SARATOGA SPRINGS — Live harness racing returned to the Saratoga Casino Hotel on Feb. 1, marking the sport’s 85th season in the Spa City. The 2026 schedule at the Spa Oval will consist of 150 racing programs running through mid-December.
Horsemen will compete for over $17 million in purses during the season. The track will also host eight New York Sire Stakes programs featuring New York-bred horses for an additional $1.5 million in purses.
“I expect a very strong season of racing,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino. “The horse population has been abundant the last few years and this gives us the ability to offer a high-quality product for our fans.”
Saratoga Casino’s premier event, the Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Invitational Pacing Series, will kick off on Saturday, July 11 with a new format. This year, competitors will vie for points in the $20,000 invitational over seven consecutive Saturdays, with the top point earners advancing to the $100,000 final on Saturday, Aug. 29. Total purses for the Gerrity Invitational series are $240,000.
Defending their 2025 titles this season are leading trainer Melissa Beckwith and top driver Jim Devaux. Beckwith trained 174 winners in 2025, while Devaux crossed the finish line first 288 times last year.
Saratoga Casino will partner with the Saratoga Harness Horsepersons Association to offer several promotions in the month of February. Highlights include a long-sleeve shirt giveaway to the first 400 customers on Saturday, Feb. 14, as well as a wheel spin drawing on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 15, where all customers in attendance can enter for a chance to spin the prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet.
This season will also feature an expanded wagering menu that includes two pick 5’s with carryovers, two Pick 4’s with carryovers, $1 minimum wagers, 20-cent superfectas, and $1 triples in every race, plus a $3 minimum late daily double.
The winter, spring, and fall schedule will include matinee racing on Saturday, Sundays, Mondays, and select Tuesdays, with a 12 p.m. post time. The summer live racing schedule will be Mondays and Tuesdays at 12 p.m., along with Saturday evening programs beginning at 6:45 p.m.
For Track Announcer Mike Sardella’s race picks, racing recaps, and the full live race schedule, visit www.saratogacasino.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ensemble Connect—a group of young professional classical musicians from Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute— will return to Skidmore College for a February residency.
The public is invited to attend a culminating concert on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arthur Zankel Music Center that highlights notable American composers and includes the world premiere of “Broke” by George Lewis, composer-in-residence with Ensemble Connect.
The program also features Valerie Coleman’s “Portraits of Langston”; Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” performed with Skidmore student musicians; two works by Joplin, including “The Entertainer,” arranged by Franz Beyer, and “Paragon Rag,” arranged by William Zinn; and Ives’ “String Quartet No. 1, From the Salvation Army.”
The performance on Feb. 13 is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For more information, visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 38th annual Flurry Festival returns to downtown Saratoga Springs on Feb. 13–15, filling the Saratoga Springs City Center and surrounding venues with traditional music and dance. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which features 222 sessions.
The Flurry is distinctive for the range of genres it brings together in one place. Programming includes styles such as contra, swing, Cajun and Zydeco, Balkan and Scandinavian dance, Irish, tap, Latin, English country dance, and many more. Saturday evening will include a Mardi Gras–themed track, while late-night offerings feature technocontra, squares, blues and balfolk parties, and DJ-driven fusion dancing.
“For one winter weekend, downtown Saratoga Springs fills with music from all over the world,” said Jonathan Greene, program curator of the Flurry Festival. “The Flurry brings energy into the city at a quiet time of year and invites the whole community to be part of it.”
In addition to dancing, participants can attend concerts and showcases, instrument workshops, singing sessions, presentations and discussions, jams, storytelling, and family programming, and visit food and craft vendors.
The Flurry welcomes beginners and people of all ages and abilities, with no partner required and instruction offered at multiple levels. “This is a festival where participation really matters,” said Greene. “You don’t need a partner, special equipment, or years of experience. Really just a willingness to try something new.”
