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Fulton County Outdoor Adventure Day – Saturday September 26th from 10am-4pm
Fulton County Adventure Day Scheduled for Saturday, September 26th
BROADALBIN: Fulton County Outdoor Adventure Day is a day to highlight the outdoor activities in Fulton County. It is a multiple venue event where you can find a table about hunting, fishing, boating, biking, antiquing, and many local artisans featuring handmade goods and fresh farm products.
It is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th for 10am-4pm, sponsored by Fulton County and www.44lakes.com
Fulton County Administrative Officer Jon Stead said, “The Fulton County region has beautiful landscapes and exceptional recreation for every level of interest. Fall is a great time to get your equipment, pick a date, and go explore.”
There are multiple venues to spread out the event to showcase what the Route 29 and Route 30 Corridor have to offer. Inaugural anchors will include: The Fulton County Visitor Center, Historic Hotel Broadablin, The Wildlife Museum, Adirondack Harley Davidson, Frank’s Gun Shop, SchoolHouse Antiques, and the Great Sacandaga Brewing Company.
Fulton County Outdoor Adventure Day is adhering to NY forward social distancing guidelines. Please bring a mask and please be mindful of the 6ft apart guideline. There will be hand sanitizer stations located throughout the event.
Anchor sites will have a passport map for the day. Visitors are encouraged to pick a passport up at any anchor site and use it as a guide for the day. Visit 5 out of 7 sites, and drop off at any location for a chance to win a $50 chamber check. There will be 4 chances to win.
Activities for the day include:
At the Fulton County Visitor Center (located 3687 Route 30- on the Route 29 and Route 30 Roundabout)
–Fulton County Sheriff- Outdoor safety
–Gloversville Police Department- Bike Safety and helmet raffle
–GSL Safe Lake Initiative- Boating Safety Advocacy
–Glen Cottage Farms- Flowers and Gardening tips
–Liz Argotsinger- demonstrating construction of a Quilt Barn Square
–Katie Rhodes- Co- owner of TogaNola, nature walk on the rail trail, hiking safety, responsible outdoor enthusiast chat. Katie and hiking partner Bethany just completed the first female unsupported thru-hike of all 46 high peaks.
–Slip Stream Watercraft- Outdoor & Sporting Goods company
–Sacandaga Valley Arts Network (SVAN) – Visitor Center Art Gallery open
–Howie Dingman and Harry Lewis- Hunting and fishing items for sale
–Bam Bam Jerky- 100% NY State raised organic grass fed beef jerky for sale
–Carl Jurica- Experienced Bee Keeper
–John Anadio- Hunting and Fishing Antique appraisals
–Bethy’s Barkery- dog bakery specializing in gourmet dog treats
–Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce
–Fulton County Scott Henze Planning Director
–2020 US Census Bureau
–Potter industries ,leather goods for sale
School House Antiques (3678 State Highway 30, Broadablin) will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary in business. Deals and specials will be advertised day of event.
Historic Hotel Broadalbin (59 West Main St, Broadablin) has the following vendors. The hotel restaurant will be open all day. Hotel Vendors are: Mama Be’s Honey Hot Sauce, Historic Hotel Broadalbin, Deb’s Treasures, Sam’s Signs, Ivory + Bow, Sharra’s Cupcakery, Toga Nola, Mud Rd Maple Sugar House, Peck’s Flowers,Planted organics, Saratoga Apple, Walkers Wicks, Peterson Farms, Queen Bee Bakery, Color Street, Gails Glasses , Goods From the Woods, Kristy’s Soaps, Sleepy Bear LLC, The Ash Tree Astrology, Pelican Bluff, and I’m not gunna get ticked. Tanya Defriest will be presenting on Lyme Disease Prevention. Katie Rhodes- Co- owner of TogaNola, will also be at the hotel speaking on safety, responsible outdoor enthusiast chat. Katie and hiking partner Bethany just completed the first female unsupported thru-hike of all 46 high peaks. Her company, TogaNola will also have a limited supply of free granola samples. A free pumpkin “face painting” g
PASSPORT FLYER Outdoor Palooza v.4iveaway by artist Nancy Murphy, and a free fall family picture taken by Local Focus Photography.
