First Day Hike – Goodnow Mountain

Wednesday, January 1st, 9:00 am

Join us for the annual First Day Hike at Goodnow Mountain, January 1st at 9:00am – departure time 9:30pm. This 4-mile round-trip hike is considered moderately difficult in winter but is family and dog friendly - as long as they are on leashes (the dogs, not the family). It is strongly recommended that you have snowshoes or microspikes for this adventure, but if you don’t have them, we can provide some with ADVANCED notice. Preregistration is not required but very appreciated. Please email shample@esf.edu to preregister and/or to request snowshoes or microspikes. Remember, it will be winter, and it will be cold! Dress appropriately (no cotton!) for the weather! Register at https://forms.gle/3KJCmxUbqCosk5aF9, or email shample@esf.edu

Bushcraft: Survive and Thrive

Join us for a hands-on, four-part bushcraft workshop series where you'll learn essential wilderness survival skills! Each session focuses on a different element critical to thriving in the outdoors:

Saturday, January 25th - 11am – Fire – Learn fire-starting techniques using natural materials, from friction to flint, including how to start fires in inclement weather.

Saturday, February 22nd – 11am – Water - Learn how to filter and purify water for drinking and cooking, while also exploring various methods to cook in the wilderness using minimal gear and natural resources.

Saturday, March 22nd – 11am – Shelter – Explore shelter-building methods with natural resources to create secure, weatherproof structures that protect from the elements.

Saturday, April 26th – 9am – Land Navigation - Learn essential land navigation skills, including map reading, compass use, and route planning, to confidently explore the outdoors.

Perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike, these workshops will equip you with vital bushcraft skills for your next wilderness experience!

Register for one or all four- limit of 15

To register use the link https://forms.gle/3KJCmxUbqCosk5aF9 

Trail to Timber: Honoring Aldo Leopold

Saturday, June 14th – Walk – 9am, Building - 11am, Film - 1pm

Join us at the Adirondack Interpretive Center for a day of exploration and hands-on activities in celebration of Aldo Leopold! Take a guided walk to discover the beauty of spring wildflowers, then put your skills to work by building your very own Leopold Bench—a perfect spot to sit and reflect on your newfound botanical knowledge. End the day with a screening of A Green Fire, a powerful documentary on Aldo Leopold’s life and lasting legacy. Come for one activity or stay for them all!

9 am – Wildflower Walk

11am – Leopold Bench Building Workshop

1pm – Green Fire Film

All materials and tools for bench building will be provided.

Leopold Benches: $40

To register email shample@esf.edu you use the link for easier registration: https://forms.gle/x9uhTFcTD4Q5RaCp8

Nature Journaling with Artist in Residence Helena Williams

Explore the walking trails around the AIC and learn about the connections between art and science while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Adirondacks. Nature journaling is a tool that combines recording observations - an essential part of all scientific fields - with creating fun and personalized artwork. It provides an opportunity to slow down, relax, and learn about the outdoors through a creative lens. All are welcome regardless of knowledge or skill level. This program will be guided by Artist in Residence Helena Williams, a wildlife illustrator and falconer from North Creek, New York.

Supplies needed include a journal/sketchbook/notebook and drawing/writing utensils. You may bring your own materials or for a small fee use those available at the AIC (limited supply). Registration requested but not required. To register email shample@esf.edu or use the link for easier registration: https://forms.gle/x9uhTFcTD4Q5RaCp8

Big Time Kitty will be performing live at Paradox Brewery this summer from 5-8pm. Big Time Kitty is a funky, two-man band based out of Upstate New York.

From hip hop to jams, this duo will have you dancing!

Celebrate Independence Day in style at The Lodge at Schroon Lake!

Join us on Saturday, July 6th for an unforgettable party featuring outdoor BBQ food platters, live music, and a DJ to keep the vibes high. Enjoy a variety of lawn games, a beer truck, and an ice cream cart for a refreshing treat. With entertainment for all ages and more surprises in store, it’s the perfect way to spend your holiday. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled celebration!

Schedule of Events

Food:

BBQ Platters, served al fresco in the Front Lawn Pavilion from 11am-4pm, and inside The Brown Swan & Tavern from 4pm-9pm.

Choice of: Smoked Ribs ($24) or Brick Chicken ($22), mac and cheese, slaw, biscuit, and signature BBQ sauce.

Drink:

The Trailhead beer truck will be stationed on the Front Lawn from 12-3pm.

The Summit ice cream bike will be station on the Front Lawn from 12-3pm.

