Belleayre Events Heating Up for Summer

By Matthew Avitabile

HIGHMOUNT — There’s plenty of events upcoming for family fun at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. I had a chance to speak to Marketing Manager Joe McCracken from the Mountain for more information.

Mountain Jam is “three spectacular days” of music including a large number of bands, including headliners. McCracken said that it will be a “weekend full of music and community,” as well as a significant number of vendors.

“It’s going to be very exciting for us,” he said.

McCracken said that this is the first year Mountain Jam is returning after a hiatus, leading it to be “bigger and better than before.” The organizers described it as a “more intimate and immersive experience.”

The Mountain is working very closely with the concert organizers, and McCracken said that the effort has been “harmonious so far.”

Free Music on the Belle returns this summer with six exciting Friday night concerts from July 25 through August 29, running from 6 PM to 9 PM. Each evening will feature a different musical theme including Rock, Classic Rock, a Tom Petty tribute and more, offering something new each week. Originally created to fill a gap in Friday night programming, the series has grown from simple live music into a more eclectic and dynamic experience. “It’s all about variety,” said McCracken. “We wanted to give people a reason to come back every Friday night and it’s working.”This is the third year of the series and is “100% free” to attend.

Local food truck vendors are invited and gondola rides will be open for those interested to take a trip up the mountain. Gondola rides are available but are a separate fee. The gondola rides offer a unique view of the Mountain and the scenic Catskills environment.

Scenic gondola rides are available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from June 27 to Oct. 12 then Saturdays and Sundays during the Fall.

The Belleayre Beach is also available off of Route 28 in Pine Hill from June 27 through September 1 every day except Tuesdays including a white sand beach, a snack shack, kayaking, pedal boats, aquatrikes, and stand up paddleboarding.

It’s a perfect opportunity to bring the family. A season pass is $125 for the entire open period.

McCracken said that the summer opportunities at the Mountain have expanded in recent years. Over the years, Belleayre decided to expand its events and beyond local hiking. This includes disc golf, and a climbing wall.

“If we can bring people up to the mountain, it opens the door for them to discover everything the local community has to offer,” he said. The goal is to give visitors a chance to experience the full charm of the Catskills with its culture, natural beauty, and vibrant small towns.

The mountain has even more events on the horizon, all listed on the calendar at belleayre.com/calendar. Don’t miss the upcoming Movie Nights at Belleayre Beach—Wonka will be shown on July 19, followed by The Goonies on August 21. Both movies will begin around 8:30–9:00 PM, just as the sun sets over the water.