Hotel Broadalbin is also hosting a Virtual Fishing Tournament. The Sacandaga Showdown Fishing Tournament is $15 fee for open class. It is from 6am-2pm. Fish anywhere by boat or shore with the Fish Donkey smartphone App. Catch a fish, take a picture, send in measurements, and release. Prizes will be announced at the hotel at 3pm. Special thanks for Franks Gun Shop for prizes. Please see Historic Hotel Broadalbin’s Facebook page for FishDonkey link to register or go to tourney.fishdonkey.com to search for Sacandaga Showdown Fishing Tournament.
The Wildlife Museum (3747 State Highway 30, Broadalbin) is open and with every paid admission, you will receive a free raffle ticket for a rifle. Details at the museum on Saturday. The wildlife museum is an educational institution whose mission is to the promote public understanding and appreciation of traditions of hunting, fishing & trapping.
Great Sacandaga Brewing Company (3647 State Highway 30, Broadalbin), Adirondack Harley Davidson (106 Bellen Road Broadalbin), and Franks Gun Shop (3831 State Highway 30) are open for business and welcome your visit. Don’t forget to hand them your passport while you shop!
There will be live music throughout the day. Playing at the Visitor Center are the Backporch pickers (10a-12p), Mike Gowans(12p-2p) and George Spencer and Joe Ag (2p-4p). The hotel will feature 10a-12p Danny Lynaugh, 12p-2p Vinny Michaels, and 2p-4p Corry Loveday.
The Outdoor Adventure Day passport will include an additional list of local restaurants and shops to visit while you are in Vail Mills and Broadalbin.
Any questions please call Anne Boles, Director of Tourism Development at 518-725-0641, or email tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org. Please visit www.44lakes.com and our Facebook page, Visit Futon County, NY and like and share the event page for up-to-date details.
The Sacandaga Valley Arts Gallery and Gift Shop OPEN!
The Sacandaga Valley Arts Gallery and Gift Shop, located at 303 S. Main St. in Northville, opened with a new rotation of art, supplied by its organization’s artists, on July 3rd, according to Gallery Manager, Sandra Peters. Peters related, “We have taken steps to prepare the Gallery and Gift Shop for safe viewing of the arts and for gift shopping in compliance with New York State’s ‘Interim Guidance for Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency.’ With so many other venues closed and events canceled, we were hesitant to move forward, but after due consideration of our SVAN Board, we concurred that our venue poses a low risk opportunity for those in the Sacandaga Region who are looking for something to do, enjoy the arts, or want to shop for an original art gift.”
The SVAN Gallery & Gift Shop is open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday mornings. “SVAN artists will be available to assist visitors with questions about the art on display or to assist you with a purchase,” Peters related.
Johnson Hall Opens July 22
Johnson Hall State Historic Site will open for the 2020 season on Wednesday, July 22. In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the following health and safety guidelines will be in effect for the season:
- Guided tours will be given on Wednesdays through Sundays.
- Tours are by advance reservation by phone only. Visitors can call (518) 762-8712 from 9am to 4pm on Wednesday through Sunday to schedule.
- Tours will be limited to 5 people.
- Masks must be worn by all visitors inside the buildings, and social distancing observed.
- Access into the buildings will be controlled by staff. Visitors should arrive no sooner than 10 minutes prior to their tour to enter the stonehouse to pay their admission.
- The museum shop will be available to visitors following their tour.
Interpretive signs throughout the grounds of Johnson Hall detail the historic structures and features that were once part of the estate. Social distancing should be practiced by visitors on the grounds.
Johnson Hall was the 1763 English Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant. Johnson was the largest single landowner and most influential individual in the colonial Mohawk Valley. His success in dealing with the Six Nations had a lasting impact on their relationship with the English, and largely influenced England’s victory in the Anglo-French struggle for control of colonial North America. Today, the main house and flanking stonehouses, originally surrounded by a 700-acre farm, interpret Sir William and Molly Brant’s family life through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in historic Johnstown, just off West State Street (State Highway 29 West). For more information, write JohnsonHall@parks.ny.gov or visit www.facebook.com/johnsonhallstatehistoricsite.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
The NY State Parks Explorer mobile app is now live!
NEWS: The NY State Parks Explorer mobile app is now live! Available for both iOS and Android, this free app provides key info about destinations, activities and adventures all in one place. Discover must-see locations and enjoy quick access to directions, hours, trail maps, and helpful know-before-you go details. Download today!
