Welcome to the Second Annual

Adirondack Nature Festival
for People with Disabilities

Connecting all people with nature.

Become a Vendor
Sponsor Us

The Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities

Location

Paul Smith’s College VIC

Date

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Time

10am – 4pm

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Who is a person with a disability?

A person with a disability is an individual who faces limitations in performing everyday activities due to physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health impairments. Disabilities can manifest in various forms and degrees, ranging from mobility challenges, such as difficulty walking or using stairs, to sensory impairments like blindness or deafness, to cognitive or developmental disabilities such as autism or intellectual disabilities.

It’s essential to understand that disabilities can be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent, and they can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Moreover, disabilities can impact not only a person’s physical abilities but also their social interactions, employment opportunities, and access to services and resources.

About the Festival

The second annual Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities is an accessible event that connects all individuals with nature through a variety of activities, arts, and music.

Our festival is organized by a committee of volunteers with support from Paul Smith’s Visitior Interpretive Center, Adirondack Riverwalking, Accessible Adirondack Tourism, Adirondack Website Design, and many other people, and organizations throughout the Adirondack region.

All are welcome! Whether you are a person with a disability, a member of our community, or want to show support for the broad disability community, there are programs for everyone. Come join us!

The festival will not charge for admission to visitors and free transportation options are available from Malone and Saranac Lake.

Free Transportation Options
More About the Festival

The second annual
festival for people with disabilities
in the Adirondack region.

Woman pushing boy in wheelchair

Welcome!

This day is dedicated to bringing together people with disabilities to celebrate who we are, to experience the uplifting power of community. You will find opportunities to connect with old friends as well as meet new people while sharing a nature experience, participating in a craft workshop or hanging out listening to live music.

Come stay with us …

The Festival

Adirondack Rednecks Bocce Team

Special Guests - Adirondack Rednecks Bocce Team

Come join the local Special Olympics team known as Adirondack Rednecks. This Bocce Team trains weekly in Saranac Lake and competes at Regional and State Special Olympic Events during the summer and fall seasons.

Bocce is an Italian game. The basic principle of the sport is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball, which is called a pallina. Bocce as a Special Olympics sport provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically, and to gain self-confidence.
Athletes will be demonstrating the techniques and rules of the game. You will have an opportunity to join in and try this fun and competitive sport.

Paul Smith's College Visitor Interprative Center

Festival Location

Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interprative Center’s ADA compliant facility, and trail system.

Woman in Wheelchair Painting a glass vase.

Artists and Artisans

People with disabilities will be presenting their artistic works for viewing, listening and sale.

Accessible Adirondack Forest Path

Nature Programs

Accessible nature programs for people with disabilities, their family, friends, and supporters.

Glenn McClure

Entertainment and Food

Award winning performers, including food, and entertainment.

Opening Remarks

Susan E. Griskonis Assistant Attorney General in Charge

Susan E. Griskonis

Assistant Attorney General In Charge
Office of the New York State Attorney General
Plattsburgh Regional Office

Learn More About Susan E. Griskonis
Leah Akins New York State DEC ADA Accessibility Coordinator

Leah Akins

New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation
Statewide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Accessibility Coordinator

Learn More About Leah Akins

Free Transportation to the Festival

In partnership with the Franklin County Department of Transporation, and the Village of Saranac Lake, we are excited to announce the following free transportation options to assist the general public, and particularly people with disabilities, in getting to and from the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities.

Franklin County Department of Transportation

Franklin County Transportation will provide transportation to the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities, at Paul Smiths College VIC, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9am to 5pm. in accordance with the following schedule:

Malone: Pickup and dropoffs will be at the Malone Adult Center, located at 14906 NY-30, Malone, NY 12953.
Get directions to the Malone Adult Center on Google Maps.

Pickup: 9:00am with arrival at the VIC at approximately 10am.
Dropoff: Leave from the VIC at 4:00pm with arrival at the Malone Adult Center at approximately 4:30pm

Saranac Lake: Pickup and dropoffs will be at the Saranac Lake Adult Center, located at 135 Broadway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.
Get directions to the Saranac Lake Adult Center on Google Maps.

Pickup: 10:30am with arrival at the VIC at approximately 11:00am
Dropoff: Leave from the VIC at 3:00pm, with arrival at the Saranac Lake Adult Center at approximately 3:30p

Village of Saranac Lake

The Village of Saranac Lake is providing $50 vouchers from the Village's Ride Share Program for Uber rides for Village residents only to and from the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities. Vouchers will be delivered via text message to the cell phone number you provide in the Transportation Request Form. Sign up today and reserve your ride early!

Testimonials

The Adirondack Nature Festival was truly magical. As someone who uses a wheelchair, I often worry about accessibility at outdoor events — but everything here was thoughtfully planned. I got to experience nature trails, wildlife talks, and eat with everyone in the big tent. It felt like a real adventure. I couldn’t believe they did that just for us.
Emily R., Schroon Lake, NY

This festival showed me how nice the world can be. The volunteers were all very nice, and the equipment display let me try things I never thought possible, and I even got to listen to live music with others like me. It was a day that I laughed alot, and I made some new friends. Thank you.
Marcus T., Albany, NY

My son has sensory processing challenges, and finding inclusive events can be tough. The Adirondack Nature Festival went above and beyond with calming spaces, quiet activities, and understanding staff. He explored the woods, learned about trees, and painted a butterfly. Watching him feel so free and accepted was the highlight of our year.
Sofia L., Plattsburgh, NY (Parent of Attendee)

Nature has always been my happy place, but its hard to find outdoor events that feel safe. At the festival, the guided nature walk, hands-on teaching, the storytelling and the smell of a campfire made everything come alive for me. I felt really good.
Jason M., Syracuse, NY