Big Bang Fireworks Secures Approval, Pledges Portion of Sales to Youth Athletics

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May 7, 2026

BigBang and Athletics — Big Bank Fireworks supports Lake Placid Athletics

The Lake Placid Athletic Association may have walked away with one of the biggest wins of the night Monday as the Town of Lake Placid approved Big Bang Fireworks’ request to continue seasonal fireworks sales at Royal Oaks Shopping Plaza — along with a community commitment that could directly benefit local student athletes.

The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a five-year special exception allowing Big Bang Fireworks to continue operating a temporary fireworks tent at the plaza near U.S. 27. The approval covers two seasonal sales periods each year and includes operational conditions related to safety, parking, signage, lighting, security, and site maintenance.

But the strongest comments of the evening centered less on fireworks sales and more on community investment.

Speaking on behalf of the Lake Placid Athletic Association, Will Greer told board members that owner Justin Driggers has committed to donating 10 percent of all Lake Placid tent sales proceeds back to the organization. The association supports middle and high school athletic programs, helping cover expenses such as equipment, referees, transportation, and scholarships for graduating seniors.

“This is more than a business request,” Greer said during public comment. “It’s a community partnership.”

Greer explained that every purchase made at the tent would help fund opportunities for local students and athletes, calling it “an investment in our youth.”

The comments were echoed by local teacher Toya Addison, who said she has worked for Big Bang Fireworks for 15 years as a side job during school breaks. Addison told the board that many of the employees are local teachers, parents, and community members, and that the company consistently reinvests in the area.

Town Planner Dana Ridell noted that the company had remained compliant during last year’s operation, which helped support the recommendation for a longer five-year approval rather than the one-year term granted previously. The tent location has also shifted slightly within the shopping plaza to avoid conflicts with future development and traffic concerns tied to the upcoming Watermill Express installation.

Attorney Rich Irvin, representing Big Bang Fireworks, told the board the company has operated in the Lake Placid area for more than 20 years and employs local residents, including teachers and firefighters. He described the business as heavily focused on safety, planning, and code compliance.

Board members ultimately approved the request unanimously, including continued use of a storage container on site.

Placid Lodge Honors 2026 Ladies of the Lake

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May 7, 2026

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The men of Placid Lodge #282 honored 12 local women during the Lady of the Lake awards ceremony held May 5 at the lodge on Main Avenue.

Family and friends gathered for an evening of fellowship and a steak dinner prepared by members of the lodge before the ceremony moved into the lodge’s formal meeting room.

The Lady of the Lake Award recognizes women whose service often happens quietly and without recognition. Honorees were celebrated for work ranging from feeding the hungry and mentoring youth to leading community projects and supporting local organizations — many while balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities.

This year’s recipients included Margaret Dear, Ana Valdovinos, Nicole Brown, Christy Crews, Teresa Nicolai, Eugenia Moorehead, Pam Brewer, Sara Pipal, Sharon Kinder, Stephanie Moreo and Paula Fabik.

The evening reflected the kind of steady volunteerism that often shapes small communities behind the scenes — service carried out quietly, consistently and without expectation of recognition. Former recipients: Eddie Mae Henderson, Melissa Blackman, Karen Denning, Eileen May, Kim Moody, Norma Rizer, Sarah Sholtz, Elaine Strong, Merry Cresswell, Tiffany Green, Emma Reynolds Ezell, Mable M. Henderson, Saundra Bass, Patty Bloom, Jeanne Fortier, Anita McDaniel, Harriet Porter, Tracee Leaphart, Elaine White, Katherine Cook, Katherine Main, Darlene Phypers, Danielle Daum, and Katie Parker

First Poet Added to Lake Placid Poetry Trail

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May 7, 2026

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Aydon Gonzales first poet selected

The newest addition to the Lake Placid Poetry Trail comes from a young local writer whose work focuses on the world immediately around him.

Aydon Gonzales, an eighth grader at Crane Brook Academy, became the first poet selected to have a poem installed along the new trail. His writing often centers on observations from everyday life — the people, places, and moments he notices around him.

In addition to poetry, Aydon also enjoys writing short stories. He said writing became a bigger part of his life because of a teacher who encouraged and inspired him. After that teacher became ill, he admitted his writing slowed down some, though he still continues to write for himself.

For Aydon, writing is less about recognition and more about the process itself.

He describes it as calming and gratifying — a personal outlet that allows him to slow down and reflect on the things he sees around him.

To listen to Aydon read his poem, scan the QR code. Aydon’s Winning Poem:

Basketball Courts See Long-Awaited Improvements

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May 4, 2026

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Progress is finally visible at the basketball courts next to the library, as the Town of Lake Placid has completed repairs to the lighting and replaced the backboards.

For many in the community, these updates have been a long time coming—basic fixes that make a noticeable difference in usability, especially during evening hours.

Additional work is already planned. Pressure washing and restriping of the courts are expected next, which will further improve both appearance and playability.

May 16 Market at the Museum Returns

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May 4, 2026

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On Saturday, May 16, the Society will host another Market at the Museum, inviting local crafters, bakers, vintage and antique sellers, and other vendors to set up and share their work. There is no fee to participate. Organizers are simply asking vendors to reserve a space in advance. Vendors are asked to be in place by 10am.

The event will run from 11am – 3pm, with live entertainment by Barney and Nancy Miesse providing a steady backdrop throughout the day.

This date also marks the return of the Sugar Express Lake Placid Limited. Last month’s trip was canceled following the fire at the Fisheating Creek trestle, but U.S. Sugar has since completed repairs and rail service is back in operation. The train is expected to arrive around noon with approximately 300 passengers. As of this date, only 3 seats remain on the train.

There is no charge to visit the museum and it is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10am-3pm.

Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum, 12 W. Park St.

www.lakeplacidhistoricalsociety.org.

To reserve your space, contact Sylvia Marine 863-214-0973

The Gilded Cypress Brings Curated Home Décor to Interlake

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May 4, 2026

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A new home décor shop has opened at 249 East Interlake, bringing a mix of vintage and new pieces to downtown Lake Placid.

The Gilded Cypress is a small boutique, but it’s layered. Shelves and displays are filled with decorative home goods, gift items, and custom gift basket options. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just walk through—you stop, look, and take it in.

Owner Andrea Jeter developed her eye early. She spent much of her youth traveling through Pennsylvania with her parents, going to flea markets and estate sales. That influence is clear in the shop. Nothing feels one-note. The inventory blends styles, textures, and time periods in a way that feels collected rather than stocked.

Jeter is hands-on with customers. She can help pull together a gift or talk through how pieces might work in a room. There’s a practical side to what she offers—not just décor, but guidance.

While Jeter now lives in Lake Placid, she still works full-time in Arcadia. For now, the shop is open Saturdays and Sundays. During the week, she is available by appointment to discuss merchandise or custom orders.

There’s a lot packed into the space, and it’s meant to be experienced that way. It’s not a quick stop. It’s a place to spend a little time and see what you find.

The Gilded Cypress, 249 East Interlake (next to Heartland Crafted)

Open Saturdays 9am – 5pm and Sundays 10am – 4pm

Find her on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559335329705

New Planters Installed on Interlake as CRA Work Continues

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May 4, 2026

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CRA Planter on Interlake — Jim Fitaegerald of the Town of Lake Placid positions new planter on Interlake

New planters have been installed along Interlake Boulevard, marking the latest step in the ongoing downtown improvements led by the Lake Placid Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

This follows last year’s installation of flower-filled planters on Main Street and broader landscaping work along Interlake. While the Main Street additions came together more quickly, progress on Interlake has taken longer—largely due to irrigation challenges that had to be worked out before additional elements could be added.

The planters now in place are part of that continued effort, but their installation required additional consideration. Unlike Main Street, plant selection and placement along Interlake must account for traffic visibility. Any landscaping in these areas has to remain low-growing and unobtrusive to ensure clear sightlines for drivers.

These updates are one piece of a larger, ongoing CRA initiative aimed at improving and revitalizing the downtown corridor. As with earlier phases, the work is being implemented incrementally, addressing both aesthetic improvements and underlying infrastructure issues as they arise.

The CRA itself was established to focus investment within designated areas, using increases in property values to fund improvements like infrastructure and streetscape enhancements

Wele Food Truck Festival Reflects Community—and Purpose Behind It

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May 4, 2026

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The Wele Food Truck Festival of Highway Park, held May 2, brought a steady crowd to the community garden, with residents of all ages coming through over the course of the afternoon. Food trucks were set up throughout, along with desserts, ice cream, and lemonade. A jump castle kept kids busy, and the live entertainment was outstanding.

What stood out wasn’t just the turnout, but the interaction.

Neighbors were talking. Young people were engaged. There were moments where older residents shared perspective and experience—small conversations, but meaningful ones.

Organizations were also present. Hicoria Pines was on site, speaking with residents about their programs and the path to homeownership, adding another layer beyond the festival atmosphere.

The event itself was inspired by the Wele Youth Camp, specifically a “Shark Tank”-style exercise where students developed business ideas. The camp is part of the Wele Youth Program created by the Highway Park Neighborhood Council (HPNC), focused on underserved students in grades 10 through 12 across Highlands County.

The program centers on practical skills—communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. Students are introduced to concepts like business planning, proposal development, and understanding financial systems. The goal is exposure—giving them tools and knowledge they may not otherwise encounter.

The festival served as a natural extension of that effort—bringing the broader community into the same space.

The event was organized by the Highway Park Neighborhood Council and Stand Together Never Alone, led by Evelyn Colon and Tiffany Green, with support from a committed group of volunteers. For more information: https://www.hpng.org/

Fireworks Tent Seeks New Placement, Longer Approval at Royal Oaks Plaza

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May 4, 2026

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A familiar seasonal business is back before town officials—this time with a request to adjust its setup and extend its approval.

Big Bang Fireworks is seeking permission to operate its temporary retail tent at Royal Oaks Plaza on U.S. 27, with a proposed shift to a different location within the property and a request for a longer-term approval.

The company is not new to Lake Placid. Prior to last year, the tent operated near the American Legion on U.S. 27 South. In 2025, it received approval to move into Royal Oaks Plaza under a one-year arrangement. This year’s request builds on that approval, focusing on a new placement within the plaza and a longer timeline moving forward.

According to the application, the tent would be set up at 70 Plaza Avenue during the state’s designated fireworks sales periods around Independence Day and New Year’s.

The applicant is now requesting approval specifically for what is identified as the “secondary” tent location on the site plan, after withdrawing the originally proposed placement.

Town officials will be looking closely at how that change fits within the layout of the shopping center, particularly in relation to parking and traffic flow. The setup is expected to use a portion of the plaza’s parking area and include space for storage and a portable restroom.

One of the key issues in the request is the use of a metal storage container for inventory. While that type of structure does not align with the town’s architectural standards, it was used during the previous approval period without specific restrictions.
The applicant is asking to continue using it, citing security concerns.

The other major consideration is how long the approval should last.

The company is requesting a five-year approval, pointing to its prior compliance. Town staff has indicated support for that timeline, though the Board of Adjustments will ultimately decide whether a longer approval is appropriate for a seasonal, temporary use.

At its core, the request is less about whether fireworks sales belong in the area and more about how—and for how long—the operation fits within an active commercial center.

The Board of Adjustments is scheduled to take up the request at its Monday, May 4 at 5:30pm. the meeting is also streamed live : https://www.youtube.com/@lakeplacidflgov7268

LPHS Night of the Arts Showcases Student Talent

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April 30, 2026

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Lake Placid High School held its Night of the Arts Tuesday evening, bringing together student work from across its art, music, and culinary programs.

The event included a display of student artwork, including drawings, paintings, and ceramics. There were enough pieces to display that the exhibit had to be set up in the cafeteria to accommodate the volume of work.

The program featured choir, concert band, and jazz ensemble selections, along with a few solo performances. The mix included both traditional and more contemporary pieces, with students performing as part of groups and individually.

Culinary students provided refreshments for the evening, including banana pudding and fudge.