The 5th Annual Great Adirondack Moose Festival will be held in Indian Lake this weekend, September 27 and 28, 2014. The Moose Festival features programs, games, contests, exhibitions, guided tours and hikes and shopping.  The half-ton Moose is making a come-back in the Adirondacks, and this weekend is an excellent opportunity to spot one. Most festival activities are free and do not require advance registration.

The Moose Calling Contest continues to be one of the Festival favorites and will be held with fun and sometimes bizarre and authentic hooting and hollering moose calls from adult and children contestants. Naturalist and author Ed Kanze will return as the contest master of ceremony and one of the official judges. The contest will be limited to two categories; adult and children, and will be held at the Indian Lake Theater. Pre-registration is encouraged.

This year’s Moose Fest will also feature Adirondack style and moose themed activities including guided  hikes to Helldiver Pond (a favored moose stomping ground) and OK Slip Falls;  a Moose River Plains Wild Forest self-guided driving tour; Traditions of Backwoods Brook Trout; white water rafting on the Indian and Hudson Rivers; an old fashion Turkey Shoot; an open House at the Indian Lake Museum; guided tours of the historic hamlets of Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake;  the Utica Zoo Mobile; North Country crafts and vendors; games and activities for children, and much more.

For more information visit www.indian-lake.com or call (518) 648-5636 or (518) 648-5112.

Visitors are encouraged to pick up a copy of the Festival Program at the Chamber of Commerce and at several businesses around the town during the event.

Photo: One of many Adirondack moose, this one spotted at Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Photo courtesy Gary Lee.