The Inlet Area Business Association (IABA) hosted 31 attendees at its Cinco de Mayo social gathering and meeting at Drake’s Inn on Tuesday.

The IABA will add two new positions to its Executive Board, according to Dave Scranton. This will allow for more timely decision making, he said. 

Scranton said the meeting schedule may need juggling in July and August to accommodate what is expected to be a busy business season.

The IABA membership drive is still under way. Current IABA members will be contacting future members in hopes of achieving 100 percent participation from the local business community.

Membership Chair Danicia Nerschook can be contacted with membership questions at 357-2692 or sunsetbeachcottages@yahoo.com.

Dave Scranton updated IABA members on the upcoming Black Fly Challenge mountain bike race from Indian Lake to Inlet.

The event, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will be held Saturday, June 13.

Organizers are expecting 1,000 racers with a big post-race celebration to be held at Inlet’s Fern Park.

The band Showtime will perform the music.

Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services (IVES) will provide provide food. Saranac Brewery and McCraith Beverages will provide the beer.

About 100 volunteers are needed to pull off the event, according to Scranton. Those interested should contact the Inlet Information Office or Pedals & Petals.

The BFC Mountain Bike Races & Rodeo, family-oriented events held at Inlet’s Fern Park, will return for Black Fly Challenge Weekend on Sunday, June 14.

Included are a Kids Race, a Circuit Race, and a Hill Climb.

Rodeo events will include Log Pull, Balance Race, Slow Race, Barrel Race and Longest Wheelie.

Inlet’s 2015 “Sunsets by the Lake” summer concert series will be sponsored by Adirondack Reader and French Louie ADK Sports.

Addition sponsors would be a great help, said IABA’s Adele Burnett.

Plans are continuing for the Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge, a new event slated for official launch during Adirondack Kids Day on October 3.

Adirondack Kids Day was founded by Gary, Carol and Justin VanRiper—authors of the Adirondack Kids book series—and Paul and Reggie Chambers.

The free event features a kids fishing derby, a children’s author & illustrator fair, bounce house, petting zoo, horseback rides, a magician, birds of prey, hiking safety clinics, paddling demos, local mascots, and more.

Connie Perry of Frisky Otter reported that remaining One Square Mile of Hope posters may be made available for sale at area retail locations this summer.

After all is done, One Square Mile of Hope will have contributed close to $180,000 with most going toward the fight against breast cancer.

Matt Miller of Screamen Eagle reported that the Adirondack Ice Bowl has committed to backing the event again next winter, making it bigger and better, along with Screaman Eagle and The Woods Inn.

Dates have been set for January 29 through 31, 2016, and registration is already full, Miller said.

Jim McKenna of ROOST spoke about the Tourism Destination Master Plan that he is working with Inlet for the town.

This will help get funding for projects, he said.

“The overall goals of the destination master planning process mirror those of the sustainable tourism credo: Grow the existing tourism economy without negatively impacting the residents’ quality of life,” he said.

Jim talked about the importance of public input while working on these plans.

He and Dave Scranton encouraged everyone to participate in the surveys and future meetings.

Connie Perry spoke about her upcoming event, The “Otter” Watersports Event, scheduled for May 15 through 17 at her Woods Inn location.

Frisky Otter will have free demos and great sales on new and used boats and accessories.

She thanked the 25 people who helped her move boats out of storage last Saturday, so Frisky Otter could open this month.

This allowed her to stay on schedule, despite recent back surgery.

Kevin and Sue Norris offered a week’s stay at their newly renovated Deerwoods Lodge rental unit for an IABA fundraiser.

Other businesses offered to contribute to a vacation package raffle to include a bike rental from Pedals & Petals, a kayak rental from Frisky Otter, and beer tokens from Matt’s Draft House, among others.

The next IABA meeting is slated for June 2 at 6 p.m., at a location to be determined.