Saranac Lake’s Third Thursday Art Walks will kick off tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. along the Broadway and Main Street areas. (Photo provided — Mark Kurtz)

SARANAC LAKE — Whatever the weather, The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Saranac Lake ArtWorks, will sponsor another Third Thursday ArtWalk on Thursday, July 18.

Third Thursday ArtWalks encountered its first weather challenge last month and the local businesses stepped up and invited the artists and performers to come in out of the rain with their work. ArtWorks Coordinator Kathy Recchia said, “We have shown that the event can go on rain or shine but we are hoping for shine for this one.”

With more than 60 participating artists and businesses, there is plenty to see and experience. Third Thursday Art Walks run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. along Main Street, Broadway, Woodruff Street, Bloomingdale Avenue, Church Street and Cedar Street in Saranac Lake.

More than 30 artists are paired with sponsoring businesses and organizations, demonstrating that the area is a great arts community as well as a fun place to shop. These artists encompass every medium imaginable from musicians, magicians, and writers to jewelry makers, painters, woodcarvers, craftspeople, and more. There is something for every age and every taste.

The July 18 ArtWalk presents residents and visitors with a double-header of entertainment. Performance artist and musician, Glenn Burnett, who will be at BluSeed Studios at 24 Cedar St. for the Third Thursday ArtWalk, will then lead audiences and performers into a special summertime Open-Minded Mic Night at BluSeed. Back by audience and performer demand, Open-Minded Mic Night is a chance for local talent to try out new work in front of a friendly and supportive audience. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. but performers need to arrive at 7 p.m. to make sure they can sign up for the evening’s allotted time slots.

Other upcoming ArtWalks dates are Aug. 15 and Sept. 19.

The mission of the Art Walks is to stimulate business, draw attention to downtown Saranac Lake and to encourage community spirit through the presentation of visual, performing, and literary arts by artists who live and work in the North Country.

Artists or businesses interested in participating can still contact the Chamber or Saranac Lake ArtWorks at 518-891-3799 or admin@bluseedstudios.org.