Yet some non-residents – near and far – have criticized the village of Lake Placid as being a place that has no small-town community spirit. They call it “Lake Plastic” and say this is only a place for rich people to play. To that, we say nonsense.

Anyone who has lived or worked in Lake Placid or spent any amount of time getting to know our year-round residents will have a different take on the situation. Deep down, this is a place of mom-and-pop shops and hard-working souls. Yes, the state of New York spends millions of dollars to upgrade and maintain the Olympic venues, but residents don’t take this for granted. They don’t sit back and wait for handouts. They make things happen. They beautify the village. They raise money for a variety of local causes. They take care of the young, the sick and the aging. They open their doors to visitors daily and host international events. They take care of their neighbors. Many who work here can’t afford to live here, but that doesn’t make them any less of a local.

Lake Placid is a thriving community. It is one that cares. And it is truly unique.

Proof of this can be found at events such as the Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series, held Tuesday nights in the summer at Mid’s Park. Here, you’ll find a park packed full of what makes Lake Placid so wonderful. The crowd is a mix of year-round and seasonal residents and visitors. People in canoes and kayaks paddle to the shoreline to hear the music while loons, Canada geese and ducks swim by.

Songs at Mirror Lake and the Wednesday night Lake Placid Sinfonietta park concerts are weekly celebrations of this community. Music is only the catalyst to bring us all together to appreciate this village, this lake, this park and each other. The real event is the coming together for a night of fun, and you can feel the community spirit in the air.