Warren County Celebrates Workers at Great Escape

QUEENSBURY — Warren County celebrated hospitality and retail workers at the Six Flags Great Escape on Monday, September 12, offering prizes, food, and rides.

Over 200 local workers attended the event, according to a press release from the County. The Warren County Employment and Training Administration held the event in collaboration with the Great Escape to “reward the often unsung heroes of our tourism and retail industries,” states the release.

“It was our pleasure to host the inaugural seasonal employee appreciation event last night,” said Great Escape Resort President Rebecca Wood in the release. “It was amazing to see the business participation and to support our collective workforce. We look forward to making this an annual celebration. Our teams deserve the best.”

Gift cards to restaurants and stores, as well as free tickets to “local attractions” were given out to employees during the event. Attendees were informed of winter employment opportunities at Gore Mountain and Ice Castles, and offerings from the Warren County Employment and Training Administration.

“While the workforce shortage continues across all sectors, it is important that we celebrate and retain our workforce to keep our economy going,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Director of Employment and Training in the release. “This event was a team effort that included the enthusiastic partnership of Six Flags Great Escape, the generous donations of prizes from many local businesses and the time the hospitality businesses took to nominate their employees for the various awards categories. Warren County is now a 365-day tourism economy and we have plenty of work for everyone year-round.”

Proceeds from ticket sales went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, the release states, with guests of employees costing $5. Workers were admitted for free.

“We have seen a multitude of benefits when our returning seasonal workers work elsewhere in the winter,” said Patrick Welton, Resort Manager of Lake George Escape Campground, in the release. “They have additional skills, experience, and they can cross-promote our area’s offerings. I intend on giving two additional paid days off to my returning seasonal workers who obtained a winter job somewhere else.”

Staff from Glens Falls Hospital also sold raffle tickets, with the winner receiving a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid from Romeo Toyota. The drawing will take place in February 2023, according to the release.

“The goal is that this event will become a fixture on the Monday evening following Adirondack Nationals Car Show, so hospitality businesses can mark their calendars in advance and come celebrate together,” says the release.