Americade returns to Lake George for the 41st year

According to Americade Director Christian Dutcher, this year there will be a record number of motorcycle demonstrations, exhibitions and motorcycle companies.

“That’s more than we’ve ever had in our 41-year history, more than any other motorcycle event in the country,” Dutcher said. “I’m amazed we were able to get them all together here.” We have live music on Beach Road. Our exhibition is probably the biggest in the last 10 years, so we are very excited about it.

This year, Americade will feature comedy shows, boat cruises, a rodeo, motorcycle demonstrations, stunt shows, discussions and much more.

Dutcher believes Americade is an unusual event in that it is a week-long event during the shoulder season that draws an unusually high number of heads and beds to the region.

“The crowd size is in the tens of thousands,” Dutcher said. “It is difficult to know what the final figure will be until after the event, and even then we rely on police estimates.”

Americade is a big deal for the region, said Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce. People who come to Americade stay in area hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop here, she said.

“The business impact is huge,” Mintzer said. “It’s not just about business coming here, but Americade also spends a lot of money on fencing and port-a-johns, there are other economic impacts that happen because it’s here. “

Sam Luciano, president of Fort William Henry Corporation, says Americade is a community staple. The Fort William Henry Corporation hosts many Americade events and demonstrations throughout the week and has been a part of the event since the beginning.

“Events like this help businesses get the capital needed to get started, purchase inventory and hire staff at the start of the season,” Luciano said. “Without them, everything is delayed. »

Drivers and motorcyclist enthusiasts come from here and elsewhere to attend the Américade. The annual event officially kicked off Tuesday evening with the opening celebration, and festivities are scheduled each day through Saturday.

Anna and Jerry Cormier traveled to Americade for the first time this year from Toronto, Canada.

“It’s a nice place. We had friends, so we decided to come,” Jerry Cormier said.

While some tourists like the Cormiers are making their first appearance at Americade, other motorcyclists like Peter Sanders have been coming for decades. Sanders said he has been coming to Americade for 20 years.

“I stay in Brant Lake, and it’s great to get away from it all, very relaxing,” Sanders said.

Eric McConnell travels to Lake George every year for Americade from Georga. He said the best part was seeing old friends and going for walks.

“I’ve been coming for about 10, 12 years,” McConnell said. “It’s a great place, a great time, it gets better every year, that’s for sure.”

Visit americade.com for an overview of events, days and times.