Autumn is closing out in the North Country, and as Winter approaches, so does the anticipation of the coming holiday season. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that marks the first weekend of An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street. Every year it grows bigger and better, and it succeeds because it’s the right thing in the right place at the right time. It’s what everybody imagines an old fashioned holiday would be in a quaint mountain town. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we’ve got. People find a simpler, more personable atmosphere, and they get a break from the hectic, overpopulated and smothering commercialism of Christmas in the city. Many of the things that make An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street special are free. Folks can enjoy the essence of an old time holiday, and focus on building those memories. 

Business decorate for the holidays

Mr & Mrs Claus take a ride on a horse drawn carriage

Families line up for the Santa Train

Horse-drawn wagon rides are a big hit

Almost a foot of snow has fallen already. Although we will go through several early season snow storms before the ground stays covered, it’s easy for everyone to get in the mood for winter. 



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That festive mood will flourish at Thanksgiving, when the community hosts the first weekend of An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street. People are transported back to an old fashioned Adirondack holiday. A holiday train from Utica will bring folks to Old Forge for visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse drawn wagon rides, reindeer, and small town charm. 

Wagon Rides with Mr & Mrs Claus

 

 

Only 38 days until the trails open for snowmobiling, and the following weekend is SNODEO, the kick-off event of the snowmobiling season. The fastest growing event at SNODEO is the youth races, and for many it’s the most fun event. Everyone enjoys watching the next generation of riders doing what they love in Old Forge.

 

Youth Races at Snodeo

 

 

 

Only 43 days until McCauley Mountain opens for the season. The mountain crews are finishing preparations, and the Polar Bear Ski Club volunteers are completing construction of the second yurt shelter. This new one is close to the entrance of the Nordic Trail System, and will serve the cross country races, just as the original yurt serves the alpine racers of the Polar Bear and Mohawk Valley ski clubs. It’s a fitting addition, and points up the strength of both race programs, which flourish in the shadow of local Olympian Louie Ehrensbeck. A veteran of two U.S. Olympic ski teams, Louie is at McCauley almost every day during the winter, a living example of skiing possibilities for young racers.

 

 

 

 

Youth Racer at McCauley