Apple Store: http://ow.ly/pzGL30qV56f
Google Play: http://ow.ly/PrI630qV54O
Large Firework Shows Cancelled for Upcoming 4th of July Holiday Weekend
Farmer’s Market at the Broadalbin Visitor Center, Starting Friday June 26th at 3pm-6pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BROADALBIN: The Fulton Montgomery Farmers Market Association will be holding a Farmers Market in Broadalbin this summer, starting tomorrow- Friday June 26th. The market will be every Friday from 3pm-6pm, until September. It will be at the Visitor Center in Broadalbin on the roundabout of Route 29 and Route 30.
Opening day will host 5 vendors: Beyond Your Garden Corp. is a family run operation out of North Broadalbin that grows perennials and shrubs for residential and commercial landscapes. Damin Farm is a second generation dairy, meat and produce farm located in the Mohawk Valley. We offer beef, pork, chicken,5 varieties of sauerkraut, jams, and seasonal vegetables in the summer. Gramma’s Cookies 4 You is a New York State certified home manufacturer of homemade cookies, and confections. Gray’s Garden and Greenhouse is a seasonal business selling annual flowers, perennial flowers, hanging baskets, vegetable plants, and herbs Jammin Juice Bar is a beverage vendor with fresh made lemonade, smoothies, fruit smashers, shaved ice, slushies, fresh brewed cold teas and coffee, and milk shakes. Milburt Farm & Greenhouse is a locally owned grower of bedding plants, flowers, cut flowers, mums, herbs and perennials.
In July, Dan’s Berries Fresh and Hu-Hill Farm Store will be attending. The market will continue to grow throughout the summer.
It is important to note that vendors will be practicing social distancing guidelines set out by NY State so please keep at least a 6ft distance from our other patrons and respect the space of vendors. Hand sanitizers will be available.
Fulton Montgomery Farmers Market Association and the Fulton County Tourism Department would like to thank Warren Greene and the Board of Supervisors for supporting this new endeavor.
The Sacandaga Series with Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and the Fulton County Historical Society
The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter and the Fulton County Historical Society are teaming up to present a virtual two program series. On July 8th at 6:30pm, Schoharie Crossing Education Director David Brooks will present “15 Miles on the Sacandaga Canal? – The Canal Craze,” discussing the construction and success of the Erie Canal and the subsequent “canal craze” that sparked the idea of a Great Sacandaga Canal.
On July 15th at 6:30pm, Fulton County Historical Society Executive Director Samantha Hall-Saladino will present “Sacandaga Soiree: Tides and Tourism,” exploring the tourism boom on the Great Sacandaga Lake from the 1940s to the present.
These programs will be presented virtually via Webex. The links to join the presentations can be found online at fultoncountyhistoricalsociety.org and on the Schoharie Crossing and FCHS Facebook pages.
2020 DEC campground update!
DEC Announces 20 Campgrounds and Day Use Areas to Open June 19!
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 06/17/2020 01:41 PM EDT
Additional DEC Campground Openings to be Announced Soon for Summer 2020 SeasonCampers Encouraged to Follow Guidelines to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 While Enjoying Beauty of Adirondacks and CatskillsThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that 20 of DEC’s campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill parks will open on June 19 for the 2020 season. Three additional campgrounds are slated to open June 26, and additional DEC campgrounds and day use areas will open in the coming weeks as DEC works to safely reopen these facilities to meet guidelines in place to protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19. To maintain social distancing and reduce the density of facilities and protect visitors, DEC is not accepting additional reservations or walk-in camping for the 2020 season at this time. Existing reservations will be honored for the DEC campgrounds listed below. DEC Campgrounds to Open June 19:Adirondack Park Campgrounds and Day Use Areas
Catskill Park Campgrounds and Day Use Areas
Campgrounds to Open June 26:
For information about campgrounds operated by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation visit NYS Parks camping webpage. Campground SafetyAccording to the NYForward guidance (leaves DEC’s website) for the reopening of New York State, campgrounds must take precautions to ensure campers maintain appropriate social distancing and adhere to proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols, including but not limited to maintaining six feet of distance between campers, unless wearing an acceptable face covering, and excluding persons from the same household who are camping together. Visit Reserve America for details. DEC has temporarily stopped issuing permits for backcountry camping for groups of 10 or more. As of June 11, DEC resumed issuing permits for groups of fewer than 10 people who would like to stay for more than three nights at one location on state lands. DEC is also temporarily restricting lean-to use to members of a single household at a time. Visiting New York State’s Public Lands during the COVID-19 ResponseNew York State is encouraging people to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. New York State DEC and State Parks recommendations for getting outside safely incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. While enjoying outdoor spaces, please continue to follow the CDC/NYSDOH’s guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:
DEC and State Parks also encourage visitors to state parks and state lands, and other parks to:
DEC Hiring Campground StaffDEC is seeking seasonal campground staff with all levels of experience and skill sets, including supervisors, security, maintenance, and cleaning staff, and booth workers. If interested, please send an email to campinfo@dec.ny.gov. |
Tourism Department updating local Attractions listings
We are looking to update local Tourist Attractions in the county and need your help.
