Adirondack Nationals 2025-The World Is Changing

For over 35 years, I have been coming to the Adirondack Nationals. All the way back to the Glens Falls days. For nearly 70 years, I have been coming to the Adirondacks (My dad was born in Canton, and my grandfather ran a CCC camp in Gore Mountain when my mom was just a child). I love this area. I love this show. I have watched it grow.  

Coming To The Adirondacks

As always, I come to this area this year, bringing family, meeting up with friends, and making new ones along the way. 

I am a loyalty guy. If I like something, I go to it and try to be part of the solution, rather than a voice of dissent. When I have had a criticism, I have sent actual letters with possible solutions to the club, the town, and the chamber. I want to hang in there.

I live in New Hampshire. I attend shows in the New Hampshire area. (I will be at my first Massachusetts show in years at the end of the month.)I haven’t been to a Vermont show in years, though my grandson hits some of the shows, including the EuroBuilt and RAVE show in Rutland. We had planned on Syracuse Nationals this year, but a family member was diagnosed with cancer, and life changed.

Over the years, I have produced my share of shows and events. And not just in the car show world. They require planning, hard work, and a boatload of volunteers.

The World Is Changing

Looking back over the years, I have witnessed the world’s shift in people’s opinions and expectations. We seem to have embraced the YELP mentality in every area of life. Over the years, I have witnessed the world’s attitudes and expectations evolve to new levels of negativity and disdain. (I have also found there is a whole world of kindness if we take the time to look. ) 

I can tell you that rare is the event that meets everyone’s expectations. And the larger a show, the more voices of diversity arise. Social media has given people a voice, and the tech industry feeds off that, even letting bots run wild to cause controversy. 

Over the years, I have witnessed a growing dissent surrounding this show. And I genuinely believe that car guys and gals are the best. They are benevolent, charitable, and pretty much all want the same thing. So, yes, it bothers me.  

I get it’s not the 60s. (My first ticket came at 16 and included 32 different violations, and my second was for 18 violations.) I loved speed, I loved noise, and I loved smoke! I found tracks and racing. I understand not everyone likes muscle cars and classics.

The sound of loud motors and screeching tires still makes my heart pump. 

The World Is Changing. Are We?

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a promoter of a show in my area, and we discussed that if the people were going to be so negative and complain about things. Why do it? See, that is my concern. Instead of working together for solutions, I can see the very things that drew us together being removed.  

I do not know the folks directly involved with the Adirondack Nationals, but as mentioned before, I have been coming here for a L-O-N-G time. I imagine it is a group of people who like cars, and this may have become like trying to catch a tiger by the tail.  

A friend of mine, many years ago, asked me to join him and pull together a large show. Car giveaway, fireworks, vendors, entertainment, and more. Everyone volunteered, and it was hard work. (The bill for police was over $10K.) 

Last night I was out on the street with my daughter and grandchildren. I love the cars, the smoke, the smell of gasoline (To quote my granddaughter.), the noise, and the people.  

Could this show here in Lake George be better? Always. But who does it? Who is going to put the energy into it? If the show went away, I would be sad. I like the Lake George area. I come here several times a year, just to get away. I would like it to have continued success. 

Congratulations on Your Middle Age

To the folks who put on the show, I commend you. Even at nearly 40 years, I imagine the growing pains of insurance and legal, alone are tough. And many think you manage the weather as well! 😊 Your people are great. Thank you! 

Thank you for all the great volunteers, and all the effort you put into this show long before the gates open. You are rockstars in my book.

To the dissenters, when we don’t like something, we can fix it or not participate. 

I look forward to more years of this show.  

You can follow us on Facebook (Loading thousands of pictures from this show.), Instagram (I am not as good at that as I ought to be.) TikTok (When I think about it.) and Twitter, almost never!