APRIL 2025

Lupine Fest

ALBANY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is celebrating the success of last year’s Lupine Fest and is looking ahead to an exciting Lupine Fest 2025. For the second year, the festival will run throughout the entire month of May, offering something to do every single day. 

Lupine Fest brings visitors together to celebrate the blooming wild blue lupine and the unique Albany Pine Bush ecosystem. Attendees explore through guided hikes, interactive exhibits, wildlife encounters, and even become community scientists by participating in conservation efforts. This year’s festival also introduces several new ways to connect art and nature through special programs and events.

Lupine Fest will continue to offer a monthlong schedule of events for all ages:

• Daily Activities – Something fun to do every day in May.

• StoryWalk Adventure – A self-guided nature story experience for families.

• Arts and Nature Programs – Explore the connection between creativity and the environment.

• Wildlife Encounters – Get up close with Pine Bush animals.

• Community Science – Help collect real conservation data.

• Live Music & Interactive Exhibits – Special events featuring hands-on learning and entertainment.

• Discovery Center Gift Shop Specials – Exclusive festival sales all month long.

The popular Pine Bush Passport program will continue in 2025. Attendees can collect stamps at different Lupine Fest events for a chance to win exciting prizes. Get ready for an unforgettable Lupine Fest. To learn more and register for events, visit albanylupinefest.org.

Mighty SMBA Challenge

SARATOGA SPRINGS – After an overwhelming response to their inaugural event last year, Saratoga Mountain Bike Association is excited that the Mighty SMBA Challenge will be back on Saturday, May 31. SMBA will again partner with Artisanal Brew Works to show off and challenge riders at their very own Daniels Road State Forest. All proceeds support SMBA and the trail networks they manage. 

The Mighty Challenge is not a race. The primary goal is to come together as a community, have a fantastic ride, and give back to the trails. While SMBA encourages friendly competition, safety should always be the top priority, so ride responsibly, respect other users, and look out for one another.

The ride start/finish at the Artisanal trailhead at DRSF, beginning with staggered groups. Riders will initially ride Sniffer, the new trail that connects Noob(ee) to Artisanal. SMBA will offer two stellar routes to ensure there is a challenge for everybody. Both have ensure they hit all the rocky and rootsy fun that make DRSF so unique and special to ride. The routes have changed slightly from last year.

Intermediate Loop, 10am – A 10-mile loop along a fun but challenging southern part of the trail network, which requires some technical riding skills, and will take two or more hours. Advanced Loop, 9am – A 20-mile loop around the northern and southern parts of the network for a true challenge on a very difficult route, requiring high technical riding skills and endurance, and will take four or more hours. 

This will be a self-supported ride. SMBA will mark the main intersections and have riders out on the routes, but downloading the files ahead of time is recommended. Each registration comes with a lunch, beer, and coffee in the morning. Each rider will also receive a ticket for a raffle. For maps and to register, go to: bikereg.com.