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Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

The Great Escape’s season will begin on Saturday, May 19 and on opening weekend only, tickets will be available for $20.12.Guests can purchase the reduced tickets at sixflags.com and guests who come to the park with a non-perishable canned food item to the park and receive the same special $20.12 admission. The can goods will be donated to the Salvation Army. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to...

The eighth annual Team Billy Ride and Walk for Research steps off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from the site of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market at High Rock Park.

The event raises funds fo rbrain tumor research. There will be three bike ride distances of 50‑, 25‑, and 10‑miles. These rides take place throughout Saratoga County with the 50‑mile course encompassing the historic Saratoga Battlefields. The 3‑mile walk starts at 9 a.m. with the route covering the historic district of Saratoga Springs.

Held in honor of Billy Grey, who died of glioblastoma multiforme on July 13, 2001,  just short of his 13th birthday, the event has raised nearly $60,000 over the yeras. .The Billy Grey Research Chair is administered through the National Brain Tumor Society and has been successful in funding over $1,000,000 in grants.

Food Revolution Day, a worldwide effort spearheaded by renowned chef Jamie Oliver to promote healthy eating, is Saturday.

The Jamie Oliver Foundation launched this first-ever global day of action, to inspire, educate, and empower people everywhere to “stand up for real food.”

Events both locally and around the globe aim to raise awareness on preventing diet-related diseases, inspire change in people’s food habits and offer the knowledge to make healthier food choices.

Wilton resident Deborah Czech organized several free events in Saratoga County. They include:

• Kids’ activities and food resource information from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, High Rock Park, Saratoga Springs.
• Food samplings from noon to 3 p.m. at Four Seasons Natural Foods, 33 Phila St., Saratoga Springs.
• A food and farms panel discussion at 2 p.m. at Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs.
• A kids planting party at 2 p.m. at 9 Miles East Farm, 136 Goff Road, Schuylerville. Each child will have a chance to help seed a row of spinach, then transplant a lettuce or cabbage plant. Limited to 10 participants; advance reservations required: 695-4158.
• Aan olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting and overview at 4 p.m. Saratoga Olive Oil, 484 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
• A large “sugar-Y” sculpture depicting sugar in popular drinks will be on display all day at the Saratoga Regional YMCA, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs.

More information is available at www.foodrevolutionday.com, via Twitter @FoodRevSaratoga, or by contacting Deborah Czech, Miles Ahead Communications,  at 581-0435.

Some of the plans for the 150th anniversary of racing have been announced and it is sure to be an amazing event. Officials have announced there will be concerts, contests, cash giveaways, free trips to Triple Crown races and more.

On Thursday people gathered at the historic Saratoga Race Course to listen to officials announce the first plans for the event that will be taking place next year. The event's honorary co-chair, Marylou Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson, were there. Both were very excited about this milestone event. 

Thoroughbred racing started in Saratoga in 1863 at the Horse Haven track near the present-day Oklahoma Training Track on the north side of Union Avenue. But the next year the racing moved to the other side of the street where it has been ever since. The official 150th anniversary date is August 3, 2013. 

People can support the sesquicentennial by purchasing a membership from $15 up to $150. These memberships will bring different benefits, such as apparel and admissions to different events. One lucky $150-level member will win a trip for two to all three 2013 Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes), including air fare and lodging.

Other activities will include a best-decorated business window contest, military encampments, a pops concert, horse shows, boxing at Saratoga Springs City Center and historical lectures and exhibits. It is sure to be one of the biggest events Saratoga has ever hosted.

The country's premiere tribute show to the tropical singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, Changes In Latitudes, are coming to the Parrot Head Festival in June! These guys (and girls) will transform the Saratoga County Fairgrounds into the ultimate beach party! Steve Kareta is on lead vocals/guitar for the band, and he really started the whole thing a while back after playing at one of his buddy's wedding party. After playing some Buffett for a few friends, they realized that Steve sort of looked like him, and really sounded like him.

There’s a lot going on in and around the Spa City this Mother’s Day weekend. I’ve posted a few events below. To see more, visit the calendar.

Friday

The Capital Region Guitar Show is this weekend, starting tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 50 Pine Road.  Musicians can buy, trade and sell new, used and vintage instruments, amps and other gear.

In less than a month, the Dave Matthews Band will descend on the area for a two-night stint. In the meantime, you can check out tribute band Big Eyed Phish at 9 p.m. at Vapor Nightclub in the Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Saturday

Celebrate the state’s canal system in southern Saratoga County at the Waterford RiverSpark Canal Festival. From 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy live music, dance reviews, puppet shows, local vendors, food and Radio Disney.

Spruce up your springtime garden. Divide your perennials and trade the extras with other gardeners at Sunnyside’s annual Passionate for Perennials Plant Swap starting at 10 a.m. All healthy perennials, trees and shrubs are welcome.

Take a food tour of the Spa City starting at the popular Saratoga Springs Farmers Market at 12:30 p.m. The Saratoga Springs Food Tour combines a little history of the city with food sampling stops at several local eateries.

Sunday

Today’s Mother’s Day so spend the day spoiling mom.

Here are some restaurant specials in the area, courtesy of Table Hopping blogger Steve Barnes.

Also, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga welcomes Mom for free from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m.

