SARATOGA SPRINGS — Following on the heels of a triumphant 2024 tour, Vampire Weekend have announced a return to global stages this summer with a tour that kicks off May 10 in California and stages a show at Saratoga performing Arts Center on June 4, before continuing on a southern swing.
The release of their fifth studio album, “Only God Was Above Us,” previously launched a live run that included appearances at Coachella, the Hollywood Bowl and two sold out shows at Madison Square Garden, among others.
Support on 2025 dates will come from Geese. For more information, go to: vampireweekend.com.
GLENS FALLS — Drag Queen Story Hour: The Musical turns controversy into comedy with a satirical production that takes aim at book bans, pride flag crackdowns, and the LGBTQ+ protests that have divided small towns across America.
Inspired by real events, the show is a response to the six-month closure of a local public library in 2023 following protests against a scheduled drag story hour.
The show will stage June 6 to 8 at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Downtown Glens Falls.
“Librarians report over 1,000 instances of LGBTQ+ book bans every year, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has tracked more than 140 drag story hour protests annually,” musical creator Neal Herr said in a statement. “Our show uses humor to spotlight how these battles are playing out in small towns across the country.”
For tickets, more information go to: DragQueenStoryHourTheMusical.org.
Saratoga Central Catholic defeated Lake George 85 to 28 in the Section 2 Class C boys basketball playoffs. Image via the Saratoga Central Catholic Saints.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Section 2 boys basketball postseason got underway last week with Ballston Spa, Saratoga Central Catholic, and Schuylerville all taking the court.
In Class C boys action, the No. 3 seed Spa Catholic Saints walloped No. 14 Lake George, 85 to 28. In that game, Bryce Peterson led all Saints scorers with 16 points, while David Redgrave chipped in 11 and Jasyn Thompson added 10. With the victory, Spa Catholic advanced to the quarterfinal round to face No. 6 Hoosic Valley. In that matchup, they again won easily, 53 to 24, and advanced once again to the semifinals/final four. Against Hoosic, Tyler Hicks led all scorers with 15 points, while Thompson and Ronan Rowe added 11 and 9 points, respectively. The Saints knocked down 11 three-pointers in the contest.
In the Class B first round, No. 15 Schuylerville defeated No. 18 Bishop Gibbons, 65 to 40, advancing to the second round to play a tough game against the No. 2 seed Mechanicville. The Black Horses put up a valiant effort (leading by 8 points at halftime) but were ultimately unsuccessful, falling to Mechanicville 70 to 59. Ollie Bolduc led Schuylerville with 25 points and Adam DeGregory added 12 in the loss.
In Class AA, the No. 9 seed Ballston Spa Scotties fell to No. 8 Queensbury, 66 to 45. Queensbury controlled the early part of the contest, but B-Spa battled back in the closing minutes of the first half and into the third quarter. Ultimately, however, Queensbury’s lead proved insurmountable.
“This year’s team was a fun group to watch and always played hard from tipoff to final buzzer,” said Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi after the loss. “Thank you to the seniors for their contributions to the basketball program, and I hope the underclassmen will follow in the leadership shoes of the seniors by practicing hard in the offseason.”
NYRA is offering a 5-day (June 4-8) Belmont Stakes Racing Festival general admission pass for $120. That breaks down to $24 per day, including Belmont Stakes Day on Saturday, June 7.
The general admission offers fans access to the backyard and the ability to walk throughout the venue.
The general admission pass also includes access to hundreds of FREE picnic tables in the backyard.
In addition, fans can bring in their own food and non-alcoholic beverages in small coolers throughout the five day festival AND, new for this year, can bring in alcoholic beverages in small coolers on Wednesday and Sunday of the Belmont Stakes Festival.
The Skidmore College riding team poses with their ribbons after winning a season-opener Stable Game competition last month at the Van Lennep Riding Center in Saratoga Springs. Photo by Super Source Media.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College’s highly decorated riding team will officially transition to a coed program beginning this fall.
The change aligns Skidmore’s program with the broader equestrian community, where men and women compete together in most formats, including the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and the Olympics.
“The equestrian sport community at large operates as a coed discipline, with men and women competing equally at the highest levels,” said Skidmore College Athletic Director Gail Cummings-Danson in a statement. “Aligning Skidmore’s program with this standard enhances its reputation and prepares students for broader competition while also creating an athletic environment that values talent, dedication, teamwork, and belonging.”
“We are very excited to welcome men to the Skidmore riding team as we transition to coed,” said head coach Belinda Colgan. “Allowing the opportunity for both men and women to compete together equally is unique in collegiate sports, and we are excited for this next chapter of Skidmore Riding.”
The College said that the move to coed will contribute to an even stronger and more dynamic team.
Skidmore’s riding program has earned nine IHSA national team titles since 1990, most recently in 2023. No other team has won more national championships.
Members of the men’s and women’s Skidmore College swimming and diving teams celebrate at the four-day 2025 Liberty League Championship meet in Ithaca, New York. Photo via Skidmore Athletics.
ITHACA — The four-day 2025 Liberty League Swimming and Diving Championship was a successful event for Skidmore College, which earned a total of 30 podium finishes, broke 19 school records, and captured an individual conference championship.
On day one (Feb. 19), Skidmore kicked off the meet with senior Nicolas Sodi earning a runner-up finish to highlight five individual and two relay podium finishes, in addition to four new program records being set. With Sodi securing a silver finish in the 500 free on the men’s side, the women saw four records fall in the 500 free, 200 IM, 100 back, and the 400 medley relay.
