A child paddles during the Willard Hanmer race on July 2, 2023. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

SARANAC LAKE — Celebrate Paddling ADK, an annual month-long festival celebrating the paddling culture of the Adirondacks, officially kicked off on Friday.

Paddlers gathered to share their love for the water with a paddling mixer hosted at Sunset Bistro in Saranac Lake. The energy carried through to Saturday’s highlight event, the 2024 ‘Round the Mountain Canoe and Kayak Race, hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Following the race, attendees continued the festivities at the Freshest Film Festival at the Waterhole. The festival takes place throughout Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake and will continue until July 7 with paddling events, guided trips, races and other events.

Since 2016, Celebrate Paddling ADK has been dedicated to commemorating the paddling heritage of the Adirondacks through engaging lectures, a river cleanup initiative and an array of paddling events on nearby waters.

ADK ArtRise is offering creative art classes such as guided watercolor painting, nail string art and solar-powered printing. Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters is offering a guided night kayak tour every Tuesday during the festival. Other fun events include a cardboard race, a guided birding paddle and free community paddles with various outfitters.

The Adirondack Paddling Symposium takes place from June 14-17. Scheduled during Celebrate Paddling ADK, it offers a comprehensive weekend of paddling instruction with beginner and intermediate course tracks for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and pack boats.

Celebrate Paddling ADK culminates with the Willard Hanmer Races on July 7.

More details about the festival and its schedule of events can be found at celebratepaddlingadk.com.