It’s an old-fashioned country fair style day with music, food, drink and children’s games. Plus, most of the community’s civic organizations will be there to answer questions, hand out literature, sign up volunteers and explain how they contribute to the community.

“We do so many things for the world here,” said Lake Placid Community Day Planning Committee Chair Valerie Abraham-Rogers. “We don’t really do a lot just for us, just for the community. And that’s what this day is really about, just being able to go out, have a good time, enjoy your neighbors, enjoy your friends and not worry about putting on something for somebody else.”

And admission is free. That includes the picnic-style lunch – with hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes and drinks – and music, which will be provided by Big Boss Sausage and Maribyrd.

“The goal when we started this, we wanted people to be able to show up without a dime in their pocket, have something to eat, have something to drink, have a good time and just enjoy the day,” Abraham-Rogers said.

Community Day was designed to celebrate everyone who contributes to life in the village of Lake Placid and town of North Elba. That includes full-time and seasonal residents, the people who work in the town and village but live in other North Country communities and the people who volunteer for the many events here.

“We really want to make sure that anybody that lives, works or volunteers in this community is invited to this day,” Abraham-Rogers said. “That’s all of the staff members, anybody that works at any of the establishments; they’re the backbone of this community. Without these people, we wouldn’t have what we have here. … It really is about bringing the whole community together.”

Three main sponsors support the Lake Placid Community Day and Picnic: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, state Olympic Regional Development Authority and Ironman Lake Placid. In addition, Summit Lacrosse, Lions Club and Rotary Club contribute funding, and local businesses donate items for the gift bags handed to the volunteers of the year.

During the afternoon, one adult and one teen will be given the Lake Placid/North Elba Distinguished Volunteer of the Year award.

We were impressed with the first Lake Placid Community Day and Picnic last year. It’s a time to take a break before the madness of summer and celebrate what makes this community so great: its people. We encourage you to stop by.