On day two, Ryan Delfico defended his title in the 400 IM A-Final, cruising through the first two strokes to stay in contention, before making his move in the breaststroke portion of the race to take the lead and hold on for a back-to-back conference championship victory with the fastest time of 4:03.19. The senior’s victory highlighted another eventful finals session from the Thoroughbreds, who placed five individual podium finishes alongside two relay podium finishes, while also breaking program records in the men’s 200 free, women’s 400 IM, women’s 100 fly, and women’s 200 free relay.
The Thoroughbreds wrapped up day three of the meet with four individual and four relay podium finishes, in addition to four new program records being set: the men’s 200 fly and 800 free, and the women’s 200-medley relay and 100 breast.
On the final day of the meet, Skidmore earned a silver finish in the men’s 200 back, as well as a runner-up placement in the women’s 1650 free. The men also reset the record books in the 200 back, 200 breast, and 400 free relay. The women broke school records in the 1000 free, 1650 free, 100 free, and 400 free relay.
Overall, the men’s team finished the meet in fifth place after scoring 850 points, while the women finished fourth with 857 points.
The Saratoga Men’s Baseball League is looking for players ages 28 and over for the upcoming season, which runs from May through August. For more information, call or text 518-470-7894 by March 21.
For more information on the league, visit www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp.
SCHUYLERVILLE — If you’re a Schuylerville student looking to sign up for varsity, junior varsity, or modified spring sports, now is the time.
Registration for varsity and junior varsity sports opened on Feb. 17 and closes after March 10. For spring 2025, Schuylerville will be offering the following sports: baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, tennis, and outdoor track and field for both boys and girls.
Registration for modified sports opened on March 2 and will close after March 24. Spring 2025 modified sports include baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, and outdoor track for boys and girls.
The spring sports season begins on March 17 for varsity and junior varsity; and it begins on March 31 for modified teams.
For online registration, visit www.schuylervilleschools.org/2024-spring-sports-registration/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — 5th graders at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs toured the Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill in Greenwich last week, observing the inner workings of the mill and learning how wool from local sheep is processed into yarns through the mill’s custom carding and spinning services.
The field trip is part of the handwork and fiber program at Waldorf. Starting in 1st grade, students learn to knit, crochet, and sew. By 8th grade, they are adept at using sewing machines to make custom clothing. The field trip to Battenkill Fibers is an annual 5th grade event that helps the children understand the connection between fiber animals, farms, and the broader community.
Battenkill Fibers produces 100-150 pounds of natural-colored and dyed semi-worsted yarn daily using refurbished traditional milling machinery.
Map of the County of Saratoga by David H. Burr 1840. Published by the Surveyor General pursuant to an act of the legislature. Stone & Clark, Ithaca NY 1840. From the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office
The Birth of Saratoga County: February 7, 1791 On a cold February day in 1791, Saratoga County officially separated from Albany County, marking its beginning as an independent community. Known as “Saratoga” by Indigenous peoples and later formalized by colonial settlers, the county has long been defined by its strategic location, historical significance, and hardworking residents.
For over 230 years, Saratoga’s foundation has been shaped by values of resilience, civic engagement, and industriousness, creating a vibrant community that honors its past while embracing progress.
Before 1791: Evolving Boundaries and Communities. Before becoming a county, Saratoga’s boundaries were part of Albany County, with its governance structure evolving over time. A major milestone came in 1684 with the Saratoga Patent, which granted settlers six miles of land along both sides of the Hudson River from Mechanicville to the mouth of the Battenkill.
By 1772, the area was divided into two districts, Half Moon and Saraghtoga, marking the start of local governance. In 1788, New York State formally established towns within Saratoga, including Halfmoon, Saratoga, Ballston, and Stillwater. Three years later, these towns separated from Albany County to form Saratoga County, ushering in a new era of self-governance.
Saratoga: The “Mother of Towns.” As communities expanded, Saratoga became known as the “mother of towns.” In 1775, Ballstown branched off as a new district, and in 1789, East Town (now part of Washington County) separated. These changes reflected Saratoga’s growing role in shaping local governance. The county’s contributions to the nations founding solidified its historical importance. The Battles of Saratoga, the turning point of the Revolutionary War, demonstrated the region’s resilience and strategic importance.
Geography: A Key to Saratoga’s Growth. Saratoga’s geography has always been central to its development. Nestled between the Hudson and Mohawk rivers and crossed by waterways like the Kayaderosseras Creek and Sacandaga River, the county’s location served as a crossroads of early trade and travel. Fertile farmland and abundant natural resources attracted settlers who built the agricultural and economic foundations for Saratoga’s prosperity.
Civic Engagement: A Lasting Tradition. From its earliest days, Saratoga County residents valued self-governance and community involvement. County, City and Town government leaders partner with private businesses and non-profit societies to create a culture of collective responsibility. Today, this spirit continues. Residents engage in preserving historical sites, supporting sustainable development, and promoting civic pride—ensuring these values remain central to the county’s identity.
Resilience and Modern Growth Saratoga County’s history is filled with stories of perseverance. From the Revolutionary War to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, the community has adapted to challenges while building a thriving economy.
Modern Saratoga County is home to a diverse range of economic activities, including tourism, healthcare, technology, farming and manufacturing. Landmarks such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Skidmore College, and the Saratoga Racetrack enrich the county’s intellectual and cultural life. Visitors are drawn by its historical sites, scenic landscapes, and recreational opportunities, further boosting the local economy.
A Legacy of Independence and Progress Since 1791, Saratoga County has grown from four towns to include nineteen towns, several villages and two cities. The values of resilience, self-reliance, and industriousness that defined its early settlers remain at the heart of its modern identity. From town meetings to thriving businesses, residents continue to honor its history while looking ahead to new opportunities for growth. Saratoga County’s journey—rooted in its rich history, strategic geography, and enduring values—is a story of progress that connects the achievements of the past to the promise of tomorrow.