A newcomer orientation at 5 p.m. Friday will offer tips and guidance, followed by a 6 p.m. “Discovery Hour” of introductory sessions designed to help participants sample new styles. For those seeking a deeper dive, four Friday afternoon pre-festival Intensive workshops provide focused instruction in Swing Dance, Latin Dance, Waltz Dancing, or Vocal Harmony.
Saturday family programming will be free and open to the public at the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and will include songs, stories, crafts, movement games, and a family dance. Children’s, family, and teen programming continues throughout the weekend, with intergenerational participation being a hallmark of the Flurry experience.
Full or partial weekend tickets are available at a discount online through Feb. 6, with tickets for all days also available at the door. Special rates are offered for seniors and attendees under 26, scholarship tickets are available, and children 12 and under attend free. Full schedule details, ticketing information, and updates are available at www.flurryfestival.org.
Friday, February 13, 7:30 p.m. at Skidmore College, Arthur Zankel Music Center, located at 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Ensemble Connect, a group of the finest young professional classical musicians based out of Carnegie Hall, celebrates its 19th year at Skidmore!
GEORGE LEWIS | Broke (World Premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
VALERIE COLEMAN | Portraits of Langston
BARBER | Adagio for Strings
IVES | String Quartet No. 1, “From the Salvation Army” Suite
JOPLIN | The Entertainer, arr. Franz Beyer
JOPLIN | Paragon Rag, arr. William Zinn
This event is free and open to the public; tickets are required. https://www.purplepass.com/events/341637-ensemble-connect-feb-13th-2026. Call 518-580-5321 or email: zankel@skidmore.edu.
Valentine’s Day on the Rails
Enjoy a romantic, southern Adirondacks 1.5-hour train ride with Fossil Stone Vineyards wine (cash bar) & free Saratoga Candy Co. chocolate on February 14 at 3 p.m. Cozy up in our heated cars or hit the open-air car and enjoy the crisp winter breeze. Perfect for couples or friends! Train departs from Corinth Station, 9 Railroad Place, Corinth. Visit Corinthtrain.com to learn more and purchase tickets.
Annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance
Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge #161 is holding the dance on Saturday, February 14 at the lodge at 1 Elks Lane in Saratoga Springs. The popular band Skippy and the Pistons will be our entertainment for the night. Cocktails from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment from 8 – 11 p.m. There will be raffle baskets. Entrée choices are prime rib, baked salmon, or eggplant parmesan, served with herb roasted potatoes, tossed salad, roll, and veggies. A cupcake tower with a variety of flavors will be offered for dessert. Cost is $60 per person. Reservations first come first serve. RSVP to Barb Ash at 518-955-4588 with entrée choice, number of guests and payment. Reservations are due February 6.
February Break Drama Camp with Elyse Young
Town of Malta Parks and Recreation will hold a Drama Camp Tuesday through Friday of the February school break for ages 8-14. The camp will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. Activities will include acting exercises, theater games, improvisation, vocal techniques, creative movement and dance, character analysis, arts projects and more! Each camper will also rehearse and present a short performance at the end of the last day of camp, Friday, February 20. Our show will have costumes, set pieces, props, lights, sound and will be performed on the Malta Community Center Stage for invited guests! For additional information please call 899-4411 or visit maltaparksrec.com.
Lung Cancer Benefit for Kurt Haas Sr.
Hosted by Gansevoort Volunteer Fire Department, located at 1870 Rte. 32 N. Gansevoort, on Saturday February 21, 2026, from 4 – 7 p.m. All you can eat Spaghetti Dinner, $10 Adults, $5 Kids (4-12), Free for children 3 and under. Raffle baskets and 50/50 Raffle. Kurt has been serving the community for 51 years as a Fire Department Member. Help us as a community give back to Kurt. Every Dollar raised will help Kurt and his family with medical bills and expenses. For questions or pickup arrangements, please text/call Jonna Freeman 518-598-2804 or Stephanie Rosa 518-502-4325.
