Americade announced today in a Facebook live broadcast that the event has been moved to July 21st-25th. The event feels they can make enough changes to create a safe event, but may ultimately move the event or cancel it, if they feel they cannot meet safety standards.
“It has to be a safe Americade. If we don’t feel -- at any point -- that a safe Americade can happen in late July, we won’t run an Americade in late July. It’s as simple as that”, said Americade President, Christian Dutcher.
Dutcher said that it wasn’t the right time to cancel the event. “… things are trending, ever so slightly in a positive direction and we didn’t feel it was right to cancel Americade -- at least not yet”, he said.
While hopeful, Dutcher did offer this caveat, “At any moment or any time during this process, if I feel or my team feels or the region feels it’s not the right decision, that it’s not safe, we won’t do it.”
The Lake George region relies heavily on Americade for needed tax revenue. “Tourism sales tax revenue is vital to Warren County’s ability to deliver essential services to our people, and Americade is vital to tourism. ” said Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors Tourism Committee.
To create a safe environment, Americade is scraping many of their signature events, including concerts, comedy shows and the opening ceremonies. All of their indoor events, like speakers will be moved online.
The emphasis this year will be on self-guided tours and rides Dutcher said. Riders will have a choice of multiple restaurants, allowing them to choose one what is less crowded.
The expo will have a modified layout and extended hours. Entrance to the expo will be regulated to avoid crowds.
Christian Dutcher's Announcement on Facebook today
Demo rides will continue, but with safety protocols in place, like restricted hours.
Registration will be totally online and electronic.
Americade has promised an FAQ page related to changes for the 2020 event on their web site.
“It’s an altered Americade, but it’s still going to be a great Americade”, Dutcher said.
“In all sincerity, there’s no guarantee that this can happen in late July, but we think it will. And, it’s the right decision, right now”, Dutcher said. ““We’re fully on top of the realities of the situation. We reserve the right bump the dates if the need arises.”
Americade is America’s largest rally for touring motorcycles, drawing thousands of riders to Lake George NY each June.
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