Schroon Lake’s Summer season is going to go out with a BANG, accompanied by garage sales, great music, food, drink, a taste of the Bard of Avon, and a huge ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Check out our Summer Calendar 2014 section for all of the details.

The weekend kicks off right now with the Paradox Brewery Beer Garden and Growler filling station open for business until 7pm.

At 5pm the ADK Shakes presents the first of its four shows this weekend at the Scaroon Manor Amphitheatre with Henry IV, Part 1. 9 (There are PDX samples there as well!)

The action then moves to Sticks and Stones, where owners Gary and Steve have been challenged to the ALS ice bucket challenge. As regulars know by now, these guys do things BIG. So they are setting up a carnival style dunking station in front of their restaurant, so you can dunk them! S&S will match all donations.

That’s on top of the live music on their lawn as part of their regular Friday night Summer Concert Series. Rockers, The Blue Moon Band, will be playing. As always, the mini Paradox Beer Hut will be serving up those delicious frosty adult beverages.

Over at Witherbee's Carriage House the Willie Playmore Band rocks the loft bar. (On Saturday it's Hot Pursuit and on Sunday kick back with Dylan Joseph. They'll be serving Prime Rib, Lamb Chops and Southwest Blackened Chicken all weekend.

Saturday morning at 9am (until 3pm) brings hundreds to the HUGE garage sale at the Town Park. Proceeds from the rental of spaces on the grass go to benefit the Town Senior Center. There are also many local yard sales -- just follow the signs.

At 10 am - 2pm there’s the big Friends of Schroon Lake Library book sale, in the basement of the Hudson Headwaters building. The inventory this year has been nothing spectacular!

Spend the rest of your day exploring Main Street’s shops and restaurants, including the Towne Store, where the last of a new line of women’s clothing is available. Owner Patti Mehm tells us this is the first time the store has had a women’s only clothing section, and the merchandise has been flying off the shelves: the most popular seller? Sun dresses. Head downstairs to their bargain basement and upstairs to their arts and crafts gallery.

Across the Street at Giant Mountain Art Studio, you can check out the latest show curated by artist and owner Anthony Ruiz.

At 4pm Schroon’s own rockers, Beyond Driven, play on the steps of the Strand Theatre. The event is sponsored by Strand owners Liz and Larry McNamara. There will be free limited CDs (First come, First served)! Come out and see the band rock their debut album “Awaken” as well as many other cover songs!

At 5pm ADK Shakes performs the second of its three shows’ this weekend. Again, make your way to the Scaroon Manor Amphitheatre.

At around 5:30pm Dock Street is closed off as the Master Cylinders set up for their show for the Annual Schroon lake labor day Weekend Dance Party.  The band will have you on your feet from 7pm – 9:30pm.

It’s then time for the annual Labor day Fireworks show, made possible by the generous support of local businesses and dozens of folks who reached deep into their pockets and help cover costs for the show, when the Town of Schroon and The Chamber didn’t have the budget to cover the show.

“We are grateful for all of the support we got to raise funds for the show,” Councilman Roger Friedman told Schroon Laker today.

“Would we have liked to have raised more money? Sure, but it’s great we’ll have the show Saturday.

Friedman says he is hoping for a big crowd. “The Schroon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has spent money on print and radio advertising to get the word out. The weather should be beautiful.”