After a one-year hiatus, the American Music Festival is returning to Lake George this Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1. The festival traditionally is an autumn event, but this year it has been moved to the weekend leading up to Independence Day. Another change is the cost. Admission both days of the festival is free. The American Music Festival is held on the Festival Commons in Charles R. Wood Park on West Brook Road.
Country singer Jamie Lee Thurston, a Vermont native who now calls Nashville home, will headline Saturday’s lineup of modern country artists. Alt-country/Americana dominates Sunday with Amy Helm headlining. Helm is the daughter of Levon Helm, drummer for The Band. Gates open at noon; shows begin at 1 p.m. with the headliners taking the stage at 4 p.m.
The American Music Festival debuted in September 2014 launching the Festival Commons as Lake George’s newest outdoor venue. The first festival featured New Riders of the Purple Sage, Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Girls Guns and Glory (who are returning to the festival this year) and the Claire Lynch Band. Approximately 2,500 attended the first show and subsequent editions of the festival saw attendance numbers grow. The 2015 festival drew a crowd to see The Voice Season 8 winner Sawyer Fredericks and 2016 headlined Blue Öyster Cult.
2018 American Music Festival Lineup
Saturday, June 30
Sunday, July 1
“The free admission,” says festival promoter Robert Millis in a press release, “is our way of saying ‘thanks’ to the Lake George region for helping launch us into the multi-faceted music-production and arts-advisory business we’ve become.” In addition to the American Music Festival, Millis has brought talent to Lake George for the Americade Concert Series, which became a two-day block party in the middle of Canada Street earlier this month.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for seating. The forecast is for hot and sunny weather. Umbrellas, small tents and canopies will be allowed on the festival grounds. (There are no trees on the Commons to provide shade.) Re-entry will be allowed. The grounds are a short walk to the State Beach and all the attractions of Lake George Village. Food and beverage vendors, including Mean Max Brew Works, will be on site.