As the skies clear and a mid-July weekend approaches, area visitors and residents alike will be entertained by numerous fun events and cultural offerings this coming weekend.

Take a drive over to The Adirondack Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths to check out their Birds of Prey Demonstration with Mark Manske. Spend Saturday afternoon immersed in the lives of birds of prey. Mark Manske of Adirondack Raptors will have live birds on hand from 1:00 to 3:00 PM to describe the amazing lives of hawks and owls. Mr. Manske usually brings a Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, and Harris Hawk for these informative and popular demonstrations. The best part: it’s FREE! Before or after, take a hike around the great trails at the VIC for some possible wildlife sightings. A family of Beavers live in the pond, so you might get lucky and see one!

On the way to or returning from the VIC, stop at nearby Paul Smiths College and check out the 34th Annual Wooden Canoe Heritage Association Annual Assembly. This is a gathering of wood canoe enthusiasts who display over 250 wooden canoes. It’s packed with programs for adults and kids and includes presentations by experts on wood canoe history, paddling, skills, canoe building and restoration, vendors and much more. Check out the video above of the 2011 gathering. This should be an awesome event for paddling fans!

On Saturday the 13th, don’t miss Saranac Lake’s 2nd Annual Village Wide Garage Sale. Free maps are available at local businesses as well as the Garage Sale Center in Riverside Park. Saranac Lake also offers many cultural happenings this weekend, from gallery shows to theatrical presentations at Pendragon Theatre. And don’t forget the Farmers Markets! There’s a market practically every day of the week in some community around the region. Saranac Lake is Saturday in Riverside Park if you happen to find yourself there over the weekend. 

Check out our events calendar for lots more and hopefully we’ll see you around the mountains sometime this week!