Lake George Winterfest debuts this weekend

LAKE GEORGE | During the next four weekends, Lake George Village is likely to be far busier than it was during January, as Lake George Area Winterfest is likely to attract plenty of people for safe but fun activities. Lake George Winterfest offers a wide range of pursuits without depending on motorsports on ice which were the primary draw of Lake George Winter Carnival, a longstanding tradition that was canceled this year due to the pandemic. Sponsored by area businesses, the Winterfest activities are offered Thursday through Sunday every week of February throughout Lake George Village, Queensbury, and the southern Adirondacks. Whether it's fat-tire bicycling on snow over trails near Garnet Lake, riding a dogsled through woods in Lake Placid, cross-country skiing a snowshoeing hike, or throwing an ax at a target indoors — purchase of a $30 Winterfest wristband will provide a discount for one chosen major activity. Also, people bearing wristbands can take a complimentary cozy horse-drawn carriage ride, and stop in at several shops and restaurants in the area for hot chocolate "on the house." Additionally, wristband purchase provides for discounts of 15% at about two dozen hotels, motels, cottages, and lodges, primarily in Lake George and Queensbury. About 22 restaurants — primarily in Lake George, Bolton, and Queensbury will be offering discounts of 10% to people purchasing wristbands. Other activities in Lake George not associated with a wristband purchase include ice skating on the lake, wine tastings at Adirondack Winery, and painting classes at the Lake George Holiday Inn. People are also welcome to savor art exhibits at the Widlund Gallery in North Creek, share cocktails at creative outdoor ice bars at various area taverns and hotels, and view ice sculptures outside The Hyde art museum in Glens Falls. Also available with a reservation at various times through February are snowmobile excursions by C+C Snowmobile Tours; guided mountain hikes by Jackson of Lake George; snowshoe hikes and races at Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersville, and snowshoeing on the Catamount, Green Hill, and Chester Challenge trails in northern Warren County. Details about all activities are on the Lake George Winterfest website: LakeGeorgeWinterfest.com or on websites of the individual attractions. Winterfest coordinator Christian Dutcher said Jan. 31 that about 700 wristbands had been bought, and 95% of the purchasers were outside the Capital Region — which will undoubtedly be good news for area accommodation proprietors and tourism officials. "We wanted to provide "heads in beds" to buffer what might have been an off-February this year for Lake George," Dutcher said.He continued that Winterfest organizers are working with Warren County Public Health and other agencies to ensure that social distancing and appropriate disinfection occur at each venue associated with the winter festival. "We're doing this in a safe way — every single activity provider is making sure they have sound safety protocol to protect people's health."

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Lake George Winterfest debuts this weekend

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