If you are a local attraction, please Click Here to complete the Tourism Facility Profile Sheet and
email to: tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org.
DEC Announces 2020 “I Bird NY” Challenges
I Bird NY Encourages New Yorkers of All Ages, Abilities, and Backgrounds to Enjoy Birding
Visit AdventureAtHome to Learn How to Start Birding from Your Yard or Living Room
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the start of the 2020 “I BIRD NY” challenges for beginner and experienced birders. The I BIRD NY program was launched by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2017, to build on the State’s efforts to increase access to New York’s vast natural resources and promote low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature.
“No matter where you live, birding can be enjoyed by New Yorkers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds,” DEC Commissioner Seggos said. “With the arrival of spring migratory birds and warmer weather, June is the perfect time of year to enjoy birdwatching close to home. I BIRD NY is just one of DEC’s ongoing efforts to engage New Yorkers who may not have spent time enjoying nature in the past, but who realize the excitement of getting outdoors and experiencing the abundant wildlife around us. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outside for a nature break is more important than ever and DEC will continue to encourage new and experienced naturalists alike to participate safely and responsibly in birding and other outdoors activities.”
Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. Backyard birding, or watching birds around the home, is the most common way people engage in birding. New York State is home to a wide range of habitats that support more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. In New York, there are also 59 designated Bird Conservation Areas to safeguard and enhance bird populations and habitats on State lands and waters across the state. The State’s I Bird NY program provides resources for New Yorkers who would like to get outdoors and engage in birding all year long.
The joy of birdwatching is experienced by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, enjoying birds can be done without any special equipment. DEC is hosting its annual I Bird NY Beginner’s Birding Challenge (PDF), which is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. To complete the Beginner’s Birding Challenge, participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC. Entries can be mailed or emailed. All participants in this challenge will receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories.
In addition to the Beginner’s Birding Challenge, DEC is offering the I Bird NY Experienced Birder Challenge (PDF). To complete the challenge, birders of any age must identify at least 10 different bird species found across New York State. All participants in this challenge will also receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a drawing for birding accessories.
Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year’s challenge sheets as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming bird walks, and other events, a downloadable Beginner’s Guide to Birding (PDF) (also available in Spanish), and additional resources.
“A silver lining in these challenging times is that more people are tuning in to the joy of birds. The ‘I Bird NY’ challenge offers a unique opportunity for people of any age, ability, or location to try birding,” said Audubon New York Executive Director Ana Paula Tavares. “We encourage everyone to look outside with fresh eyes. Share what you see, tell others about it, submit data to eBird, and play a role in making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all people and wildlife.”
Also starting this year, five years of field surveys are being conducted by volunteers and project partners to provide data that will be analyzed to create the third New York State Breeding Bird Atlas. Similar to the 2020 Census to track human populations and trends, the Breeding Bird Atlas is a valuable tool to help protect birds and their habitat. To participate, volunteers can make a free eBird account and submit data online through the atlas website (leaves DEC’s website) or via the eBird mobile app. Simply record the species and any breeding behaviors observed. All sightings can count. As observations are reported, data can be viewed on the atlas website (leaves DEC’s website).
While enjoying the outdoors, please continue to follow the CDC/NYSDOH’s guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:
- Stay home if you are sick, or showing or feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and/or troubled breathing
- Practice social distancing. Keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others even when outdoors
- Wear a mask when you cannot maintain social distancing
- Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, kissing, or sharing equipment like binoculars
- Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available
#AdventureAtHome: Looking for an at-home adventure? DEC is featuring special #AdventureAtHome content, and on Facebook and Instagram, with new, live specials, videos, and at-home tools and games for New Yorkers who are homebound or cannot go far for a nature break. Visit #Adventureathome.
In addition, the National Audubon Society is celebrating Pride Month with “Let’s Go Birding Together” virtual events. These events allow those who identify as LGBTQ, allies, families, and anyone to experience an inclusive activity linking them to birds and the natural world.