LAKE PLACID, New York ??” The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will close its summer and fall seasons by hosting annual festivals at Whiteface and the MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex. The 13th Whiteface Oktoberfest will be held October 1-2 at the ski center, while the Flaming Leaves Festival, presented by Citizens Bank, is slated for October 7-9.

Oktoberfest activities will include original vendors, arts and crafts, children’s rides including the popular hayride, Bavarian food, drink and entertainment.

Die Schlauberger will make its yearly trek to Whiteface and perform under the red tent outside the base lodge. Also performing will be the Lake Placid Bavarians, Ed Schenk on the accordion, Die Lustigen Almdudler, popular juggler Stephen Gratto and others.

The Cloudsplitter Gondola ride will bring visitors and residents alike to the summit of Little Whiteface for stunning views of the Adirondack foliage in peak season. The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway will also be in operation enabling visitors to journey to the top of the state’s fifth highest peak.

Oktoberfest will be held Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. A complimentary shuttle service will be provided both days. Departure from the Olympic Center Box Office takes place at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. The bus will depart Whiteface and return to Lake Placid at 2 pm, 4 pm and 5:30 pm.

Daily admission for adults is $10 for the festival; $16 for the festival and a gondola ride. The junior and senior price is $5 for the festival and $11 for both. Children six years of age and under are admitted free of charge.

Columbus Day weekend will be celebrated with the Flaming Leaves Festival, presented by Citizens Bank. There will be vendors, games, a silent auction and musical entertainment with Dave Nichols and Spare Change as well as Roy Hurd and Frank Orsini.

The athletic highlights will come in the form of three ski jumping events ??“ a Super Tour event on Friday including the second leg of the Art Devlin Cup, and Continental Cup international ski jumping events Saturday and Sunday.

These jumping meets will feature many of the top athletes from the United States Ski Team, a group of elite jumpers from abroad and a contingent of USA women who are now recognized as the best women’s ski jumping team in the world. For some of the men, this will mark an opportunity to begin qualifying for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

More high-flying action will be found each afternoon at the Kodak Sports Park when some of the world’s top aerial skiers launch from the ramps. The Flaming Leaves Festival will also offer the Great Golf Ball Roll, a fundraiser for the New York Ski Educational Foundation. Daily entry fee is $12 for adults and $7 for juniors and seniors. Admission includes chairlift and elevator rides to the top of the 120 meter ski jump tower. Passports can be used to enter both festivals.

For more information on these as well as other ORDA events, please log on to www.orda.org.