For something different, see Llamas will invade the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m.  Members of 4-H will introduce their llamas (courtesy of Katrina and Gary Capasso’s Dakota Ridge Farm) before a  special Mother’s Day reading of “Is Your Mama a Llama?” Children will have a chance to pet the creatures so bring your camera. Click here for more information.

The Saratoga 150 Committee will announce its programming to celebrate the founding of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Horse Haven Track on the Oklahoma side of Saratoga Race Course.

Charles V. Wait, president and CEO of the Adirondack Trust Company,
and two longtime Saratogians, John Hendrickson and Joseph Dalton, will announce a five-month set of events to pay tribute to the oldest sporting venue in the U.S., which got its start at Horse Haven in 1863.
Among the expected announcements are the launching of a Friends Group, a new interactive website, forums for collecting old photos, videos and memorabilia, plans for a May 2013 kickoff, the announcement of honorary chairs, founding members and more.

The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs (WSSS) will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a “Founders & Friends Celebration” on Saturday.

Open to the community, the event will include an all-campus open house with music, refreshments and art exhibit on “Wisdom and Wholeness of the Waldorf Curriculum,” curated by Mary Roberts.

A 1 .p.m opening ceremony will feature Charles V. Wait, president, CEO and chairman of the Board of The Adirondack Trust Company; Mark Strauss, local entrepreneur and WSSS parent; and keynote speaker Kiara Nagel, a WSSS alumna from the founding class.

The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, with a current enrollment of 250 students, is an independent, nonsectarian, co-educational school for children from birth to Grade 12 that cultivates academic knowledge, artistic work, and practical skills in its students.

Founded in 1981, WSSS began as the Spring Hill School located in the parlor of Temple Sinai on Broadway.  In 1987, the organization expanded and purchased the historic building #7 at 62 York Avenue. In 1996, the high school was founded at 122 Regent St. Over the years, the school has expanded to include an Early Childhood Center on Lake Avenue and most recently, a Forest Kindergarten program on Kaydeross Avenue in cooperation with Saratoga Spa State Park.

For more information visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org.

No plans for the weekend? Here’s a few suggestions. Need more? Check out our online calendar.

Friday

Harold Ford transforms into the Man in Black in “The Spirit of Johnny Cash” at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Music Hall. The concert also features  Laura Lucy as June Carter and The Cash Band.

Saturday

Star 101.3 FM presents Mom & Kids Day from noon to 4 p.m. at Wilton Mall. The celebration features performances by 12-year-olds Matthew Boyce as Elvis the King and Anthony Gargiula and the AG Dance Crew; Great Escape Timbertown characters;  Mother’s Day card crafts; free photos with Star 101.3 FM’s Twinkle the Bear; prizes and more.

Also at Wilton Mall, Comic Depot will celebrate Free Comic Book Day with events, exhibits, creators, children’s activities and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Partial proceeds will benefit the Franklin Community Center.

Browse the many vendors and their wares inside and on the lawn of the Crafty Shopper’s Marketplace 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Malta Community Center. 

I personally know of only one song from Christina Perri, “Jar of Hearts,” but that songs alone would be reason enough to go see her perform at Northern Lighst (alas, home with the kids). The singer-songwriter takes the stage at 8 p.m.

Sunday

WILDWOODstock 2012, the fifth annual fundraiser supporting Wildwood Programs, kicks off at noon at the Parting Glass Pub and features a nine-hour slate of musicians, including Olivia Quillio, The Blisterz, Erin Harkes, Rob Skane and others. Tickets are $10 at the doors. Wildwood Programs serves children with complex learning disabilities, autism and adults with varying developmental disabilities.

If you have a nifty artifact or old-school relic, bring artifacts it to the  Saratoga Springs Public Library between noon and 4 p.m. As part of Artifact Identification Day, experts will be on hand to identify your find, assist with dating, use, material and manufacturer.

Saratoga Chabad presents this third annual Holocaust Memorial Lecture, “I Believe,” at 7 p.m.   Holocaust survivor Leibel Zisman will share his story of how he grew up, how he survived, and how he never lost his faith.

Good afternoon. I wanted to share with you two interesting history-related events happening around Saratoga Springs.

Next Thursday, May 10th, former U.S. President and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant will visit the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Steve, Trimm, tour guide at Grant Cottage, researcher and educator, will portray Grant in 1880, just after his return from his two-year trip around the world. Grant had visited Saratoga several times. On this visit, he will reminisce with old friends, look back on his life and talk about his childhood, the Civil War and presidential years. Grant is expected to offer a few lessons and insights into human nature.

In five years, Grant will be penniless and dying atop Mount McGregor in Wilton while cranking out his memoirs. The Brown Bag program is presented by the library and Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. The event will take place in the library. It’s free.

Also, Christopher Webber, the author of “American to the Backbone: The Life of Fugitive Slave James W. Pennington,” will speak at 7 p.m. May 15 in the Saratoga History Museum, located in the Canfield Casino.

James Pennington was illiterate when he escaped from slavery at the age of 19, but over time he became a school teacher, the first African-American student at Yale and helped desegregate the New York City street car system. He had many other notable achievements including working as a pharmacist in Saratoga Springs.
Insisting that “I am an American to the backbone,” Pennington and others resisted the efforts of the American Colonization Society to solve America’s race problem by sending those of African descent “back to Africa,” a continent most of them never knew. This is a critical part of America’s story and Christopher Webber’s book, American to the Backbone, has won praise from reviewers for the way it tells the story.