Free event returns to Lake Placid July 11-14

Lake Placid, NY — With one month and counting until the third annual free-to-the-public ESPN Great Outdoor Games, excitement in the Adirondacks is building. More than 200 competitors — human and canine — will compete for medals and prize money in four sport categories. The event begins in 30 days; here is a reason for each day not to miss out:

1. Spend lunchtime — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — on Wednesday, July 10 at Mirror Lake watching anglers vie for stretches of the river in the fly fishing casting competition.

2. Save your money: The event is free to the public!

3. On Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12, the first 2002 spectators through the gates at the Oval get a free Great Outdoor Games prize.

4. Archery Family Fun Shoot: On Saturday, July 13 at the Lake Placid Club Resort, release your inner William Tell at a free interactive opportunity for all spectators to learn archery.

5. Superstar: Look for yourself on television as the event airs beginning July 20 on ABC.

6. Be A Part of the Action: Volunteer! Get the chance to be up close and personal with the world's best outdoor sports competitors. For more information, call 518/523-1962.

7. Free Earplugs: Check out the hot saw competition at the Oval on Thursday, July 11 and watch the fastest lumberjacks tear chainsaws through a log in less than five seconds.

8. Inside scoop: for more on all athletes, competitions, etc., log onto www.greatoutdoorgames.com.

9. Tennis or Timber? See the debut of the mixed doubles boom run on Friday, July 12 at Mirror Lake from 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

10. It's free!

11. Learn Something: Birds of Prey — Eagles, Falcons, hawks and owls — will be at the Oval every day demonstrating flight and retrieve.

12. It's A Small World: Athletes from Australia, Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand and 39 US States converge on Lake Placid for the Great Outdoor Games.

13. Lake Placid Summer Passport:The Olympic venues are all within your reach in Lake Placid. Check out the bobsled ride. Visit www.orda.org for more information.

14. Be On SportsCenter: ESPN The Truck will be at the Oval giving fans the opportunity to do everything from have their picture placed on the cover of ESPN The Magazine to taping their own segment of SportsCenter.

15. Log Roll: Where else can you learn to log roll and watch the world's best compete in the same sport. With an interactive log rolling tank on-site, you too can learn how to stay a float when running on a log!

16. Fly Tie: Some of the worlds foremost experts on fly fishing and fly tying will be on-site giving demonstrations in fly casting and fly tying at the Oval all weekend.

17. Visit an Olympic Museum: Lake Placid's 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympic Museum is only steps away from the Great Outdoor Games main venue and features original exhibits, medals and equipment, and will be open to additionally display works of art from both the Olympic Games and the Great Outdoor Games.

18. See the Adirondacks from 50 feet in the Air: Climb up our interactive speed climbing poles in the spectator village at the Oval for your chance to have the best seat in the house.

19. Weigh In: Who's got the biggest bass? Find out on Saturday, July 14 at the Oval's bass fishing final weigh in.

20. New York Pride: With eight athletes from the state of New York, there are sure to be some hometown heroes at the Great Outdoor Games.

21. Non-edible cookies: Head to the timber stage at the Oval to see what it's all about.

22. Fakies to fishing? World-renown X Games snowboarder Kevin Jones of Truckee, Calif. is also a competitor in the fly fishing competition. Can he hang with the anglers?

23. Musical Entertainment: After the Great Outdoor Games end Sunday night, you can see country music star Travis Tritt perform at the Olympic Center. Tickets: www.orda.org

24. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation will provide a Catch'n'Release Fishing Pond at the Oval — allowing spectators to try their hand with a rod.

25. New England Traditions: 15 athletes from five New England states will vie for medals at the Great Outdoor Games.

26. Family Fun: Airbrush artists, puppeteers, inflatables and magicians will be on hand entertain kids of all ages.

27. Mirror Lake Long Jumps: The big air dog competition is Saturday, July 13 from 2:30-4:30. Will another world record distance be attained?

28. Step Outside: Learn to shoot with the National Shooting Sports Foundation from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday, July 14 at the Lake Placid Club Resort.

29. It's still free.

30. Three time's a charm: In its third year, the Great Outdoor Games will enjoy four sun-filled days!