Event Details and Programs for the

Beginning with the opening remarks and ribbon cutting, the festival offers many programs and activities for everyone. Works from talented artisans and artists, three music groups, a special debut of the performance “Voice In The Wilderness”, and lots of available food to feed our guests. Take a look at the program schedule below, followed by explanations of each item.

For your convenience, you can also download an ADA compliant pdf file for viewing and printing which contains the schedule and activity descriptions.

Please note that you will be participating in an outdoor program at Paul Smith’s College. Activities outdoors carry inherent risks, including but not limited to weather conditions, uneven terrain, wildlife encounters, and potential injuries. By participating, you acknowledge and assume these risks. Please use caution and good judgment while enjoying Paul Smith’s College VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center).

We look forward to seeing you at the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities!

Festival Program: Title, Time, Locations, and Descriptions

Opening Remarks, Award Presentation, and Ribbon Cutting

Time: 10:00 – 10:20AM
Location: Tent

Kim Hill Ridley, NYS Chief Disability Officer, Leah Akins, Statewide Accessibility Coordinator, NYS DEC, and the presentation of the prestigeous, national, 2024 Diana Viets Memorial Award to Mary Lamica, Interim Executive Director of Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living.

Outdoor Program Descriptions

Still Birding with Wild Neighbors Nature Connection

Time: 10:30 – 11:30AM
Location: Deck

Engage your sense of wonder and curiosity while we explore connections with birds and their habitats as well as our feathered friends’ connections with us since we share a common life. Through this relational birding experience, expect to learn about birds and their habitats and to discover something of your own place in nature’s community, while sitting on the deck. Guided by Certified Interpretive Guide, Rich Hanlon.

Forest Sensory Walk with Adirondack Riverwalking

Time: 11:45AM – 12:45PM
Location: Barnum Brook Trailhead

Experience nature through your senses, up close, and feel how interconnected you are with the natural world. Rekindle your playfulness and awe on this guided nature sensory walk, led by Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Helene Gibbens. Distance walked: .5 mile maximum, adapted to the participants.

Collective Singing Workshop with Glenn McClure

Time: 11:45AM – 12:15PM
Location: Amphitheater

Let’s bring our voices together to create our song for nature. Let our song be our offering to the natural world to which we belong, in appreciation for the countless gifts we receive every day. Led by Glenn McClure, musical composer.

New Musical Preview: Voice in the Wilderness with Glenn McClure

Time: 12:30 – 1:00PM
Location: Amphitheater

Glenn McClure’s new musical composition is based on a dialogue between a person with disabilities and nature, as they explore together their commonalities, to find support and community in their relationship. The full composition will be premiered later this fall at Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake.

S’mores and Story-sharing Around the Campfire with Tom Techman

Time: 1:00 – 1:45PM
Location: Back Lawn, Lean-to

Join us to share your favorite story of time spent in nature or your sweetest accomplishment. Let’s inspire each other as we enjoy S’mores around the campfire. Led by songwriter and singer Tom Techman with Helene Gibbens, festival founder.

Relational Birding Walk with Wild Neighbors Nature Connection

Time: 1:00 – 2:00PM
Location: Meet at Deck

Engage your sense of wonder and curiosity while we explore connections with birds and their habitats as well as our feathered friends’ connections with us at the Heron Marsh viewing platform. Expect to learn about birds and their habitats and to discover something of your own place in nature’s community. Total distance walked: .5 mile. Guided by Certified Interpretive Guide, Rich Hanlon.

Paint a Monarch Butterfly with Patrice

Time: 2:00 – 4:00PM
Location: Tent

Artist Patrice Jarvis-Weber will guide you in creating your own monarch butterfly painting. This workshop is geared for beginners, open to all ages and artistic abilities. Participants will use acrylic paints on an 8×8 or 8×10-inch stretched canvas and take home their finished painting. All supplies are included.

Forest Sensory Walk with Adirondack Riverwalking

Time: 2:15 – 3:15PM
Location: Barnum Brook Trailhead

Experience nature through your senses, up close, and feel how interconnected you are with the natural world. Rekindle your playfulness and awe on this guided nature sensory walk, led by Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Helene Gibbens. Distance walked: .9 mile maximum, the distance will be adapted to the participants.

S’mores and Story-sharing Around the Campfire with Tom Techman

Time: 2:30 – 3:15PM
Location: Back Lawn, Lean To

Join us to share your favorite story of time spent in nature or your sweetest accomplishment. Let’s inspire each other as we enjoy S’mores around the campfire. Led by songwriter and singer Tom Techman with Helene Gibbens, festival founder.

Ongoing Programs and Demonstrations

Monarch Butterfly House with VIC Staff

Time: 11:00AM – 3:30PM
Location: Butterfly House

Drop in and discover monarch butterflies in their different stages of life. A VIC staff person will be there to answer your questions.

TRAID Outdoor Equipment Demos with SAIL

Time: 11:00AM – 3:30PM
Location: Butterfly House Field

Come and try some of the latest TRAID outdoor equipment that can make your time outdoors easier and may open new ways for you to explore nature. Jenn and April from the TRAID team at Southern Adirondack Independent Living will be there to help you!

Nature Art Play with Adirondack Experience

Times: 10:00 – 11:30AM and 2:00 – 4:00PM
Location: Indoor Classroom 2

Drop in for some art play inspired by Adirondack artists with Cheryl and Tara from Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. All materials supplied.

Nature Sensory Play with Adirondack Riverwalking

Time: 10:45AM – 12:15PM and 1:30 – 3:00PM
Location: Indoor Classroom 1

Discover the treasure of nature in our sensory box.  Explore different plant life forms through playful sensory activities. Share with others your discoveries through drawing and stories. Led by Suzanne Weirich, Certified Nature Therapy Guide.

Nature Arts and Crafts Booths

Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Location: Atrium

Don’t forget to visit our arts and crafts booths in the tent! Meet our artists and artisans with disabilities, and let their work inspire you. Their creations will be available for purchase, as a souvenir or for ongoing inspiration at home.

Kim has served as New York State’s first-ever Chief Disability Officer (CDO) since being appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in February of 2022. Kim has been charged with advising the Governor and executive staff on policy and budgetary issues as they pertain to disability issues, serving as the state’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator and chairing New York’s Most Integrated Services Coordinating Council (MISCC), which is responsible for the state’s Olmstead compliance. Kim also acts as the New York State lead related to the execution of Executive Order 31—signed by Governor Hochul in July 2023—focused on New York being a model employer for people with disabilities.

As CDO, Kim and her team spend a significant amount of their time meeting with advocates, and people with disabilities and their families, focusing on priority topics such as homecare, employment, housing, accessibility and transportation and collaborating with state agencies to reduce the silos that exist within the many existing service delivery systems in New York State. Through this work, Kim has championed the addition of Accessibility to the extensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work being done within state agencies and offices—ensuring that the rights and experiences of people with disabilities are included in these efforts.

Kim lives with a C5-C6 cervical incomplete spinal cord injury resulting from an accident during her junior year in high school and has never let her disability have a negative impact her attitude or achievements.

Prior to joining the Executive Chamber, Kim served in various disability-focused roles with the New York Assembly spanning 27 years.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Utica College of Syracuse University (now Utica University) and resides in Latham, NY with her husband, Michael, and their children, Michaela and Alex.

Mary Lamica began working at the TLCIL in 2018 as an Independent Living Specialist. She became Program Manager at TLCIL in 2019, and Interim Executive Director in 2024. Prior to working for TLCIL, Mary worked in human services and also worked as a nurse. Mary has a BS from Empire State College and is a Cornell University certified work incentive practitioner. Mary finds nothing more rewarding than helping people with disabilities.

Mary will be formally receiving her 2024 Diana Viets Memorial Award from the National Council on Independent Living at the opening of the festival. Diana was an energetic young woman with a disability who dedicated her life to empowering young people with disabilities to take an active role in the Independent Living movement. Through her work at a Center for Independent Living and the NCIL Board, Diana touched the lives of many youth with disabilities. NCIL wants to acknowledge, honor, and encourage our young leaders who are promoting disability pride, spreading Independent Living philosophy, and fostering the active participation of youth with disabilities in the disability rights movement.

Those receiving this award are young adults whose work through Independent Living has had a positive impact on youth with disabilities.

Mary, we are very proud of you!

From Pork Busters’ savory Kansas City Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Brioche Roll, a Smoked Chicken Quarter, or maybe a Brisket Sandwich, to hot off the grill hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by our friend Owner & Executive Chef of The Belvedere Restaurant in Saranac Lake, you can enjoy a variety of tasty treats while enjoying your time at the festival. To keep your day affordable, there are no menu items priced at over $10!

Changing tables and mechanical lifts are designed to safely and efficiently support individuals who may have limited mobility or require assistance with personal care tasks. These devices ensure that caregivers can perform transfers and positioning without straining themselves, reducing the risk of injury for both the caregiver and the person being assisted. The mechanical lift allows for smooth transitions from wheelchairs or other mobility devices to the changing table, enhancing the user’s comfort and safety.

A changing table and mechanical lift will be available for people requiring total care. For more information please use our Contact Form, and send a message with the Changing Table and Mechanical Lift subject.