NORTH CREEK, New York ??” The Gore Mountain Harvest Festival will be held October 8th & 9th from 10 am ??“ 5 pm each day! This free Columbus Day weekend celebration will feature live entertainment, scenic gondola rides, local artisans and an assortment of kids??™ activities. In an effort to expand the festival atmosphere of the weekend, the Great North Creek Ski Sale & Streetfest will feature ski sales at the North Creek Ski Bowl, the Mountain & Boardertown, and Cunningham??™s Ski Barn, as well as several sidewalk sales and special promotions on Main Street.

At Gore Mountain, the musical lineup on stage includes The Stony Creek Band 1:30pm-4:30pm Saturday, and the Irish band Hair of the Dog at 2pm-4:30pm Sunday. Adirondack acoustic entertainer Chip Chevalier will entertain crowds each day on the sundeck from festival opening until the bands begin, featuring fun Limbo for kids.

Guests can browse the Adirondack treasures of the Hudson River Trading Co., Adirondack Gold maple syrup, watercolor artist Kim Link, North Creek jeweler Barbara Delczeg, Little Touch of Country gifts, South Mountain Photos, and many others.

The Harvest Festival welcomes back the Gore Mountain Leaf Cruncher, a 5K trail run, on October 8 at 11am. Entry forms are available online at www.goremountain.com. Registration is $10 through September 30, then $15 after that date.

A variety of fall fare including caramel apples, cider and donuts, sausage and peppers, funnel cakes, and maple cotton candy will be served.

Kids will enjoy free face painting and balloon animals from Penelope the Clown from 10am-4pm each day. A Bounce House, inflatable obstacle course, and giant slide will be available from Bounce Around entertainment all weekend. A climbing wall, Make Your Own Cookie Counter, pumpkin painting, Make Your Own Stuffed Animal, storyteller, Halloween Egg Hunt, and other ongoing assorted games will also offer fall fun for children.

Appealing to children and adults, the Harvest Festival will host Gore Mountain Farm, featuring live alpacas and the fine clothing and gifts that their wool produces.

Northwoods Gondola Skyrides provide outstanding autumn views of the High Peaks and southern Adirondacks. Fall foliage rides are $10 for adults ages 13+, $6 for children ages 7-12, and free for those 6 and under and 70+. Gore Mountain is open Saturday and Sunday through October 10, including Columbus Day Monday, the closing day of the fall season.

2005/2006 Gore/Whiteface season passes will be on sale at the festival, where guests can have their picture taken and pass issued immediately. The best rates for passes will be available through November 11. SnowSamplers, four fully transferable tickets for $199, gift certificates in any denomination, Empire Cards, Student Cards, and Snowball Cards will also be available. For additional information, call (518) 251-2411, or log on to www.goremountain.com.

For more information about the Great North Creek Ski Sale & Streetfest, as well as other regional events that weekend including the Casey??в„ўs North Brewfest and Dinner & A Movie at Tannery Pond Community Center, call the Gore Mountain Region Chamber of Commerce at (518) 251-2612.