August 2 – 8, 2024
Friday, August 2
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll
Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. – Noon. This 90-minute guided walking tour will entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents with the famed stories of this great city. Saratoga Springs was the playground of the rich and famous during the 1800’s and provides the stories of this wonderful, gilded period in our history. This unique and engaging tour will guide participants from the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center to Congress Park and will conclude with a complete tour of the elegant Canfield Casino. Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – Noon, $20 per person. For reservations, please call the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center: 518-587-3241.
Saturday, August 3
4th Annual Lemonade Stand Event
On Saturday, August 3, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Ballston Spa Sunshine Kid’s Lemonade Stand returns at Ribbon Café, located at 11 Prospect St., Ballston Spa, rallying support for 9-year-old Charles Barton, who is courageously battling leukemia. The event promises a day filled with activities for all ages, including children’s activities organized by local organizations such as Ballston Area Community Center, Saratoga Children’s Museum, and Ballston Area Recreation Center. Visitors can enjoy music, vendor booths, and special appearances including visits from Ballston Spa’s EMS, miniature donkeys from Maple Leaf Farm, dancers from Carol Lawrence Dance Center, a DJ, stock cars, and a firetruck from Ballston Spa Fire station.
Ladies Lesson, Lunch & Golf Tee Party
Brookhaven Golf course, 333 Alpine Meadows Rd., Greenfield | Noon – 3 p.m. The event is for golfers of all skill levels but requires no experience. Ladies are invited to join for one-hour group lesson at the driving range, where participants will be grouped by skill level and work with a golf professional. After the lesson, the ladies gather for lunch at The View Restaurant. One beverage of choice and lunch are included with registration, which costs $60 for residents and $70 for nonresidents. Women are invited to dress in their “florals, frills and fascinators” for the event. After lunch, participants have the option of playing up to 18 holes if they so desire. Register at www.greenfieldny.org.
Saratoga Arts Fundraising Gala
Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m. This year’s event will focus on a curated silent auction of prolific artists from all over the Capital Region and beyond. In addition to fine food and drink, there will be special engagements by both iTheatre and Mostly Modern Projects, resulting in a completely singular experience. We sincerely hope that you’ll join Saratoga Arts in celebrating our history, and help us to realize our future. Follow us for updates as our exciting list of participating artists grows. As always, Foundation guests should expect the unexpected. For tickets, https://www.saratoga-arts.org/event-5733363.
Sunday, August 4
Summer Sunday Stroll: Historic Congress Park
Meet: In front of the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. Charlie Kuenzel will lead the Summer Sunday Stroll “Historic Congress Park.” Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and explore the historic landscape architecture of Congress Park, the early springs, and other facets of Saratoga’s history. Tours are limited to 30 participants. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Foundation members with stroll passes need to contact the Foundation’s office to book their Summer Sunday Stroll before their chosen date.
Monday, August 5
Vacation Bible School
The Barkersville Christian Church, 7200 Barkersville Road, Middle Grove | 5:30 – 8 p.m. August 5 – 9 for children ages 4 to 12. This year’s theme is Breaker Rock Beach learning God’s solid rock truth in a world of shifting sands. There will be crafts, music, snacks, Bible stories, games, prizes and lots of candy. A family picnic is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Register online at www.barkersvillecc.com or find them on Facebook at Barkersville Christian Church. All are welcome.
5K Trail Series
Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, Parking Lot #1 and #2, 80 Scout Rd., Wilton | 6:15 p.m. The Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Series will continue August 12, 19. and 26. Registration is $10 day-of or $40 by July 29 for all five races. Children ages 0-12 are free; 13-18 are half-price. This is a low-key, all-outdoors event topped off by light refreshments and unusual raffle prizes. Please bring your own water. Proceeds benefit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. For more information, call Laura Clark at 518-581-1278 or email laura@saratogastryders.org or visit www.saraogastryders.org for more information and to sign up online.
Tuesday, August 6
Guided Nature Walk: Crescent Park Trail
Crescent Park Trail, Halfmoon | 9 a.m. Join us for a guided nature walk as Linda Bryan of the Town of Halfmoon shares her knowledge about this beautiful trail. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Guided Trolley Tours
Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. This informative and entertaining 90-minute guided tour includes historic sights and points of interest along Broadway, North Broadway, Skidmore, the High Rock area, Saratoga Race Course, Union Avenue, and more! Upstate Transit has captured the charm of yesteryear and the comfort of today by designing trolleys with an authentic wooden interior, decorative etched glass windows, and air-conditioning. Trolleys also feature a wheelchair lift. Tours take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. through August 31. Tickets are $25 per person. Recommended for children 12 and over. Day-of tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center.
Wednesday, August 7
Roast Beef Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. For curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order, 518-584-2585. Menu: roast beef, roasted redskin potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll, gravy. Dinner $15 each (cash only).
History of Beekeeping in the USA
Wilton Heritage Society, 5 Parkhurst Rd., Wilton | 6 p.m. Gregory Stoddard will present a program highlighting the contribution of women in establishing beekeeping in the colonies. Prior to his timely presentation, sample his Honey Surprise as an hors d’oeuvre for the hot dog and sides potluck supper. Please join us to learn more about our pollinators who are so important to our food supply.
Pickin’s Session
310 Northline Rd. Ballston Spa | 6:30 – 9 p.m. Open to the Public, Free Admission & ample free parking.
Doors open 6 p.m. All acoustic musicians who enjoy playing country/western, folk, gospel & bluegrass are welcome to participate. If you don’t play, become part of the audience and enjoy the music. Bring a snack to share. Beverages provided. Call 518-885-4229 with questions.
Poetry Reading
Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m. Caffè Lena will present a poetry reading by Natalli Amato. An open mic poetry reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students. The featured reading will also be livestreamed. You can find a link for the livestream at caffelena.org., 518-583-0022.
Thursday, August 8
Grant’s Funeral-History of Burke’s Funeral Home
Grant Cottage, 1000 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton | 2 – 3 p.m. Carol Godette will discuss Victorian-era mourning and funeral customs; how William Burke’s involvement in the embalming of President Ulysses S Grant led him to open his own funeral home; and the rich history of Burke’s role as one of four operating funeral homes in Saratoga Springs. https://www.grantcottage.org/events