The Adirondack Nationals Car Show in Lake George. I have been going to this show for 40 years and it is my favorite. Not just because of the cars, and the thousands of cars cruising the main drag, called Canada Street.
I am a car guy. Since I was “knee high to a grasshopper” I all too often, live, breathe and talk cars. And my grandson, Jacob, makes me look like I am just scratching the surface.
I love this show because I love the Adirondacks. I have been coming here for over 68 years. I have canoed, boated, hiked, and driven these roads on bikes and cars. There is something about the mountain air, the beauty of the mountains, and the shining, crystal clear lakes. I have fished and hunted since I was a youngster.
What is it about this show that makes it different? Perhaps it is the sheer number of amazing cars on display. (The only bigger show in the Northeast is the Syracuse Nationals.) Could it be, you wandering around the historic Fort William Henry, where shining cars are looking over the lake.
Perhaps it is the “black line” hill, where cars light it up, smoke hovers in the air, and drivers wonder if this will be the time they get a ticket. Possibly it’s the rows of chairs on Canada Street, watching the cars cruise by. The rumble of exhaust, the shriek of tires, the shifting of gears, and the cheers on the sidewalks.
I love looking at the different cars, with glistening paints or the rat rods with no paint and rust, and admiring the pictures of the transformations and restorations. Crazy tires, engine installs, shimmering chrome, and smiling faces.
For the next few days, I will be in downtown Lake George. Folding chairs, a cooler, and my cameras. People will talk and admire the cars. Little kids will put their fingers in their ears as cars rumble by. My grandkids will be on the edge of the parking spaces, getting pictures of their favorite cars.
A lot of these cars have identities, and people embrace them. For instance, the Lake George Family Truckster, a copy cat of Chevy Chase’s Vacation movie. Or Pop Pop’s Clown Posse, a couple of guys with green roadsters, wearing their clown costumes. (Though I saw that this is their last year.)
There will be trophies, but more importantly, there will be conversations and camaraderie—friendships forged over the hoods of old cars, as we share thoughts and ideas.
That is where I will be. In the midst of it all. Camera in hand. Family at my side.
And at the end of the day, we will return to our rented home. There will be revisits of cars and conversations. Snacks and desserts. And preparations made for the next day.
Our mornings are usually homemade breakfasts and coffee, figuring out the day’s plans, and another day is on tap.
This show runs from Thursday at noon until Sunday afternoon. There are cars, food, music, and fun! It supports the North Country Honor Flight organization.
This year, builder Bill Carlton will be there.
If you haven’t been to Lake George, go! And if you haven’t been to a large car show this is a great one to begin with.
Tuesday, we will be headed. This is a family who loves Lake George and cars!
