Building the future while celebrating the past
Sherman’s Park is open during construction for the 2026 Caroga Lake Music Festival!
This summer marks a defining moment in the ongoing revitalization of Sherman’s Park.
Caroga Arts Collective officially breaks ground on the stagehouse at Sherman’s Park. This milestone, years in the making, reflects the organization’s commitment to creating an enduring home for the arts in Caroga Lake while preserving and investing in a cherished community landmark.
As construction begins, visitors will see progress
taking shape, but one thing remains unchanged:
the music continues.
What to Expect This Summer
The Caroga Lake Music Festival returns for another unforgettable season, and Sherman’s Park and the carousel remain open. We look forward to welcoming audiences, artists, and families all season long as we continue our mission of bringing world-class music and cultural experiences to the Southern Adirondacks.
Carousel and Ferris Wheel Update
The Carousel building received a new roof earlier this Spring, thanks to the support from the Charles R. Wood Foundation, to help prevent future leaks and better protect it for years ahead. The Carousel will once again be open for rides this season. The Ferris wheel has been carefully taken down so it can undergo inspection, restoration, foundation work, and a much-needed facelift. Once complete, it will be reinstalled in a new location beside the Carousel. These renovations are part of Caroga Arts Collective’s commitment to preserving the magic, memories, and legacy of this historic venue for our community.
Parking and Event Access
Visitors will continue to utilize the same four parking areas currently used during major events, including three lots adjacent to the venue and an overflow lot near the Caroga Post Office. As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the visitor experience, we continue to make annual upgrades to parking areas and traffic flow. During construction, parking will remain available to concertgoers. Any parking updates will be shared prior to scheduled events.
Continued Focus on Your Experience
To further enhance safety and convenience, Caroga Arts has invested in additional event staff, parking attendants, security personnel, and EMT coverage for outdoor performances.
A venue designed to embrace the lakeside setting at Sherman’s
The Stagehouse at Sherman’s Park:
Construction begins June 2026
The stagehouse has been thoughtfully designed to embrace the natural beauty of Caroga Lake rather than compete with it. One of the most unique features is the glass-backed design, which preserves sweeping views of the lake behind the stage, allowing audience members to enjoy both world-class performances and one of the Southern Adirondacks’ most beautiful waterfront vistas at the same time.
The orientation of the stagehouse will open sightlines toward the lake, creating opportunities for those enjoying Caroga Lake by boat to experience the energy and excitement of live performances from the water.
Follow along as we track the progress of this once-in-a-generation transformation.
Each completed phase represents an investment in the future of Sherman’s and helps ensure that this historic property continues serving the community for generations to come.
Creating an immersive an uniquely Caroga Arts experience
The Complete Amphitheater at Sherman’s Park:
Construction to begin Spring 2028
The amphitheater experience will include a combination of covered and open-air seating. The rear arch structure will provide covered seating, while the stage house roof itself extends beyond the performance area to provide protection for performers and portions of the audience.
The venue is being designed with flexibility in mind, including opportunities for innovative “on-stage” concert experiences that will allow audience members to share the performance space with artists for select events.
The overall capacity of Sherman’s Park will remain approximately 1,800 guests—the same as it is today. The new venue is designed to create a more comfortable and intimate concert experience rather than a larger one.
The Artist Lodge at Myhil:
Currently under construction
Construction continues on the Artist Lodge at the historic Myhil property, a cornerstone project that will provide dedicated housing, rehearsal space, and creative resources for visiting artists.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the Artist Lodge will strengthen Caroga Arts’ ability to attract exceptional artists from around the world while deepening educational and cultural opportunities throughout the region.
Together, the campus infrastructure investments at both Sherman’s and Myhil represent a bold vision for the future—a year-round cultural destination that serves artists, residents, visitors, and future generations alike.
A project made possible through partnership
The Amphitheater at Sherman’s represents years of planning and collaboration from partners who believe in the power of the arts to strengthen communities
Caroga Arts Collective is proud to have been awarded $5.2 million through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) as part of a statewide capital investment initiative supporting arts and cultural facilities across New York. This transformational grant provides critical funding toward the completion of the amphitheater and helps ensure that Sherman’s Park will continue serving artists, residents, and visitors for generations to come.
Combined with the generosity of community supporters, this investment demonstrates a shared belief in the future of Sherman’s and the lasting impact of arts and culture in the Southern Adirondacks.
While this grant represents a significant milestone, community support remains essential as we continue building the full vision for the Sherman’s campus.
Every donation to Caroga Arts helps turn vision into reality
When you attend a concert, sponsor an event, or make a financial gift, you are helping build something that will serve the community for decades to come.
You are helping to create:
- A permanent state-of-the-art amphitheater for world-class performances
- A home for artists through the Myhil Artist Lodge
- Expanded educational opportunities for students of all ages
- A vibrant cultural destination that strengthens the local economy and enriches community life through the arts
- Most importantly, you are helping restore Sherman’s as a place where people gather around music.
Generations ago, families came here to dance, celebrate and experience live entertainment together. Today, thanks to supporters like you, that tradition is being renewed for a new generation.
As construction begins and progress becomes visible across the campus, we invite you to be part of the story. This is the future you are helping build. Together, we are preserving a cherished landmark, honoring its history, and creating an enduring home for music at Sherman’s Park.
