Author: Saratoga TODAY
Saratoga Stories Take the Spotlight in New Revolutionary Road Trip Book and Special 250th Community Event
As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Saratoga’s people, places and stories are reaching new audiences through a new book and a special public event on June 30th celebrating the region’s enduring role in American history.
TV travel host, producer and author Darley Newman will return to Saratoga Springs this summer to celebrate the launch of her new book, Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories from America’s Founding Journey, which features a dedicated chapter exploring Saratoga’s unique Revolutionary War history, cultural attractions and community stories.
The nationally released book builds on Newman’s Travels with Darley: Revolutionary Road Trip television series, including a nationally broadcast PBS episode filmed throughout Saratoga County. Together, the book and television program showcase the destinations, historic sites, local businesses, artists and community leaders helping preserve and share Saratoga’s story ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
“In Saratoga, history is truly everywhere and the stories are incredible,” said Newman. “Whether you’re exploring Saratoga National Historical Park, dropping by the bank, going for ice cream, meeting local artists and business owners, or experiencing the community’s vibrant culture, you quickly understand why Saratoga remains such an important part of America’s story. I am excited to return and celebrate the people and places that make this destination so special.”
The event will bring together residents, visitors, historians, artists and community leaders for an evening focused on Saratoga’s contributions to the nation’s founding and its growing role in America 250 commemorations.
Featured highlights include:
• A special “Director’s Cut” screening featuring never-before-seen footage and outtakes from the Saratoga-focused Travels with Darley: Revolutionary Road Trip PBS episode
• A discussion with Darley Newman and County Historian and Saratoga 250 Chair Lauren Roberts exploring the region’s pivotal role in the American Revolution and preparations for America 250
• A book launch celebration and signing for Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories from America’s Founding Journey
• A special performance by Saratoga-based singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski, who was featured in the television episode and will perform original music to further inspire audiences
As interest in heritage travel continues to grow ahead of America’s Semiquincentennial, Saratoga is increasingly recognized as one of the nation’s most significant Revolutionary-era destinations. Through storytelling, public television, live events and travel experiences, Newman encourages visitors to discover the people, places and local connections that bring history to life.
Revolutionary Road Trip Book Launch & Director’s Cut Screening
Universal Preservation Hall
June 30th
5:15pm: Light Reception
6pm Show
Saratoga Shredders Devo Team Wins Back-to-Back NICA State Championship
Saratoga Springs – On Sunday, June 14, the Saratoga Shredders Devo mountain bike team captured their second consecutive National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) New York State Championship.
The Saratoga Shredders Devo team includes student-athletes in grades five through twelve from across Saratoga County and beyond. NICA New York brings together 17 teams statewide to compete across a series of races each spring, culminating in the championship event held this year at Bunker Hill Trails in Salem, NY.
The Shredders capped off a dominant season, winning the overall team title at all four spring races. The girls’ team led the charge, consistently sweeping podium positions, including an unprecedented first through fifth finishes at the Oneonta race. The boys’ team contributed strong performances across middle and high school levels, with both returning and new riders securing valuable points toward the overall championship.
Individually, four riders earned State Championship titles: Nora Hammaker (6th grade girls), Jonah Di Bari (8th grade boys), Sam Stadelmeyer (Middle School Advanced boys), and Anna Yarsevich (Varsity girls). In addition, Nora Hammaker and Sam Stadelmeyer each secured Overall Series Championships, alongside Rhiannon Curtis in the varsity girls’ category.
The team also celebrated its first graduating seniors – Daniel Hancock, Olivia Brackett, and Aurora Stingel – who have progressed through the Shredders program during their high school careers. They will continue their journeys at Purdue University, SUNY New Paltz, and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, respectively.
Coaches highlighted not only the team’s performance but also its character, work ethic, and commitment to community. Athletes consistently support one another, contribute to race setup and breakdown, and embody a positive, team-first culture. The program’s success is made possible through a strong network of volunteer coaches and support from sponsors including Verant Wealth, POC, and Scratch Labs.
Saratoga Shredders look forward to a summer filled with riding and development as they prepare to defend their title next season.
To learn more about Shredders MTB programs, visit www.shreddersmtb.org. Registration for summer camp is still open, and registration for fall programming opens July 15. For more information about local mountain biking opportunities, contact programs@shreddersmtb.org.
