and classic outboard motors, boats and related items from attendees/vendors. Additional vendors are welcome at no cost. The general public is welcome. There will be food available for a donation for morning coffee and donuts and lunch at noontime.

The swap meet is held in an Antiques Roadshow type atmosphere and interested parties can get parts, advice and resources for their old outboard motors and boats, as well as an outlet to bring their motors to put them in the hands of a collector who can restore it. 

The Chapter, chartered in March of 2005 has experienced growth over the last twenty one years.

 For further news of the Mohawk Hudson Chapter of the AOMCI, please visit our website

 For information about the national organization, please visit their website at www.aomci.org.

Come celebrate the local community!

The Town of Newcomb is sponsoring a Community Harvest Picnic on Saturday, October 3rd from 11 am to 2 pm, which will be held at the Lilbern Yandon Memorial Recreation Field. 

Join the town for a day filled with delicious food and drinks, exciting games, and lively music.

This is a great chance to connect with fellow community members and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather.