It looks like spring in Lake George, but it sounds like Americade.
“We’ve been watching and hearing motorcycles going by our offices since I got here this morning at 9 a.m.,” Amanda Metzger said on Wednesday. “It helps to have blue sky, finally … it’s a constant rumble right now.”
Motorcycle fans are ready to rumble: The 35th Americade – one of the largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rallies in the country – began Monday and continues through Saturday. Rides through the Adirondacks, motorcycle parades, steamship cruises, vintage cycle displays, fireworks and a concert by southern rockers Molly Hatchet are among the highlights.
Metzger, marketing director for the Lake George Chamber of Commerce, said rooms are still available. Vacancies at 24 motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts and resorts are listed at the chamber’s website.
Tickets for the Molly Hachet show – Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Lake George Festival Commons in Charles R. Wood Park – are also still available. Hatchet men and women are asked to buy tickets by accessing the Festival Commons site.
People who are not motoring may be watching the big machines.
“It’s a lot of fun, it’s really cool seeing the different bikes and seeing how some are customized and decorated,” Metzger said. “The crowd is fantastic. There are really a lot of nice people, interesting riders, who come here every year. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Social hobby are friendship are the key words. Rebellious sons of anarchy are generally not in the mix for Americade.
“It’s not the place for shows of speed, hostile attitudes or illegally loud bikes,” reads the Americade website.
The first Lake George party, called “Aspencade East,” took place in May 1983. Organizer Bill Dutcher borrowed the name, with permission, from the “Aspencade” rally in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Two thousands cycle fans showed up for the 1983 events at the Roaring Brook Ranch and Glens Falls Civic Center. By 1986, the name had been changed to “Americade.” More than 100,000 people now attend.
The 2017 “Americade” includes
THURSDAY
- Ross Bennett Comedy Show, 8 p.m., Fort William Henry Towers Hall.
- Light parade, 9:30 p.m., Lake George village.
FRIDAY
- Charity poker run, 9:30 a.m., Roaring Brook Ranch.
- Cone course training, 5 p.m., Fort William Henry demonstration area.
- The Grift, music concert, 8:30 p.m., Festival Commons.
- Ghost tour, 9 p.m., Fort William Henry Museum.
- Fireworks over Lake George, 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
- Parade in Lake George, 11 a.m.
- Major door prizes, 12:30 p.m., Lake George steamboat dock.
- Commander Cody Band and the Mallett Brothers Band, 7 p.m., Festival Commons.
- Molly Hatchet, 9 p.m., Festival Commons.
- Comedian Alonzo Bodden of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, 9 p.m., Fort William Henry Towers Hall.
Reach Gazette reporter Jeff Wilkin at 395-3124, at [email protected] or @jeffwilkin1 on Twitter.
Categories: Life and Arts
