Think Lake George is a ghost town after Labor Day? Think again. Thousands lined the mile stretch of Canada Street between Birch Avenue and Mountain Drive last night to admire and cheer a steady stream of chrome, steel and thundering exhaust systems. The 27th Annual Adirondack Nationals car show took over the Village with a spectacular display of restored and customized pre-1980 automobiles. Everything from elegant classics to steroid-injected muscle cars were represented among the 2,000-plus vehicles on display.
The event, hosted by Albany Rods & Kustoms, has become one of the Northeast’s premier car shows. In addition to boasting a beautiful location at the Southern tip of Lake George, spectators get to see the vehicles in action as registered vehicles drive the main drag in the three-hour Night Car Cruise. This year’s cruise route followed last year’s, with the stream of vehicles parading up and down Canada Street.
Prior to last year, the Cruise exited Canada Street at Beach Road, leaving the stretch of Canada Street to the south vacant and prone to mischief. The area became a drag strip where car owners would show off their horsepower, burning rubber and spinning donuts, encouraged by the throngs on the sidewalks. For months after the show, the road would be streaked with curving black marks made by smoking tires.
Concerns after the 2013 show that an out-of-control vehicle could cause serious injury to spectators prompted the change in the parade route. Organizers warned registrants that unsafe driving would not be tolerated. Drivers that did not comply would have their show registration revoked, and they would be banned from future participation in the car show.
While most vehicle owners observed the burnout ban, the sound of revving engines and spinning wheels followed by clouds of smoke were not completely eliminated. Some spectators appeared to seek the lawlessness of past shows. One man was observed holding a “Burnouts 4 Merica” sign, which, when a Warren County Sheriff’s patrol car approached, was flipped over to reveal a different message, “Drive slow, be safe.”
Despite the large crowd and street closures to accommodate the 7 to 10 p.m. cruise, the Village managed to avoid traffic gridlock. Traffic moved smoothly one block west of the cruise route along Ottawa street with Street Department employees directing traffic and helping drivers locate open parking spaces. While most public parking spots were filled by 5 p.m., area churches, private businesses and some homeowners offered parking, priced between $5 and $20, to accommodate visitors.
The Adirondack Nationals Car Show continues through Sunday morning. Tonight’s cruise begins at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Fireworks will follow. Admission to the car show, which is based at the Fort William Henry Hotel on Canada Street, is $10. Admission allows attendees to view cars and visit vendors on the hotel grounds and at the Festival Commons in Charles R. Wood Park. Proceeds from this year’s car show will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to arrive early. Canada Street (Route 9) will be closed between Birch Avenue and Mountain Drive by 6 p.m.