Breakfast with Santa
Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161 (1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs) presents a Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 21 from 8:30-11 a.m. Fruit cocktail, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, sausage, ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea will be available with an $8 requested donation. Seniors and military (active/retired with ID card) $7. Takeouts are $8. For more information, call (518) 584-2585.
Saratoga Frozen
Springs Classic
Games of the second annual Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic pond hockey tournament will take place Feb. 6-8 at the Saratoga Spa State Park. All games are played four-on-four, round robin style. Games shall be 40 minutes long consisting of two 20-minute halves with a two-minute break between halves. Register your team today at www.saratogafrozenspringsclassic.com.
Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop
Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop, 116 Broad St. in Schuylerville, extends its store hours for the Holiday Season. The Thrift Shop Holiday hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with in-store sales. Special sales items are picture frames, wine & cocktail glasses, Christmas cards and stockings. Snow days policy: when Schuylerville District Schools are closed because of inclement weather, Second Hand Rose Thrift Shop is closed as well. For further information, please call the Thrift Shop at 695-4640.
Over-30 Basketball at Gavin
Grab your sneakers and get ready for Over-30 Basketball! Designed with the mature, basketball-playing crowd in mind, the Over-30 Basketball Program is for adults, ages 30 and over. This is a drop-in activity which runs Mondays, 8-10 p.m. now through May 19. The weekly fee is $5 per person (cash only), and a maximum of 20 players can participate on any given night. Any questions, please contact the park office at (518) 584-9455.
First Night Saratoga 5K Run
The 17th annual First Night Saratoga 5K Run, presented by the Saratoga Arts, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m. The run is limited to the first 1,500 registrants. There is no day of race registration. The race has sold out for the past 13 years. A ChronoTrack B-Tag computerized scoring system will be used. The USA Track and Field certified course starts and finishes on the Skidmore College Campus. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female finishers in five-year age categories. All finishers will receive a First Night commemorative medal. Registration is $30. Refreshments following the race. Showers and restrooms available in the athletic complex. Save time by registering online or download an application and map at www.saratoga-arts.org. There is no additional fee for registering online. For further information contact First Night Saratoga at (518) 584-4132.
Annual Coat Drive
Donations for the eighth annual coat drive are being accepted now through Jan. 7, the Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company (4208 Route 50 and 227 Ballard Road, Wilton) is hosting their annual Coat Drive. The Jones Road and Ballard Road offices of Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company are collecting winter coats and other cold-weather clothing items to benefit the Adirondack Vets House. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours. For more information about the coat drive, call the Jones Road branch at (518) 587-8484.
Polar Express Comes to Saratoga
The Polar Express comes to the Saratoga North Creek Railway (26 Station Lane, Saratoga Springs). Take your child to experience the magic of the season on a mystical round-trip journey to an extravagantly built North Pole. Read along with the story as the train makes its magical round trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, a treat, and a special gift for each child. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas, just like in the story. Trips remaining are December (16-23, 26-28). Ticket prices vary by class and availability.
Annual Members’ Art Show
The ever-popular, year-end show is a great opportunity for established and emerging member artists to display their best works in a professional exhibition at The Arts Center Gallery and celebrate their many talents with fellow artists and the community. The show goes from now to Dec. 31. Annually, with over 150 artists exhibiting artworks ranging from painting, drawing and printmaking to sculpture, functional fine art and photography, the annual Members’ Show promises to be a real treat. For more information call (518) 584-4132.
Yoga at Gavin Park
Gavin Park is now offering Yoga on Sunday mornings, 8-9 a.m. beginning Jan. 11. This class is designed to help you become familiar with basic yoga postures, breathing and healthy alignment. Focus will be on standing poses and key principles of alignment to increase strength, balance, stamina, and flexibility. Pre-registration is required. No drop-ins will be allowed. A minimum of eight people must register for a session to run. Cost for Wilton Residents is $45, Saratoga Springs School District Residents is $55, and all others are $60. Registration ends Jan. 9. You can register in person at Gavin Park, or visit online at www.townofwilton.com/departments/parks-and-recreation. Questions may be answered by calling the park office at (518) 584-9455.