The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 5 – 9 p.m. Some Friday “Pub Nights” will be expanding the 5 – 7 p.m. hours to include entertainment from 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s including Rock, Country, Swing, Pop and Motown. Presenting “The Classics” with the popular Wayne & Joey performing for your listening pleasure on Friday, February 6 and 20, Friday, March 6 and 20. Beat the winter blues by coming out to enjoy great food, fun and first-rate entertainment. Food available for purchase until 7 p.m. or until gone, cash bar available all evening. For information call Tom at 518-312-9859. Public Welcome.
11th Annual Chocolate Festival
Various locations throughout the Village of Ballston Spa | 5 – 9 p.m. The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) invites the community to indulge at the 11th Annual Chocolate Fest This beloved pre-Valentine’s Day tradition transforms the village into a chocolate lover’s paradise, with local businesses and culinary talents serving up mouthwatering chocolate creations while shoppers stroll, taste, and vote for their favorites.
Saturday, February 7
6 Hour Defensive Driving Course
Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost is $40 prepaid, $45 at door (a donation is given to the church). Call: 518-784-5009.
27th Annual Chowderfest
Various locations throughout Saratoga County | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Discover Saratoga is proud to announce the return of its signature winter event. Presented by DeCrescente Distributing Company, Coors Banquet, Saranac, and Surfside, this beloved community event invites locals and visitors alike to sample 4 oz. servings of chowder for $2 each from roughly 80 Saratoga County restaurants and businesses. For event details, participating vendors, hotel specials, and shuttle information, visit DiscoverSaratoga.org/Chowderfest or call 518-584-1531.
Winter Fun Days Scavenger Hunt & Bonfire
Wilton Wildlife Preserve, 80 Scout Rd., Wilton | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa around the fire! Stop in the Welcome Cabin for a scavenger hunt sheet to complete while on the trails to claim your prize! Registration is required for most of our programs at least one business day in advance. Register on our website or by calling the office at 518-450-0321. Our programs are weather dependent and may be cancelled due to inclement weather or poor trail conditions.
Chowderfest Reuses
Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join the Sustainability Initiative on Phila Street. Sustainable Saratoga will offer clean, free, reusable cups at Bailey’s, Fillies, Hattie’s, and Sushi Thai Garden – bring your own spoon or use one of our bamboo spoons! https://sustainablesaratoga.org/event/chowderfest-reuses/.
Family Saturday
Tang Teaching Museum, Payne Room, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Suitable for children aged 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Countdown to the Triple Crown Fundraiser
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, 191 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 7 p.m. This winter fundraiser will feature more than 100 silent auction items and an online auction of unique items and experience packages to benefit the Museum. Guests can attend the event in person or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event at the Museum will feature beer, wine, light refreshments courtesy of Mazzone Hospitality, and a 50/50 raffle. Cost is $25 for Museum members and $40 for non-members. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. To purchase tickets, visit: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Countdown-to-the-Triple-Crown or call 518-584-0400.
Sunday, February 8
Souper Bowl of Caring Chili Fest
Middle Grove United Methodist Church, 429 Middle Grove Rd. Middle Grove | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. We have a wide variety of homemade Chili for $7 per quart. Proceeds to benefit Blessing Box (24/7 Food Pantry located outside the church).
Chili Cook-Off
VFW Post # 420, 190 Excelsior Ave, Saratoga Springs | 4 p.m. Enter your best Chili and watch the Super Bowl on our new wide screen TVs! Chili is $5 to enter. $2 samples of chili. 50% of proceeds go to the
Post and Auxiliary, 50% to the winner. Bring your friends! We open at 4 p.m. Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a great time at the Post! For more information, call 518-584-9686, leave your name and call back number.
Monday, February 9
The Heritage Garden Club of Saratoga Springs Meeting
Knights of Columbus,50 Pine Street, Saratoga Springs | Noon. The guest speaker for the meeting
will be Dianna Goodwin, from Sustainable Saratoga presenting a program on “Pollinator and native plants for your garden.” Interested in joining a garden club, come join us as new members are always
welcome – you don’t need to have a green thumb to join our club. Follow us on Facebook at Heritage Garden Club of Saratoga Springs or visit, heritagegardenclubss.org.
Saratoga Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting
The Saratoga Senior Center, 290 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs |2:30 p.m. Our speaker is Chrissy Stack who works for MedRhythms. She will be talking about a medical device, MOVIVE, which is indicated to support gait rehabilitation and motor function for those of us living with Parkinson’s disease. All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there. Please contact us with any questions: Leader Gordon Blyth, gordonsblyth@gmail.com 917-887-7980 and Co-Leader Marie Thorne, softballmom300@yahoo.com 518-810-8483.
Improv Spaces Presents: Jaap Blonk & The Schanzer/Speach Duo
Saratoga Arts Theater. 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 7 – 9 p.m. Join us for an evening celebrating experimental sounds, improvisation, and collaborations. The program will feature Dutch self-taught composer, performer, poet and visual artist Jaap Blonk performing his project Dr Voxoid‘s Next Move, ranging from sound poetry, invented languages to other unexpected soundscapes. The Schanzer/Speach Duo is comprised of Upstate New York-based composer/guitarist Jeffrey Schanzer and pianist/composer Bernadette Speach, who have been working together in the experimental music scene with new music, improvisation and performance since the mid-1980s NYC. Tickets $20.
https://www.saratoga-arts.org/event-6533415.
Tuesday, February 10
Ballston Creek Preserve Walks
409 Eastline Rd., Ballston Lake | 10 a.m. Learn about one of Saratoga PLAN’s newest preserves and how old farm fields have grown into a beautiful mixed conifer and hardwood forest, with occasional older growth trees.
MS Support Group
ZOOM Meeting | 5 – 7 p.m. Contact Lou Ann to join. The next meeting will be held Thursday, February 26, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. by Zoom or in person at SAIL, 71 Glenwood Ave., Queensbury. Contact Lou Ann 518-793-9506 for more information.
Whole Grain: Family Letters
Tang Teaching Museum, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 6 p.m. Experiments in Film & Video screening of two short video works by artist Jess T. Dugan: Letter to My Father (US, 2017, video, 14 min., 54 sec.) and Letter to My Daughter (US, 2023, video, 16 min.). This screening is a public program of the exhibition Family Forms, which celebrates multiple modes of living and relationships and challenges visitors to reflect on their own definitions of “family.” Corinne Moss-Racusin, Professor of Psychology at Skidmore and co-curator of the exhibition, will introduce the screening. Free and open to the public. For more information and other events, visit https://tang.skidmore.edu/calendar.
12th Annual Matthew M. Neugroschel Evening of Jewish Storytelling
Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs or Zoom | 7 p.m. Annually, Saratoga Jewish Community Arts brings together a group of talented storytellers who make us smile and touch our hearts. There is a captivating gift for storytelling. It is an enthusiastic interpretation of a tale so that the listeners are transported through time and to places they have never been. The love for storytelling is what storytellers have in common. This year’s storytellers include some long-time favorites, including Sylvia Bloom, Beth Sabo Novik, Sandy Schuman, Rabbi Ilana Symons, and Martina Zobel, as well as some new voices. $10 donation is required at the door or by mail. Preregistration required. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/0OG0VHQ/Storytelling2026.
Wednesday, February 11
All Abilities Art Club
Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park | 11 a.m. Join us for an open studio-style hour of artmaking and community. Adults of all ages and abilities are welcome to come together to create using a new material and theme each month. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org.
Academy for Lifelong Learning Winter Storyteller Series
Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, 100 Saratoga Boulevard, Saratoga Springs | 12 Noon – 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Sponsored by Prestwick Chase. Storyteller Margaret French presents Favorite Stories. This is the last storytelling in the series. If Saratoga Springs city schools are closed due to weather, that presentation will be postponed until February 18. For more information on the Academy for Lifelong Learning, to register for winter courses, or for a complete lineup of storytellers, visit www.allsaratoga.org or contact Academy Executive Director, Jeff Shinaman at jeff@allsaratoga.org or call 518-290-6988.