Frozen slushies & floaters will be served on the Front Lawn from 12-3pm, and inside The Brown Swan Tavern from 4-9pm.

Beer buckets (buy 5 glass/canned beers for the price of 4!) will be served at The Brown Swan Tavern & The Bevy during lunch & dinner.

Fun & Games:

Music on the Front Lawn from 12-3pm.

Lawn games on the Front Lawn from 12-7pm.

Fire pits lit on the Front Lawn from 12-3pm.

DJ and performers at The Brown Swan Tavern patio from 4-6pm.

Music at The Brown Swan Tavern patio from 7-10pm.

S'mores roasting at the Front Lawn fire pit from 7-10pm.

Sip, Snack, and Support: A Day for Dogs & a Great Cause

Paradox Brewery is bringing together great beer, good food, and adorable dogs for an afternoon of fun—all to support a fantastic cause. The North Country SPCA will be onsite with some of their lovable pups looking for their forever homes. Come meet them, learn about the organization, and help raise funds to support their mission!

• Special Guest Alert! Amber (@ambpitch) will be offering dog-friendly photo sessions for just $10—the perfect chance to capture a special moment with your furry friend!
• Support a Great Cause: A portion of proceeds will go directly to the North Country SPCA to help animals in need.

Come sip, snack, and support! We can’t wait to see you (and your pups) there!

 Fabric Art and Quilting with Ann Hornbeck! 

This is a free workshop at the Minerva Community Center. Stop by at 1 pm and enjoy! 

North Country New Year Festival

Review the 2024 schedule here! The 2025 schedule will be announced this fall!

New Year's Eve in Saranac Lake is decidedly entertaining and full of excitement for the whole family. Join us for live music and activities throughout the village. 

Building on the success of the 2023 and 2024 celebrations—which showcased thrilling new performers alongside beloved returning acts—2025 promises to be the biggest and best North Country New Year yet. Enthusiastic audiences filled venues across the village last year, creating memories to last a lifetime.

Last year's lineup included:

• Folk rock band Driftwood headlining Town Hall

• The Gaslight Tinkers, playing a dance-happy blend of old-time fiddle, funk, Caribbean and African music

• Hip-hop harp music from Küf Knotz and Christine Elise

• Flamenco-to-bluegrass virtuosos Maria Zemantauski and Sten Isachsen

• Ever-popular local favorites, the ‘50s/’60s revivalists Frankie & the Moonlighters

• The rafter-rattling Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir

• Hilarious comedy act by Moody McCarthy and Completely Stranded

• New this year, a kids carnival, featuring balloon animals, caricatures, and face painting, along with performances from the legendary "Bubble Man" Jeff Boyer and juggler extraordinaire Stephen Gratto

• Ice skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center

• Game night and hot chocolate bar at Historic Saranac Lake's Laboratory Museum

• Make-and-take art projects at ADK ArtRise

• Dance lessons at the Dance Sanctuary

• Rides on the Adirondack Carousel

• Breathtaking fire dancing by Smoke Show Fire Co.

• A spectacular Fireworks Display

Download and Print the full schedule here!

Stay tuned for updates as we announce this year’s performances and activities. Let’s make 2025 the most unforgettable North Country New Year yet!

Admission:

The artfully designed button serves as your admission to all events during North Country New Year. Buttons can be picked up at the Harrietstown Town Hall/Welcome Center on December 31. Please ensure you bring proof of purchase.

Admission Rates:

• $20 per person
• $15 for seniors
• Free for children under 18

Missed the online window? Don’t worry—remaining buttons will be available all day tomorrow at the Saranac Lake Welcome Center, located at 39 Main Street in the Harrietstown Town Hall, or at event venues during the celebration. Please note, all remaining sales are cash only.
 

MHS Special programs!

All programs will be held at the Minerva Community Center: Morse Hwy. and Rt 28N

**Museum is open July 6 through September 2 from 1 PM to 4 PM

• Saturday July 6 (1 pm - 4 pm): OPENING DAY
• Friday July 19 (1 pm - 3 pm): Fabric Art & Quilting with Ann Hornbeck, ADULTS only
• Saturday July 20 (10 am - 12 pm): Making a Memory Quilt & "Quilt Stories”, KIDS (adults welcomed)    
• Friday August 2  (1 pm - 2:30 pm): “Barn Quilts” with Joe & Ruth McWilliams, from TAUNY/Colton, NY Learn the history, creation, design of these colorful signs!

All programs are FREE and light refreshments are available!