LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 18 The Northern Current Music Festival is gearing up for its fifth season on September 21, 2024. Held at the picturesque Riverside Park on the shores of Lake Flow- er, this cherished annual event attracts music lovers of all ages. Northern Current celebrates diverse musical genres, pulses with community spirit, and is deeply rooted in Saranac Lake's rich musical heritage. Origins The Northern Current Music Festival held its inau- gural celebration in 2019, succeeding the beloved Hobofest, a community festival traditionally held on Labor Day weekend. After a decade of entertaining the community with its folk-forward music, its orga- nizers Peter Seward and Todd Smith decided to retire. Wanting the tradition of a community music festival in Saranac Lake to continue, they approached Chris Morris to make it happen. Morris knew he needed to assemble a team with the right skills in logistics, music programming, and fund- raising, so he collaborated with individuals like Eric Munley, Kiki Sarko, Eric Ackerson, and many others to bring Northern Current to life. The name emerged from brainstorming sessions at the Waterhole — a staple of the music scene in Saranac Lake — and the logo depicting water and mountains was designed by Ackerson. Evolution and Growth Since its inception, Northern Current has evolved. Through the years, it has remained true to its mission of enriching the cultural diversity of Saranac Lake by celebrating a kaleidoscope of musical heritages. The festival aims to honor its predecessor without imitat- ing it, thus creating its own unique identity. Each year, the lineup has grown more diverse, featuring a mix of local, regional, and national touring acts across vari- ous genres. Eric Munley, department head of music program- ming, explains, "We didn't want to imitate Hobofest, Northern Current: A Community Music Festival By Sydney Aveson and photos by Paige Lamb

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