Music, music, music - much of it FREE!
Summer brings with it some terrific music in the Hamilton County region. Free concerts abound, as do concert events all over the region and festivals highlighting music.
Enjoy free live classical concerts in Long Lake on five Thursday evenings at the United Methodist Church. July 9th kicks off the series with Claire Black performing on piano. A complete list of this concert series is listed on our events schedule under Friends of Music Summer Concert Series.
Also in Long Lake, a highlight of the summer brings RondeauFest, a music festival celebrating the Adirondack's most celebrated hermit, Noah John Rondeau. Join in the fun from 4 - 10 pm at Mt. Sabbaths pavilion for this festival featuring some great regional bands, BBQ and more. For just $10 you get six hours of entertainment. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers, but leave the glass bottles at home!
There's also music at the Long Lake town beach for the annual Fourth of July celebration, so join the fun and fireworks and celebrate Independence Day.
In Blue Mountain lake, the ever popular Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts offers plays, concerts and more. Join them on June 23rd for the annual Dulcimer Concert with Dave Moore and his troupe of Dulcimers.
There are lots more free music events as well, including the Indian Lake events below!
What better time than sunset for music on the water
On Saturdays in Inlet, drop in for the "Sunsets by the Lake" free summer concert series at Arrowhead Park on the lake. From July 4th through September 5th, enjoy some of our most popular regional entertainers at one of the most beautiful settings in The Adirondack Park. The first in the series, on July 4th, features Jamie Notarthomas' mix of styles influenced by the "twelve apostles of rock and roll," beginning at 7:30 pm. The remaining July concerts begin at 7 pm, with August concerts beginning at 6 pm.
For a step back in time, check out the Adirondack Renaissance Fantasy Festival in Inlet. July 11th and 12th will see Fern Park transformed to the age of merriment and wonder. Beautiful music will fill the air as Lords and Ladies stroll the park following the "Goodly Queen." I'm not sure what the Goodly Queen is all about, but I plan to find out. This sounds like awesome fun and, once again, it's a free event.
Indian Lake's rockin'
Indian Lake loves its Block Parties! The parking lot next to Indian Lake Restaurant is the scene of this always fun and rockin' event, on Saturday, July 11th. From 6 - 10 pm enjoy the music of The Fulton Chain Gang, as they entertain for this annual gathering in the center of Indian Lake at the intersection of Routes 30 and 28. Don't miss this one. I've been there, it's a hoot and it's free.
Also in Indian Lake, The Adirondack Challenge weekend has become a popular local celebration. The kickoff to the Adirondack Challenge weekend is the Block Party on July 18th, featuring The Bad Chaperones band, again in the parking lot next door to the Indian Lake Restaurant. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and it's another great free event. The next day, July 19th, don't miss the Adirondack Challenge Festival in Byron Park. Featuring live entertainment, food, demos, water sports, float plane rides and much more. Join in the fun from 11 am - 3 pm.
If you're looking for some classic American bluegrass, look no further than Byron Park in Indian Lake on July 31st. The Washington County Bluegrass Band will take the stage at 7 pm to entertain young and old in the Byron Pavilion. This is yet another one of Indian Lake's totally free events, so don't miss it!
Classics for a warm summer day
On July 24th, the famed Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra takes to the stage under the tent at Inlet's Arrowhead Park for two concerts. The first is a children's concert featuring a couple of the orchestra's quartets. It's free for children under 12. At 7:30 that same evening, the complete orchestra takes to the stage for a full-out symphony concert. Ticket information is listed on the event's schedule page.
Ragtime!
Step back into the days of Ragtime when the world's best ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist performs in Raquette Lake. Bob Milne has been filmed by the Library of Congress for a documentary on this original American style of music. Don't miss this performance at the Raquette Lake School on July 31st. Get your tickets early as space is quite limited.
Celebrate the king of the great camps
Join us in celebration of one of the Adirondack's most important developers, William West Durant. The Durant Days and Boat Parade weekend, July 31st - August 2nd, is not to be missed in Raquette Lake. Raquette Lake is one of my favorite Adirondack communities. Plan a visit and you'll find out why! Durant Days features live entertainment all afternoon and evening, fireworks, a boat parade and more. W.W. Durant was the designer and builder of several Great Camps in the area, including Camp Uncas, Camp Pine Knot and Sagamore Camp, all of which are National Historic Landmarks. Durant was the son of Thomas C. Durant, financier and railroad promoter during the mid-1800s.
Bluegrass and Art - a beautiful marriage....
Early August brings the Oak Mountain Bluegrass and Arts Festival in Speculator. Join in the celebration of music and arts in the mountains of the Adirondacks! Gates open at 12:30pm and the music starts at 1:30pm. Great food, great beer, lift rides and fun for the whole family! For just $20 you can even camp out at the event, or $15 will get you into the festival for the whole day! Kids 12 and Under are free with a ticketed Adult. The lineup: 1:30-3:30: Swampcandy; 4:00-6:00: The Deer Run Drifters; 6:30-8:30: Nick and Braids from Floodwood; 9:00-11:00: The Old Main. Don't miss this event!
Stay for a while
Remember, these are just some of the many highlights of the music scene in Hamilton County this summer. Be sure to check the complete schedule of music and other events so you don't miss something great. Also check our lodging pages and take a long weekend or a short getaway. Hamilton County also has some excellent dining and many other events to entertain you while you're visiting our beautiful region in the heart of the Adirondack Park.
The ADKs rock this summer:
