By Darryl and Mona Caron
For Saratoga TODAY
If you have the winter blues, summer sports and recreation season is just around the corner at the 11th annual Adirondack Sports Summer Expo! It’s happening at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6.
Come to the Capital, Saratoga and Adirondack region’s run, bike, triathlon, paddle, hike, healthy living and travel show – those sweaty, dirty sports you love - all under one roof! It features 125 exhibitors, great sales on summer/winter gear, clothing, footwear, and paddling and scuba demos in a 20 x 32-foot pool. Plus, enjoy seminars, clinics and fun family activities, including a 25-foot rock wall.
The show will have $10,000 in prizes and giveaways for products, services, races, events, destinations and lodging. Door prizes to regional running races, triathlons, hiking packages, weekend lodging getaways, custom orthotics, bike service, health, fitness, scuba training and meal packages will be given away over the weekend. And there are 30 new exhibitors at this year’s Expo.
The timing of the Summer Expo is perfect for athletes, weekend warriors, enthusiasts and newbies to pick up gear, information and motivation to plan their outings and adventures. It’s the place to kick-start a fitness program or to take your health to the next level. Event reps from the Firecracker Road Race, Saratoga Tour de Cure, Lake George Triathlon, Freihofer’s Run for Women, Malta 5K, Peak to Brew Relay, Saratoga Springs Half Marathon, Tour of the Battenkill, and Cycle Adirondacks are a few who will be on hand with more info and registration specials.
The Expo also has a mix of retailers, organizations, health and fitness professionals and green living vendors selling and presenting their products and services. These include Steiner’s Ski & Bike, Mountainman Outdoors, Fleet Feet Sports, Plaine’s/Collamer House, 9 Miles East Farm, Live Your Life Gear, Huff N Puff, Arbonne and iRun LOCAL.
Most major outdoor sports and recreation clubs in the area will be represented, including Adirondack Mountain Club, Saratoga Stryders, Saratoga Triathlon Club, Saratoga Rowing Club, Saratoga Mountain Bike Assn., Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club, and Saratoga Lake Sailing Club.
Many summer travel destinations will also be present to share information and deals on visiting, activities, lodging, events and getaways – including Erie Canalway, Hoppy Trails Brew Bus, Lake George Land Conservancy, Tupper Lake, Walkway Over the Hudson, The Wild Center, and Parks & Trails New York. Plus, get many ideas for summer camps from YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Camp Fowler, YMCA Camp Gorham and more.
On-water demos will take place all weekend in the 20 x 32-foot pool, with kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and scuba diving. Demos and clinics, led by ADK and regional paddling experts will cover capsize recovery, rescue and rolling, pack canoeing – and the pool also features the popular free “Try Paddling” sessions for kids!
A variety of seminars and clinics will be led by contributing writers, certified trainers, accomplished athletes and health professionals. Seminars will include running, hiking, biking, triathlon, injury prevention, and Heather Mann with Yoga Mandali of Saratoga Springs.
Damien’s Rock Wall will challenge kids and adults on a 25-foot wall, and many exhibitors – including Capital Region Disc Golf – will have demos and activities all weekend. The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY and Ainsley’s Angels – Power to Push (featuring a meet-and-greet with Shaun Evans of Galway, who ran 3,200 miles across the USA in 2015) will be on hand to collect donations over the weekend. Attendees who donate food money to the Regional Food Bank will receive an extra raffle ticket, which will increase their chances of winning Expo prizes.
The Summer Expo takes place on Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6 at the Saratoga Springs City Center at 522 Broadway. Admission is $5 for the weekend, and ages 18-under are free. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For an exhibitor list, seminar and pool schedules, parking map, or to exhibit at the show, visit AdkSports.com or call (518) 877-8788.
