PRESS RELEASE
Major Donation to Breathe New Life into Historic Sherman’s Amusement Park in Caroga Lake, NY
Caroga Lake, NY (January 7, 2020) – Caroga Arts Collective (Caroga Arts), is pleased to announce that local resident George Abdella has donated the former Sherman’s Amusement Park lakefront property to the organization. Caroga Arts, one of the fastest growing non-profit community organizations in the Southern Adirondacks and the Mohawk Valley region, has been bringing world-class artists and educators to Caroga Lake since 2012 and presents the annual Caroga Lake Music Festival, MyHil Film Series, and InterArts Residencies among other arts initiatives.
Regarding the donation, Abdella stated at a Caroga town forum that, “Caroga Arts will attract the most talented musicians and artists of all kinds. It will be a wonderful thing and will make the town a better place.”
Sherman’s Amusement Park, once a major attraction of the Southern Adirondacks, has been closed for many, many years. In recent years, Caroga Arts has taken initiative to put Sherman’s back on the map by presenting accessible community events including the Sherman’s Revival Series, SaundersFest, Caroga Tree Lighting, and the Red, White, Blues & Bluegrass Festival. This donation will bring a new level of energy and focus that will help restore this iconic property to its previous glory.
Caroga Arts Artistic and Executive Director Kyle Barrett Price said, “We are filled with gratitude for the exciting opportunity this generous donation presents, both for the organization and for the community as a whole. The historic lakefront Sherman’s is being placed in the care of Caroga Arts with the goal of turning it into a world-class arts and community center. We are excited for the future of Caroga Arts, Sherman’s, Caroga Lake, and the Southern Adirondacks. Together, we can fulfill our mission to reignite the Caroga experience through the arts.”
Since 2012, Caroga Arts has presented over 175 free events with more than 550 world-class artists, 15 educational programs, and attracted over 15,000 audience members to its events and programs. These talented artists have included winners of GRAMMY awards, NBC’s the Voice, America’s Got Talent, and various international competitions.
Caroga Arts Board Chair Rick Ruby noted that, “Caroga Arts, which recently received the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce Barbara V. Spraker Tourism Partner Award, and the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth Start-Up Business of the Year Award, is now poised to present amazing music and art in an unparalleled lakeside setting in the Southern Adirondacks.”
Caroga Arts is a registered 501(c)(3) organization sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts. Learn more at www.carogaarts.org.