The inaugural Adirondack Kids Day™, a day-long event that will celebrate the outdoor activities described in the Adirondack Kids series of books, will be held at various locations throughout Inlet on Saturday, October 6.
Gary. Carol and Justin VanRiper
The event is inspired by the best-selling book series by Gary and Justin VanRiper, and its major sponsor is the Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks.
The VanRipers, a father-and-son writing team from Camden, created and launched The Adirondack Kids® books in 2001.
The books’ story lines revolve around three best friends who are growing up in the Fulton Chain of Lakes area of the Adirondacks, with Inlet as their home base.
There are now 12 books in the series with more than 100,000 copies sold.
Inlet also happens to be where the co-authors with wife, momand illustrator, Carol VanRiper, share a camp that has been in Carol’s family for 107 years.
Its location provided the initial inspiration for their story ideas.Organizers for Adirondack Kids Day™ describe the event as kid-friendly, with activities planned all day long—rain or shine—for the entire family.
Author Ann Mazer
Authorities in hiking and paddling and writing and drawing will be offering free presentations in their areas of expertise throughout the day.
A fishing derby is planned for children 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult.
Face painting will be offered by children’s book illustrator, Maggie Henry, and a visit is expected by Smokey Bear.
There will even be a special, limited Adirondack Kids Day™ stamp cancellation hosted by a USPO official.
The hub of the event will be a Children’s Authors & Illustrators Book Fair which will be held under a large tent at The Adirondack Reader.
The fair will feature more than a dozen authors and illustrators, most with books set in the Adirondacks.
Author Christie Casciano
Special guest children’s authors include Syracuse News Channel 9 co-anchor Christie Casciano and nationally renowned author, Anne Mazer.
The day will close with ’smores and tales by Adirondack storyteller Mitch Lee.
“We are so honored that Kiwanis of the Central Adirondacks and the community of Inlet has been so receptive and supportive of The Adirondacks Kids®,” Gary VanRiper said.
“We hope what happens this day will encourage and inspire many more families to explore and enjoy this special region, creating memories to last a lifetime and traditions to last for generations as it has for our family.”
For more information on Adirondack Kids Day™, visit The Adirondack Kids page on Facebook; or call The Inlet Information Office at 1-866-GOINLET; or The Adirondack Reader at (315) 357-2665. Also visit www.adirondackkids.com.