Historian Tea Talk: Koka Nola, Argentine Seltzer, and Dutch Squats: Letting Bottles Tell Their Stories
Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave. Ballston Spa | 3 p.m. Chris Leonard, Executive Director of the National Bottle Museum and Schenectady City Historian will reminisce on his first year as Executive Director of the nearly 50-year-old National Bottle Museum. His talk will cover stories of some of his favorite bottles from the museum’s collection, including one dating to the early 18th c. These 10-15 bottles will be on site and part of the discussion allowing attendees to get a close-up view of the technologies, embossing, and other details involved in creating these works of art. Register online at https://brooksidemuseum.org/events/.
Baby Back Ribs Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: baby back ribs, baked beans, cold slaw, corn bread. Dinner $15 (cash only).
Green Drinks!
Whitman Brewing Company, 20 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7 p.m. A “green gathering” for those who work, volunteer, or have a passion for promoting the environment, conservation, and sustainability. Food, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Green Drinks – Saratoga Springs is held monthly. https://sustainablesaratoga.org/event/green-drinks-26/
Soroptimist Dinner Meeting
Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 6:30 p.m. Soroptimist means Best for Women. Please join us where members and guests come together to advance our shared mission of empowering women and girls. Enjoy a meal while networking with passionate individuals, participating in meaningful discussions, and learning about upcoming community service projects. Our organization offers a wonderful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference in the lives of others. Please RSVP to connectsisc@gmail.com by February 9, 2026.
Thursday, February 12
Curator’s Tour of All These Growing Things
Tang Teaching Museum Atrium, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | Noon. This tour will be led by Izzy DeSantis, the Kiki Pohlad ’13 Curatorial Assistant. Following the tour, we invite visitors to enjoy the other Tang exhibitions on view. Free and open to the public.
Do the Right Thing
ZOOM, 7 p.m. Saratoga Jewish Community Arts and the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York are pleased to present live, a powerful Jewish story from The Braid, America’s leading salon theater company. To mitzvah or not to mitzvah, that is the question! Funny, heart-warming and unbelievable stories reveal the moments we choose to do right… or maybe not. Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ql5oCMd/BraidFeb12RightThing.
The Waldorf School takes a different approach to learning.
At the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, learning is measured not by the speed at which tasks are finished, but by the depth of understanding that students bring to their work. Midway through the academic year, classrooms become spaces of reflection and exploration, where students revisit lessons, projects, and exercises with care, curiosity, and attention.
Whether engaged in handwork, math, literature, or science, students are encouraged to slow down, observe, and reflect on the ideas and meaning behind each assignment. Lessons are approached with the intention of nurturing both skill and insight, allowing students to connect ideas across subjects and to apply their knowledge creatively. This process builds focus, confidence, and a lasting love of learning, reinforcing the school’s commitment to teaching children how to think, not what to think.
This approach to thoughtful learning carries beyond the classroom, equipping students with the patience, perseverance, and insight to meet challenges thoughtfully. Midyear reflection offers an opportunity for students, teachers, and families to recognize growth, revisit accomplishments, and discover new insights in previously explored work.
At the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, the measure of success is not in finished tasks, but in the understanding, care, and engagement each child brings.
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is an independent school serving children from early childhood through middle school. Rooted in Waldorf education, the school offers a hands-on, screens-off curriculum that integrates academics, the arts, and practical skills to support the healthy development of the whole child.
For two weekends starting February 20th, Home Made Theater will present Arthur Miller’s classic American masterpiece, The Crucible, at the Anthony “Skip” Scirocco Music Hall in the Saratoga Springs City Hall.
Set against the backdrop of the 1692 Salem witch trials, The Crucible remains one of the most acclaimed plays in the American theatrical canon. While it serves as a gripping historical tale, the play is also a timely parable of mass hysteria and the fragility of justice. The story follows John and Elizabeth Proctor; a farming couple caught in a web of accusations spun by a group of local girls led by Abigail Williams. As the town is consumed by fear, John Proctor must face an agonizing choice: save his life through a lie or preserve his dignity and his “name.”