Katie Benoit Named Director of Athletics at Skidmore College
Katie Benoit, an accomplished collegiate athletics administrator with more than 15 years of experience in athletic leadership, student-athlete development, fundraising, and strategic planning, has been named director of athletics at Skidmore College.
Benoit currently serves as deputy athletic director and senior woman administrator (SWA) at American University (AU).
“Katie’s broad experience, collaborative leadership style, and clear vision for the future make her the ideal person to lead our athletics program and build on the strong foundation established by our coaches, staff, and student-athletes,” said vice president for student affairs, Adrian Bautista.
At AU, Benoit has served in multiple senior leadership roles since 2022 when she began her second stint at American as the associate athletics director for student-athlete well-being. Promoted to SWA in 2023 and deputy athletics director in 2024, she serves on the Patriot League Leadership Council and chairs the league’s sport management and senior woman administrator committees.
“I am honored and excited to join the Skidmore community,” Benoit said. “Throughout the search process, I was inspired by the College’s commitment to academic excellence, student development, and creating a meaningful educational experience through athletics. Skidmore’s values align closely with my own, and I look forward to working alongside our coaches, staff, student-athletes, alumni, and campus partners to build upon the department’s tradition of success while fostering an environment where every student-athlete can thrive.”
Benoit succeeds Gail Cummings-Danson, who is retiring after over two decades of leadership and service to the Skidmore community. Benoit will assume her duties at Skidmore on August 4.
FIFA World Cup Viewing Parties at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs— Michelob Ultra and Saratoga Eagle Sales & Services announced they will host a series of FIFA World Cup viewing parties at Saratoga Race Course beginning with opening weekend of the summer meet.
The World Cup viewing parties will take place in the Backyard Festival Tent during all operating days of the Saratoga summer meet that coincide with scheduled matches of the World Cup.
Fans on-track will enjoy the matches on multiple big-screen televisions and will have the opportunity to take home official giveaways from Michelob Ultra and other World Cup partners, while supplies last.
Fans will also enjoy beverage specials, along with soccer-themed décor, and an inflatable soccer shootout game featuring prizes and other entertainment.
Saratoga Race Course will celebrate its opening weekend of the summer meet beginning Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5.
For more information about FIFA World Cup viewing parties visit, NYRA.com/soccer.
Saratoga Race Course Season Tickets Available at Stewarts Shops
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that Saratoga season admission passes for the 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course are now available for purchase at more than 175 Stewart’s Shops throughout the greater Capital Region.
Saratoga season passes provide fans with general admission access to all 46 days of thoroughbred racing this summer, including the Opening Weekend July 4th Racing Festival, Whitney Day, and Travers Day.
Season passes are available in hard copy or digitally for $94 at Stewart’s Shops, the equivalent of slightly more than two dollars per day.
Following the three-day Opening Weekend, Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday before the resumption of the five-day racing week beginning Wednesday, July 29. The 2026 summer meet will conclude with a six-day closing week from Wednesday, September 2, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
For more information, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.
Summer Ghost Tours at the Canfield Casino
The Saratoga Springs History Museum is inviting visitors to step out of the summer sun and into the shadows with the return of its Summer Ghost Tours of the Canfield Casino, running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from July 1 through August 31.
Presented inside the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, the 90-minute guided tours explore the eerie legends, mysterious encounters, and haunted history connected to one of Saratoga Springs’ most iconic landmarks. Tours will start at 11:00 a.m.
Once the glittering heart of Saratoga’s Gilded Age social scene, the Canfield Casino welcomed gamblers, socialites, politicians, performers, and visitors from around the world. Today, the building is known not only for its rich history and stunning architecture, but also for the ghostly stories and unexplained happenings that have become part of its legacy.
“This tour is a fun and memorable way for visitors to experience the Canfield Casino from a completely different perspective,” said a representative of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. “It combines real Saratoga history with the ghostly legends and mysterious stories that continue to capture people’s imaginations.”
Led by museum storytellers, the Summer Ghost Tours offer a blend of history, local lore, and spooky storytelling designed for history lovers, ghost story fans, curious visitors, families, and brave summer adventurers. Guests will explore the historic rooms and halls of the Canfield Casino while hearing tales of its glamorous past, mysterious reputation, and stories that refuse to rest.
Tickets for this event can be purchased online at https://www.saratogahistory.org/events/summer-ghost-tours-of-the-canfield-casino.
