The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival returns to the Festival Commons in Wood Park June 25 and 26. The event is a showcase of New York wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, artisan food vendors, food trucks and more. This is the sixth year for the Festival, which was launched in 2015 but took a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. Government officials, business representatives, members of the press and festival organizers gathered at Wood Park Tuesday afternoon for a press event that celebrated the festival’s return.
“Throughout the pandemic,” says Gina Mintzer, Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, “the Wine and Food Festival team spent months, and I mean months, agonizing whether they should host a major event that could be a super-spreader or could completely tank. They put safety above profits, and in doing so, you will learn, that this year is going to be bigger than ever as visitors and winery fans will be coming to the Lake George Area in droves.”
The Festival is a try-before-you-buy event. As Sasha Pardy, Owner of Adirondack Festivals, LLC and co-owner of the Festival’s presenting sponsor, Adirondack Winery, explains, “People will be trying before they buy the products that over 120 vendors produce. This also includes things like meaderies and kombucha and honey and maple syrup and chocolate and cheese and ice cream…the list goes on and on and on.” Of course, “Wine is always number one at Adirondack Winery,“ and there will be “more wine than you can ever imagine. Thousands of wines will be here.”
Local chefs and mixologists will give demonstrations and compete in Iron Chef-style competitions at the Culinary and Mixology tent. The Fun Spot is sponsoring a Kid’s Activity Tent and roaming entertainers will be on the grounds.
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Big Brothers Big sisters of the Southern Adirondacks. “Small businesses are important but also giving back to our community, being part of the community, is really important and this is just a great example of that,” Says New York Assemblyman Matt Simpson.
Marie Busse, Development Coordinator of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks spoke about how this impacts local children: “We have over 140 kids on our waitlist wanting to be matched. The funds raised through this event will help local children facing adversity to be paired with a role model that will encourage them to see futures for themselves that are beyond what they previously thought possible.” This will be the third time BBBS is a festival beneficiary.
New York Senator Dan Stec, Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais and Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson also spoke at the press event each heralding the success of the festival and the Festival Commons as an event venue.
“Who doesn’t like wine or food? This is the week to come to Lake George.” — Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais
Adirondack Wine & Food Festival 2022 Ticket Information:
• One-Day General Admission Tasting Ticket: $45 Saturday, $40 on Sunday.
Includes sampling at all booths, a souvenir wine glass, a reusable eco-friendly bag, use
of the Drop-Off / Pick-Up Tent and a program guide.
• Weekend Warrior 2-Day Tasting Ticket: $75 (an $85 value!).
Includes all perks of a General Admission Ticket, but with access to both days of
the festival!
• VIP 2-Day Tasting Ticket: $99 (a $170 value!).
Includes everything in the Weekend Warrior Ticket, plus 1-hour early entry on both days, the
ability to skip the General Admission entry line when you arrive, exclusive front-row seats
at the Culinary Tent (with free food & cocktail samples, while supplies last). Also includes
a 6-bottle reusable wine tote, a collectible sticker, a wine glass holder necklace, a
bottle of Saratoga Spring Water, a 10% discount on festival merchandise, VIP discounts
at participating vendor booths and a coupon book with $300+ in savings. VIP Cabanas
– which were available at added cost – have sold out for the event.
• One-Day Designated Driver / Underage Ticket: $15.
Includes sampling from artisan food vendors, a reusable eco-friendly bag, a program, a
bottle of water and a souvenir wine glass. Children age 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
Pardy encourages people to purchase their tickets early saying that tickets are selling quickly and they expect Saturday tickets will be sold out before the weekend. Tickets may be purchased online at the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival website.
The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park is at 17 Elizabeth Little Blvd. (West Brook Road) in Lake George, New York. Festival hours are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Metered parking ($2 per hour) is available on the streets and in public parking lots surrounding Wood Park.
Feature photo: Government officials and business representatives toast the return of the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival at a June 21 press event. Pictured (L-R) Gina Mintzer, Dan Stec, Sasha Pardy, Matt Simpson, Robert Blais.