The Crucible will be directed by Toni Anderson-Sommo, whose previous directing credits include The Wizard of Oz and The Jungle Book with Home Made Theater, A Bad Year for Tomatoes with both Glens Falls Community Theater and Schuylerville Theater, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee also with Glens Falls Community Theater. As an English teacher, Ms. Anderson-Sommo has been teaching The Crucible to her students for 38 years. When asked why it is important for people, especially young people, to experience this play Ms. Sommo responded “Now, more than ever, Miller’s play, The Crucible seems prescient. Although written as a direct response to the McCarthy Trials and the Red Scare, his themes of mass hysteria, fear, condemnation that sparks cruelty, and intolerance of others, cloaked in morality and religious fervor, is evident in all corners of our society. It is my hope that our production not only moves the audience, but enlightens them, and forces us all to confront the injustices that occur when we fail to learn from our past.”
In alignment with Home Made Theater’s mission to foster a lifelong passion for the arts, the company will host three weekday morning performances specifically for local schools, including Saratoga Springs High School, in addition to the six public performances.
The Saratoga Builders Association is proud to announce their continued monetary commitment to education and will be awarding two student scholarships once again in 2026. One is the $1000 SBA Scholarship award and the other is the $1000 “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship award. The organization makes these cash scholarships available annually to students who are planning to pursue a construction related education.
These scholarships are open to any high school senior or college undergraduate who lives or works in Saratoga County who is planning to pursue a construction education at a 2 or 4-year accredited college, university, technical school or for students who would like to purchase tools and/or equipment for employment/career or to start a business in the construction industry. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must demonstrate current or past involvement in the construction field, including classes taken in high school or college, to be eligible for these awards. Each applicant must also submit a high school or college transcript or list of trade classes taken plus a short essay (or video) describing why they are interested in a construction industry career.
Applications for the Saratoga Builders Association Scholarship program must be postmarked on or before April 30, 2026. Only the first 25 completed applications will be accepted so please apply early. The winners and their schools will be notified by June 1, 2026. To receive a scholarship application, please contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-366-0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org
BALLSTON SPA — The Innovation Center at Saratoga recently announced the launch of “Entrepreneurship is Everyone’s Business,” a program designed to strengthen the local economy by helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
“One of the great strengths of any community is the success of its small businesses,” said Beth Moeller, founder of the Innovation Center. “This program is designed to support the businesses that shape our region’s identity and vitality—the local shops, restaurants, consultancies, and creative makers and artists that make our community special.”
“Entrepreneurship is Everyone’s Business” is tailored to support main street, hospitality, business consultancies, and creatives (including visual artists, photographers, jewelry designers, and more). Other business types are welcome, and the program is open to both early-stage businesses and ventures that haven’t launched yet.
Unlike a traditional business boot camp, the Innovation Center emphasizes continued coaching, mentorship, and community accountability over time. The program is structured in four phases:
1) Learn (February through April) with six core business classes and then two elective tracks of three classes each serving the needs of artists and creatives, as well as the more traditional business.
2) Guide (May), where class participants are paired with mentors from SCORE or Saratoga Arts to help refine their business plan and model.
3) Pitch (June), where participants present their finalized business plans and concepts to key regional funding sources, including banks, development groups, and government sources.
4) Support (July through December): This phase focuses on building peer-to-peer support networks and a community of entrepreneurs balancing work, life, and startup growth. The program culminates in Everyone’s Business Demo Day, a public showcase where graduates can gain exposure and present to community leaders, potential customers, and investors as they take the next step toward expansion.
“What sets this program apart is that we don’t just teach you and send you off,” Moeller said. “We pair you with a mentor, we bring you together with other entrepreneurs facing the same challenges, and we stay with you for the full year. That’s the kind of support our local business owners deserve.”
Program details and registration information are available at innovationcentersaratoga.org/entrepreneur.
