2 weeks Ago
She highlighted events like the Northville-Placid Trail 100 kickoff, Gloversville's food and wine festival, and the PGA Hope event at Fox Run Golf Club in Johnstown. “I really felt like it was just a banner summer,” Kolbe said. “The weather seemed to have cooperated.
It didn't feel as rainy as other summers. And honestly, so much of what we do here in Fulton County does have to do with the outside.” Kolbe noted an increase in outdoor activities and agritourism post-COVID, with local farms and businesses thriving.
She emphasized the family-friendly nature of Fulton County's tourism and its economic benefits for local businesses. “I'm just happy to say that I have seen a lot of activity,” she said. “What I noticed more this year is how many families were involved and how many little kids were involved.
” Kolbe became the county’s tourism coordinator in March 2023, when the Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce divested itself of the responsibility per the wishes of both Fulton and Montgomery counties. She said Fulton County is more organic, and whereas Montgomery County has the Mohawk River, Fulton County has the mountains. She also said people are much more conscious of who's growing their food and where it's coming from saying farms, farm stores and farm stands are busy since people are happy to support them.
“Tourism is more or less people coming in from 55 miles away and beyond,” Kolbe said. “When people are coming in, they're not just paddling and boating on our lakes or fishing, but they're going to the stores. They're stopping at the restaurants.
It is a win-win for everybody here.” Lisa Servello, owner of Driftwood Park in Mayfield, said it was an unusually busy season compared to the last two years. "I think it may have been the economy recovering from COVID," she said.
"We still see boaters enjoying the last of the good weather." Kolbe said even better things are in store for Fulton County tourism including haunted Halloween, fall foliage, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. “We're on the New York state haunted history trail, and we have four different venues that are all very interesting: Knox Mansion, the Fulton County Historic Society, historic Broadalbin Hotel, and the Timeless Tavern in Northville,” she said.
Kolbe is working with Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall-Saladino on events throughout the 2025-26 year to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. “We have some really great Revolutionary War history right here in Fulton County,” Kolbe said. Among them, Kolbe mentioned the Rice Homestead, where a member of the Rice family was a courier to George Washington, and Sir William Johnson State Historic Site.
“Even Nick Stoner had his contributions,” she said. “I kind of feel that what has been happening is if we build it, they will come,” Kolbe said. For further information, visit www.
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