LAKE PLACID — Dmitry’s Feast of the Peaks returns for a second year after the festival was reimagined following the death of Dmitry Feld in January 2024. It takes place this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The festival continues in the tradition of the I Love BBQ and Music Festival, of which Feld was a co-organizer. The festival ran for more than 15 years, organized by USA Luge to benefit the Shipman Youth Center. These two organizations were tied together by Feld.

“It (was) everyone coming together, from different aspects of the community, becoming related to the youth center and to the festival,” said Mike Durham, festival organizer and president of the youth center board. “Just a small town and everyone coming together.”

Prior to his death, Feld was the marketing manager at USA Luge and was involved with the Shipman Youth Center for many years, including as president of the board. He became a major force behind fundraising for Ukraine in the initial years of the Russian invasion which began in 2022.

Although this event is shorter and features different food, Durham said the event retains Feld’s passion for food, music and kids. Instead of barbecue, this year’s food will feature more local restaurants with international flavors, including Greek, Polish, Peruvian and Italian food.

Aside from adding “local flair,” Durham said focusing on local vendors had the added benefit of lowering the cost of the festival. Entrance to the tasting costs $20. Aside from that, the youth center is asking only for donations, and the fun activities for kids — from face-painting to balloon animals — are offered free of cost. Durham said the board is hoping to create more of a “carnival” atmosphere.

There will also be a raffle with a $3,000 grand prize. Tickets cost $50 each and only 600 tickets will be printed.

“Come out and have a great time,” Durham said, “experiencing the togetherness that everyone has.”

The festival is the yearly fundraiser for the Shipman Youth Center’s operating expenses. The center has had a busy year and are continuing to raise additional funds to officially buy their property from the Lake Placid Central School District.

“It sustains the future,” he said, adding that they already have some additional projects they want to take on once the center owns the property.

Durham said the center has more upcoming fundraisers specifically for the building effort, including a golf tournament set for Sept. 17. The center received a grant from the North Elba Cannabis Sales Taxation Fund this year and the board is waiting to hear back from some additional grants to cover the rest of the $45,000 needed to purchase the property.

“Everyone’s come out and really supported it because we believe in the mission of Tom Shipman’s spirit and what he wanted to do for the community,” Durham said. “As well as Dmitry and the years of dedication that he put into it.”

The partnership with USA Luge continues through Director of Marketing Gordy Sheer, who Durham credits with helping assemble each year’s line up of bands. This year’s music features eight acts:

11 a.m. — Pat Duffy

12 p.m. — Larry Stone

1 p.m. — Last Pages

2 p.m. — Sven Curth

3 p.m. — Triage

4 p.m. — All Without The Bass

5 p.m. — Jacques Kuno

6 p.m. — Carl Rubino

Learn more about the Shipman Youth Center at shipmanyouthcenter.org.