Sunday, October 18, 2026

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50th Balloon Fest starts Wednesday with cocktail party, moonglow at Hiland Park

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

The 50th Adirondack Balloon Festival opens a day early with a pre-festival cocktail party and moonglow on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 5-8 p.m. at Hiland Park in Queensbury. Tickets are $40.

As of Sunday, 300 people had registered for the party, with more expected, including groups by major sponsors, said Balloon Fest organizer Mark Donahue.

He said it’s the festival’s first paid event in …

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Ryan Holderman’s The Gym in Mall’s former TJ Maxx space

Five people wearing black shirts with "GYM" printed on them stand together in a fitness facility.

By Zander Frost, Chronicle Staff Writer

The Gym 518 has moved to the 26,000 square foot former TJ Maxx space in Aviation Mall.

South Glens Falls native Ryan Holderman founded the business in 2014. Its focus is personal training and classes.

“The idea behind it was to do something completely different that we didn’t have around here,” Ryan said.

“People typically don’t know what to do, and the biggest thing …

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New Journeys, a day program for brain injured, Alzheimer’s, dementia

A group of nine older adults gathered around a table at an indoor event, smiling at the camera.

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

Open just since May, and flying much under the radar so far, the New Journeys Structured Day Program on Dix Avenue offers socialization and activities for those with dementia or traumatic brain injuries, as well as respite for their caregivers. “It’s been slow going getting the word out,” says director Kelly Hanafin.

Located behind the Little Caesar’s takeout at East Field Medical Arts Plaza, …

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Our September 14 front page

Scanned front page of The Chronicle newspaper from September 14-20, 2023, featuring hot air balloons at the 50th Adirondack Balloon Festival.

Health & Fitness Issue 50th Balloon Fest: ‘More special shapes than ever’ Newspapers are in free fall. Maury Thompson. Lake George Jazz. Open Door will host Code Blue Shelter after all this winter. DOT says there’s hope to finish Rt. 254 project next month. Ryan Holderman’s The Gym in Mall’s former TJ Maxx space. ARCC Juckett Award to Robert Nemer. Concerts, comedy, shows… The Chronicle always has the region’s best …

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50th Balloon Fest: ‘More special shapes than ever’

The 50th Adirondack Balloon Festival — Wednesday to Sunday, Sept. 20-24 — expects 97 hot air balloons including 14 or 15 special shapes.

It’s the most balloons in years, and “more special shapes than we ever had before,” organizer Mark Donahue tells The Chronicle.

Among them: three flying Penguins, a bathtub-friendly Rubber Duck, Simbala the lion, a cheetah, a flying Watermelon, festival regulars “Sunny Boy”…

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