Breakfast and Photos
with Santa!
You and your family are invited to join for a scrumptious and fun breakfast with Santa and friends, benefiting the WGY Christmas Wish, at Curtis Lumber (885 Rt. 67, Ballston Spa, 7-10 a.m.). Each breakfast is just a $5 donation to the WGY Christmas Wish. 810 WGY on-air personalities Joe Gallagher, along with Chuck and Kelly, will be holding a live radio show. There will also be pictures with Santa for the kids and the young at heart. Do not miss this fun yearly tradition! Breakfast is sponsored by Panza’s Restaurant. For more info visit www.wgy.com or call Curtis Lumber at (518) 885-5311.
Saratoga Film Forum December Films
Saratoga Film Forum film presentations are screened at the Saratoga Arts Center, 320 Broadway, on Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. on Sundays, with the exception of the free Spring Street Classics series presented at 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. Refreshments are available. General admission is $7; $5 for Film Forum members and students; some levels of membership include admission. New members, sponsors, volunteers and advertisers are always welcome. For more information, go to www.saratogafilmforum.org, call (518)584-FILM or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
The 18th Annual Capital Holiday Lights in the Park is an awe-inspiring show with over 125 light displays and scenes from now until Jan. 3 at Washington Park in Albany. It’s open every day from 6-10 p.m. Cost is $15-$75 depending on the size of the group. Drive through the park and admire the beautiful sights!
Gavin Park Pickleball
Come on down to Gavin Park and join the fun playing the net court game of pickleball. This game is played by 2 or 4 people on a badminton-sized court using wood, or composite paddle racquets and a plastic, poly baseball with or without holes. No commitment required. Drop-in registration takes place in the park office, Mondays- Friday, now through April. Session fee is $3 per person, per visit, 9:15-11:15 a.m. Any questions, contact the park office at (518) 584-9455.
The Puppet People Present Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’
A Charles Dickens holiday classic will take place at the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 1-2 p.m. on Dec. 29. This show features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites, and a giant 9-foot parade puppet. This program is for ages five and older. Free tickets can be picked up at the library. Shows will be at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information call (518) 584-7860.
Monday Night Pool League
Monday night pool league at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant (113 Route 9P, Malta) starts at 7 p.m. on Dec. 29. This is new so don’t be afraid to just show up and bring a friend. Cost is $5. Any questions call (518) 584-0227.
Community Invited to Winter Concerts in the Ballston Spa Schools
The Ballston Spa Central School District Music Department is presenting several concerts during the upcoming weeks. The concerts are free and members of the community are welcome at all venues. Students and families are specifically invited and encouraged to attend and support the performing artists. The Middle School Winter Concerts will begin on Dec. 15, featuring the seventh grade band, chorus and orchestra. On December 16, the sixth grade band, chorus and orchestra will perform. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the High School Auditorium. The students from Malta Avenue will present a Winter Concert on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Malta Avenue Auditorium at 70 Malta Avenue. The Milton Terrace North Elementary and Wood Road Elementary Schools will host a combined Winter Concerts featuring the Orchestra, Band and Chorus in the Cafetorium, 200 Wood Road, on January 15 at 7 p.m. The Gordon Creek Elementary School will host their annual Winter Concert featuring the orchestra, band and chorus in the Gymatorium, 50 Wood Road, on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Please call the appropriate school for additional information and/or check the events calendar on the school district website at www.bscsd.org.
Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk
The Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1at 11 a.m. in the Saratoga Spa State Park. The Camp Saratoga 8K Snowshoe Race will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. Camp Saratoga will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is a qualifier for the U.S. National Snowshoe Championship. Go to www.saratogastryders.org to download an application or link to online registration at www.active.com. A limited supply of Dion Snowshoes will be available at a $5 rental charge. Email Laura Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a pair or phone (518) 581-1278. For information about the entire Dion Snowshoe Series and for snow updates visit www.runwmac.com.
