Saranac Lake Cocktail Classic Regatta

The First Annual Saranac Lake Cocktail Classic Regatta will be held on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, New York on September 19^th.   This historic and scenic village boasts a long history of racing and other competitive sports, including: inboard boat racing in the 1920’s and 30’s, canoe and Adirondack guideboat racing since the 1960’s, and hydroplane and bathtub racing in the 1970’s.  And now, add Cocktail Class racing to that list! 

Come join us for the last race of the season – and a weekend of Cocktail Class racing excitement in Saranac Lake, with endless possibilities for a grand adventure in the heart of the Adirondack Park.    

The lower end of Lake Flower in downtown Saranac Lake is a made-to-order setting for Cocktail Class “cottage” racing, with the picturesque village business district on one shoreline and historic cottages lining the other.  This race event is being well-promoted by the local organizers and promises to draw a significant number of spectators.  Riverside Park will be bustling on race day, with a farmers’ market alongside our race staging area, and the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club, displaying their vintage motors on our other side. 

See the NOR for race details, including schedule and activities for Friday (Sept 18th) and Saturday (Sept 19th).  

And… since the Cocktail Class is all about having FUN, why not make the most of your ADK visit for more?  Extend your stay and pack as much as you can into this last race event of 2026!  The Saranac Lake community is known as The Green Side of the Big Apple.  This thriving village and its surrounding hamlets offer the quintessential Adirondack experience – full of outdoor activities, top-notch culinary experiences, downtown shopping, a flourishing arts scene and family-friendly ADK adventure.  The list of outdoor recreational activities is endless:  hiking, camping, boating, paddling, cycling, mountain biking, and various attractions at surrounding Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, including the Olympic sites. 

A group of racers is already talking about expanding this Cocktail Class outing with more ADK adventure in the days before and/or after the race.  Options are TBD, but here are just a few discussed:

Cocktail Cruise: From the public access point on Upper St. Regis Lake (12-miles north of Saranac Lake) we would launch a fleet of Cocktail boats for a cruise on the St. Regis chain of lakes.  That’s where you can get a closeup view of some of the most fabulous historic Great Camps of Adirondacks, and sneak past the boat houses for a peek at some exquisite watercraft. 

Or, cruise 6-miles of the Saranac River starting at Second Pond landing, follow the river through the Lower Locks, into Oseetah Lake, continuing downstream past a gorgeous array of cottages to Lake Flower, where the fleet can tie-up at the Lakeside Drift restaurant for refreshments. 

Hiking and Climbing:  The Adirondack Park is full of adventure and challenges for hiking and climbing.  It is home to the High Peaks Wilderness Area, which includes the state’s highest peak, Mount Marcy, at 5,344 Feet above sea level.  For more background on High Peaks adventure check out Adirondack Mountain Club (visit www.adk.org) for literature and maps, or just reach out to CCWBRA Vice-Commodore Al, a long-time member of 46er Club, having hiked all 46 of the highest peaks, (visit www.adk46er.org).  If huffing it up one of the 46 High Peaks is too ambitious, try a hiking challenge that features some of the lower peaks around Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, the St. Regis Lakes, or Lake Placid.   

Biking: The 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail beckons bikers and hikers alike.  It runs from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake (10 mi.) and further southwest to Tupper Lake (24 mi.), winding through forests and hamlets, alongside streams and ponds, with numerous access points.  (visit www.adirondackrr.com). 

Paddling: The Adirondack Park is a paddlers’ paradise.  The edge of the St Regis Wilderness Canoe Area is 10-miles west of Saranac Lake, where a paddler can pick a route and get “lost” in a series of lakes, ponds and (often short) carries.  A group of paddlers can plan a route that loops back to the start, or organize “put-in” and “take-out” points and a car shuttle.  September is a perfect paddling season – high loon-count and low bug-count!  Boat rentals are available from friendly outfitters in Saranac Lake and Lake Clear if you can’t bring your own. 

As you sign up for this race, if you have time for extra ADK fun feel free to share your ideas and preferences by calling or texting Fred Allerton to be included in a group/text.

Lodging in Saranac Lake – partial list:

VOVO Saranac Lake, Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake (Waterfront) Rooms are pricey – about $550 per night.  (visit www.ihg.com/saranac

Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street, Saranac Lake – Hilton Curio Collection

About $350 per night.

Note: Race organizers are checking on possible discounted pricing for CCWBRA.

(visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/slksnqq-hotel-saranac)

Other lower cost options:

Traverse Lodge, 644 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake (Outskirts of Village)

(visit www.traverselodge.com)

Sara Placid Inn & Suites, 445 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake (In Village)

(visit www.saraplacid.com)

The Ashley, 185 River St, Saranac Lake (Walk across the street to race site)

(visit www.theashleyadk.com)

Mountain Lake Inn, 487 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake (In Village)

(visit www.mtnlakeinn.com)

Plus… extensive lodging options are available in Lake Placid – 9 miles east of Saranac Lake.

Camping:

Fish Creek Pond, 4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Visit www.fishcreekpond.com and https://dec.ny.gov/places/fish-creek-pond-campground-and-day-use-area

If there are no vacancies at local NY State Campgrounds, a friend of Cocktail Class who lives on the edge of Saranac Lake village has offered space on his property for camping.  Call or text Fred Allerton for details and to make arrangements.  

Note: Make reservations soon for lodging!

Availability may be limited.