Summer Sunday Strolls: “Post Time!” and “Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut”
Saratoga Springs— Led by Georgia Horner, “Post Time!” explores the area surrounding the Saratoga Race Course. On Sunday, June 28 at 10:30AM, uncover the stories of the exclusive Reading Rooms, the personalities who shaped racing culture, and the spaces where the sport’s history continues to unfold. From the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame to the Oklahoma Track and the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion, this tour reveals the traditions, rivalries, and rituals that define Saratoga’s racing scene. This walking tour will give you a fresh perspective on Saratoga’s world of racing—beyond the grandstands and finish lines.
This tour does not enter the Saratoga Race Course, including the Oklahoma Track, or the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. This tour, which meets at the southeast corner of Nelson and Union Avenues, is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
On Sunday, July 5 at 10:30AM, Alexandra Morgan leads “Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut.” This walking tour explores the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” which was home to many working-class and Jewish families who made important contributions to the community. Wander the same streets where grocers sold kosher meats beside oyster houses, where bathhouses promised cures for everything from insomnia to indigestion, and where summer boarders came seeking both mineral waters and a welcoming community. Thia tour is also sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The Foundation is grateful for the generous support of the 2026 Summer Series Sponsor, Druthers Brewing Company. All Sunday morning tours begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes, and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to thirty participants, and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members.
For additional information on Sunday Strolls or to purchase tickets, call (518) 587-5030, email Dianne Winter, Development Director, at dwinter@saratogapreservation.org, or visit our website, saratogapreservation.org.
NYC Ballet Musicians & Friends Concert at Saratoga Arts
NYC Ballet Musicians & Friends (Luellen Abdoo)
The New York City Ballet Musicians & Friends will be back at the newly renovated Saratoga Arts on July 9th in the Dee Sarno Theater located at 320 Broadway.
In its 26th year, the main feature will be the Shostakovich Piano Quintet with other selections to be announced soon. The performers will be NYC Ballet Concert Master Kurt Nikkanen, joined by Eugene Moye Jr (cello), Luellen Abdoo (violin), Michael Davis, (viola) and pianist Christopher Oldfather. NYC Ballet pianist Elaine Chelton will perform on another composition with Kurt Nikkanen.
Tickets are 10 dollars at the door. Additional donations are always appreciated.
Setting the Stage: Pre-Performance Talks with the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC
Saratoga Springs— Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced the return of its popular pre-performance talk series with the launch of Setting the Stage, a series of engaging conversations presented in advance of select New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra performances.
Returning for the first time since 2019, the series has been reimagined for SPAC’s 60th anniversary season and will now take place outdoors on the Charles R. Wood Stage, creating a more open and accessible experience for audiences. Free to ticket holders, the 30-minute conversations begin approximately one hour prior to performances and feature artists, conductors, choreographers, scholars, and cultural voices offering insight into the works and performances audiences will experience later that evening or afternoon.
“We are thrilled to bring back pre-performance talks after a six-year hiatus,” said Christopher Shiley, President of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Setting the Stage will reimagine these talks in a way that makes them more accessible to audiences. By moving these conversations outdoors and offering them free to ticket holders, we are creating even greater opportunities for the community to connect directly with the artists and deepen their experience of the performances they are about to see.”
The full schedule is as follows:
• July 8 @ 6:30 p.m., Jonathan Stafford (artistic director of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet) moderated by Jay Rogoff.
• July 9 @ 6:30 p.m., Taylor Stanley and Daniel Ulbricht (NYCB principal dancers) moderated by Jay Rogoff.
• July 10 @ 12:45 p.m., Tiler Peck (NYCB principal dancer and choreographer) moderated by Jay Rogoff.
• July 11 @ 6:30 p.m., Wendy Whelan (associate artistic director of NYCB) moderated by Jay Rogoff.
• August 6 @ 6:30 p.m., Morten Solvik (music scholar with Mahler Foundation) lecture style.
• August 7 @ 6:15 p.m., Marin Alsop (principal guest conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra) moderated by songwriter, author, and activist Janis Ian.
Co-presented with Caffè Lena
• August 12 @ 6:15 p.m., Daniele Rustioni (principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera House) moderated by WMHT host Rob Brown.
• August 13 @ 6:30 p.m., Naomi Woo (Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Conductor) moderated by WMHT host Rob Brown.
• August 20 @ 6:30 p.m., Joseph Conyers (Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Bass) moderated by SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol.