A press release from Lake George Village officials advises “residents and visitors to avoid traveling to the Village during Friday and Saturday of the Adirondack Nationals Car Show.” The show opens Thursday Sept. 9, and is organized by the Albany Rods and Kustoms car club. It has been held in the village many years.
“The Village, Sheriff’s Department and members of the Albany Rods & Kustoms are doing our best to limit the inconveniences and curtail the unsafe vehicle operations we have seen in the past,” Mayor Bob Blais said in the release. “We apologize to our residents and visitors but find these steps necessary to insure a safe, enjoyable special event that is a great economic boost to the area.”
The statement was off-putting, but it was no mistake, Blais said in an interview today.
"This is a polite way of reminding the average family visitor that this is car show weekend," Mayor Blais said. For people who do not like custom cars and the noise that comes with them, this is no time to visit.
The highlight for hot rod fans is the Friday and Saturday night “cruise,” a three-hour, slow-roll parade of custom and antique cars around the village. The parade shuts down sections of Canada Street and Beach Road. Blais said some spectators can get very loud. They get drunk. They pour bleach onto the roadway because it smokes under a spinning tire. They stand on cars and scream for drivers to burn rubber. "They have no redeeming value," Blais said.
Some people have shown up in past years without any idea the event was happening, Blais said. They complain about noise and the blocked or stopped traffic. It’s a balancing act to make sure the event goes smoothly while keeping people away if they do not want to be a part of the event, the mayor said. “I’m being practical, and I'm being the mayor.”
Last year, although the event was cancelled due to COVID, drivers showed up anyway, and smoked the tires up and down Canada Street. In a Post-Star story, Blais called it "mayhem." However, he said the aim of this year's press release was really to warn average families.
Kathy Flacke Muncil, CEO of the Fort William Henry Corp. which is a sponsor of the car show, said a bit of clarity might be needed. They certainly want guests and visitors to come, she said.
She added that she thought the release, which also suggests that people “arrive early” because of limited parking, was aimed at making sure the people who see the event, enjoy it.
“That's a sane and wonderful way to watch the cars," she said, referring to the cruises. Because of the strict rules governing the cruises, "There's a safety in having the cruise take place."
The Adriondack National’s Car Show web site says the cruises, which run 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, are open only to participants who display a sticker on the car; and drivers may not “burn out,” use “rapid acceleration” or reach “imprudent speed.”
People who do this risk having their participant stickers revoked now and into the future, the site says. Both Blais and Muncil said this was also their understanding. It was Blais' understanding that the car show organizers are trying to maintain their solid reputation. Albany Rods and Kustoms did not respond to a late call asking for a response.
Blais said the people in the show and the organizers with Albany Rods and Kustoms are great people. It’s some of the visitors who act poorly.
The event runs Thursday through Sunday. The Adirondack Nationals Car Show webs site says registration is full.
According to the press release:
- parking is extremely limited each day after 12p.m.
- visitors should download the ParkMobile app to pay for parking before coming to the village.
- Street closures from 6pm-10p.m. Friday and Saturday night include: Canada Street from Mountain Drive to Mohican Street and the Beach Road to the Million Dollar Beach.
- Warren County Sheriff will also limit access to Canada Street both evenings to residents, motel guests, employees and business patrons. Be prepared to show your driver’s license or motel key.