Saratoga Centennial Day
Saratoga Race Course will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its home city on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 during Saratoga Centennial Day. NYRA is offering free grandstand and clubhouse admission in honor of the historic milestone. The day-long event will feature activities, exhibits and entertainment which highlight the city’s tradition of “health, history, horses and the arts” at the Spa. Free admission.
2015 Ballston Spa Film Festival
This annual short film festival celebrates and shares the works of independent filmmakers from around the globe. 45 short films ranging in time from 30 seconds to 15 minutes from 15 different countries comprise this year’s four slates of films. The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, with an indoor showing of short films lasting just over an hour in the Ballston Spa High School Auditorium. These films are usually more mature in theme. At the same time both evenings, there will be a variety of food vendors, game and activity tables set up at the outdoor venue in downtown Ballston Spa at Old Iron Spring Park for families who want to enjoy the outdoor venue with screenings beginning at 9 p.m. An after party will take place both evenings at Brookside Museum which is just across the street from Old Iron Spring Park beginning the end of each slate just after 10 p.m. All events and screenings are free for anyone to attend. More information call (518) 441-4236.
Free Movies in the Park in Ballston Spa
Free movies in Wiswall Park are back for the ninth summer in a row, presented by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association. The movies are projected onto a large screen on the wall of the adjacent Front Street Deli building on Front Street in the village and begin at dusk, approximately 8:30-8:45 p.m. All screenings are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Movie snacks will be available, courtesy of North Star Church. “Cinderella” is the featured film on August 7 (rain date August 8). All films are family-friendly.
History, Legends, Lore and More Guided Walking Tour
A 90-Minute Walking Tour concentrates on historic Congress Park and the colorful characters that helped make Saratoga what it is. This guided tour of legends and lore will walk you through history while sipping the famous mineral waters and strolling through the Victorian Congress Park. Tours take place in July and August, each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tours will take place rain or shine and leave from the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center located at 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. $5.00 per person, children under 12 are free. For more information, contact the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center (518) 587-3241, http://www.saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com/.
Volunteers Needed
Are you 55 and over looking for a volunteer opportunity? Saratoga County Retired and Senior Volunteer program is looking to recruit kitchen volunteers to assist with serving meals and clean-up for the Senior Nutrition Program. Days are flexible with your schedules Monday-Friday. Hours are between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. the meal site is located at the Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs. For more information and details, please call Janet Haskell (518) 884-4110.
Veteran Volunteers Needed
The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association provides military burial ceremonies for all branches of service at the Saratoga National Cemetery. We are always looking for veterans to join us, no matter what branch you served in (male or female); you must have been honorably discharged. You can choose which day of the week (Monday-Friday) that you want to volunteer. For information go to our website www.snchga.com or contact Mark Brockway at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone (518) 260-9933 or contact the Cemetery Administration Office 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871, Phone (518)-581-9128.
Elderly Nutrition Program
The Saratoga County Office of the Aging Elderly Nutrition Program is currently distributing the Farmers’ Markets coupons to those who qualify. Coupons can be picked up at the Office for the Aging at 152 West High Street in Ballston Spa from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Coupons will also be available at the Office for the Aging information events throughout the county at various meal sites. For more information call (518) 884-4100.
Discovery Box Program Volunteers
This mentoring program is designed to help young children improve their reading and understand what they have read. A Discovery Box is a decorated theme box that includes related books and language and art activities. Using the box, volunteers will work individually with a child, foster a love of books, help raise comprehension levels, and share the enjoyment of reading. We are looking for volunteers for the upcoming school year throughout Saratoga County. Volunteers would go in for about a half hour once a week. Orientation and support will be provided. This is a very rewarding opportunity to participate in. RSVP volunteers are men and women age 55 and older who use their lifetime skills to provide a great range of services to community organizations. If you are interested please contact Janet Haskell at (518) 884-4110.
Annual Cardboard Boat Races
The race will be held on Saturday, August 8, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (rain date August 9) at Fort Hardy Beach, Route 29, Schuylerville. New this year, Firefighters Challenge Race. Hudson Crossing Park presents a family fun day that’s free for spectators, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Best photo opportunities are from noon – 2 p.m. On-site registration and construction for competitors is open from 8 – 11:30 a.m. More information, rules, online pre-registration discounts, and cardboard boat building links are available at www.hudsoncrossingpark.org. This event is sponsored in part by the Erie Canal Way National Heritage Corridor, NYS Canal Corporation, Schuylerville Chamber of Commerce, GE and Stewarts Holiday Match.
Self Defense and Safety Education for Women
Old Friends at Cabin Creek is offering our community a very special workshop designed to give women the skills they need in all phases of life and to be fearless when confronted with challenges. On August 11, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Self Defense and Safety Education for women will be presented by Lady Sensei of New York, Motivational speaker, Martial Arts Expert (please note this is a physical workshop so wear comfortable clothing and footwear). Also, “I am Fearlessly Me” presented by Christina Beauchemin, Life Coach and facilitator, Laurie Bonser of Changing Times Financial Health, Wellness and Fitness, a farm tour, Saratoga Winery Wine Tasting, Jewelry, Massages, and Skin Care. Cost is $25 per person. Advance tickets can be purchased via PayPal at www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com as well the day of the event.
Jailhouse Rock 5K
Race to benefit Brookside Museum and the Saratoga County Historical Society. The race will be held on
August 15, 2015, 8:30 a.m. The race starts at Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street, Ballston Spa, NY. Registrations are accepted now through day of race.
Annual Benefit Tournament for Code Blue of Saratoga Springs
Airway Meadows will be holding the annual benefit tournament on Saturday, August 15, 2015 with check-in at 11:30 a.m. The format is an 18 hole, 4-player scramble. Afterwards there will be a BBQ picnic during the awards announcements. There will be prizes for low gross/low net teams and other on course competitions. In addition, there will be a raffle drawing, silent auction and a live auction. Cost is $89 per player and deadline for entry is August 9. Hole sponsor signs are also available for $60 each. Call Airway Meadows Golf Club at (518) 792-4144 for more information or visit our website www.airwaymeadowsgolf.com.
9th Annual Clifton Park Elks Car, Truck and Bike Show
On Saturday, August 22, the Clifton Park Elks Lodge # 2466 will hold its 9th Annual Car Show. The Lodge is located at 695 MacElroy Road, Ballston Lake, NY. All years and makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. We have over 50 awards to registered vehicles. Fun, Music, 50/50 Raffles, and Great Food. Come see the contestant vehicles. Registration starts at 9 a.m. until noon and awards around 3:30 p.m. Contestant registration is $10; spectators are free. Rain date is Sunday, August 30. For Information call John Harrington @ 518-322-1551 or Mike Bendetti @ 495-0240 or visit the website: http://www.elks.org/SharedElksOrg/lodges/files/2466_Carshowflyer2015.pdf
The Health, History and Horses Charity Gala
Presented by Ladies of Charity, Saratoga Vicariate. Funds raised are distributed annually to established charities in Saratoga and Warren/Washington Counties: Catholic Charities, food kitchens, shelters, and tuition support programs. Thursday, August 27, 2015, 6 - 9 p.m. at Longfellows Restaurant , 500 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY. Complimentary Beer & Wine for the first hour, hot & cold food stations, cash bar, live music, silent auction & four seasons basket raffle. Cost is $65 per person payable to Ladies of Charity. For tickets visit, www.ladiesofcharitysaratoga.com. For more information contact Carol at (518) 584-7496. Attire is summer festive.
