The wild blue lupine has sprouted across the Saratoga Sand Plains and has turned the meadows into a sea of soft lavender-colored flowers. These native flowers are not only beautiful, but they also play a vital role in the life cycle of the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

Nature enthusiasts will have several opportunities throughout June to join guided nature walks to explore the unique habitat of the Karner blue butterfly. These beautiful butterflies, once widespread in the Northeast, depend entirely on the wild blue lupine for survival.

These guided walks offer a chance to witness the life cycle of one of North America’s at-risk butterflies and to experience the natural beauty of the Saratoga Sand Plains at its peak.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is offering free walks on Wednesdays continuing through June 24. Additional weekend walks will take place on Saturdays, June 13 and 27. These walks will take place at 1:30 p.m. To register for these events, visit: wiltonpreserve.org

Join Bikeatoga at the 57th Annual Elks Flag Day Parade on Saturday, June 13th, for a celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. The parade starts at 12:00 p.m. and travels down Broadway through downtown Saratoga Springs to Congress Park.

An event fitting for the whole family, decorate your bike and celebrate Flag Day by biking through downtown Saratoga. Every child who rides will receive a Flag Day pinwheel for their bike.

Participants should plan to gather by 11:15 a.m. at our assigned staging area on North Broadway. The lineup location has yet to be finalized, go to Bikeatoga on Facebook for parade updates.

After the parade, the Saratoga Elks Lodge will host a community picnic and celebration of the Army’s 251st Birthday.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is hosting a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) exhibit at Saratoga Spa State Park from June 6, through July 7. 

The “Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities” exhibit explores how, through careful observation, we gather vital information that helps us prepare for the future and build stronger, more resilient communities. Created by the NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research, the traveling exhibit features interactive stations and educational display panels detailing weather patterns and changing landscapes. The exhibition also explains how communities and scientists contribute to the knowledge of our planet.  

While displayed at Saratoga Spa State Park, the exhibit will feature region-specific elements including information about the New York State Mesonet and the New York State Hemlock Initiative.  

Double M Haunted Hayrides & Haunted Houses is bringing the Halloween spirit back early with the return of its annual Halfway to Halloween event, taking place on Saturday, June 13.

 Now in its third year, the event has been reimagined to deliver an immersive summer night experience filled with eerie atmosphere, live entertainment, and nonstop scares. Six haunted houses will open, each packed with detailed scenes, terrifying characters, and intense scares that Double M has become known for over its 30+ year legacy.

Tickets for Halfway to Halloween are limited and available online only. Guests are encouraged to purchase early, as the event is expected to sell out. For tickets and more information, visit: www.doublemhauntedhayrides.com.

Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum hosts an Olde Time Strawberry Social on Sunday June 14, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Enjoy the beautiful Brookside gardens and savor strawberry shortcake, made with homemade biscuits and real whipped cream, for $5 a serving. Listen to a performance by musician Bob Marcotte, of the NYS Country Music Hall of Fame. For $5, create small bouquets featuring blooms from Balet Flowers and Design. This annual event supports the gardens at Brookside Museum. Order in advance online at www.brooksidemuseum.org to secure your shortcake!

Want to have your personal pictures from around Saratoga Race Course put on display? The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is now accepting submissions for the return of its juried photography exhibition, Photo Finish. The exhibition will be on view at the Museum from Oct. 28 through Dec. 31.

Professional and amateur photographers are encouraged to submit artistic and unique perspectives and may enter up to two photos. Each submission must relate to the sport of thoroughbred racing in America, including, but not limited to, racing and training scenes, the backstretch, life on the farm, and the emotions of the fans.

A panel of judges representing the racing and arts communities will select the photographs for the exhibition at the Museum, which will be on display in the von Stade Gallery. Additional entries may be considered for inclusion in the online exhibition at the jurors’ discretion.

The application form will be available at the Museum’s Visitor Services desk and digitally on the Museum’s website here: racingmuseum.org/photo-finish. If you have any questions about the exhibition, please email info@racingmuseum.net or call (518) 584-0400 ext. 113.

Opera Saratoga is celebrating 65 seasons of bringing world-class opera to the Capital Region on June 4 at Saratoga National Golf Course. The Opera Saratoga gala, themed after the Covent Garden Flower Market, will feature performances by the Festival Artists. 

Opera Saratoga’s 65th summer festival announces starry additional casting for “My Fair Lady” and “The Elixir of Love” at Universal Preservation Hall between June 20-28.

 “My Fair Lady” just announced cast members and celebrated opera stars Keith Jameson as Alfred Doolittle and Amy Burton as Mrs. Higgins. Burton made her debut as a young artist at the company in the 1980’s and returns to the company in this important role.

 “The Elixir of Love just added cast member WooYoung Yoon as Nemorino. Yoon was a Festival Artist with the company as well and famously was married on the grounds of Yaddo.

For tickets and more information about the Opera Saratoga Gala and the Opera Festival Season, visit operasaratoga.org.

On Sunday, May 31, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will host its annual Wildlife Festival at the Historic Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in Wilton. This free event will feature information on Karner blue butterflies, live animals, music, nature crafts, pond exploration, food, and lots of hands-on fun for all ages.

This event is timed so that participants can enjoy the beauty of the first brood of the Karner blue butterflies and the blooming of the wild blue lupine. Activities will take place throughout Camp Saratoga to encourage people to explore the wonderful trail system and celebrate National Trails Day.

Besides seeing the endangered Karner blue butterflies, participants will be able to meet other live animals. Native raptors will be presented by Trish Marki of Silent Wings, sponsored by Ballston Spa National Bank, an observational beehive presented by the Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association, Seeing-eye Dogs from the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Adirondack Puppy Raising Region, adoptable rabbits from Hop on Home, and so much more.

Out in the meadow, there will be a Karner blue butterfly information table to help visitors learn about the Saratoga Sand Plains Habitat Restoration area. Educators from Wilton Wildlife will share information about the efforts of New York State DEC and The Nature Conservancy to improve habitat for endangered species.

Beginning at 11:00 AM, there will be numerous nature activities taking place in locations around Camp Saratoga. From butterfly crafts to watercolor, fish printing, and pond exploration, there is something for everyone. During the festival, fire tower volunteers will be staffing the Donald A. Collins Memorial Fire Observer’s Cabin along with the Historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower for visitors to get a unique view.

Live music will be presented by Café Lena’s School of Music, Rolling Pebbles, and Jazz Modes in the pavilion located at Camp Saratoga South.

Food will be available for purchase at a volunteer-run barbecue, along with baked goods donated by Wilton Wildlife volunteers. Sip Happens will be selling Karner blue butterfly-themed sodas, teas, and lemonades.

Wilton Wildlife will be sharing information about the Larry Gordon Outdoor Education Center that they are working on for Camp Saratoga in partnership with the Town of Wilton. Maps, festival flyers, upcoming program flyers, and the first annual Wilton Wildlife Trail Challenge prizes will be available at the Information Table located on the porch of the Welcome Cabin in Parking Lot #1. Participants will also be able to pick up an activity passport at the Information Table and get it stamped as they go around the festival to win prizes and get fun giveaways!

The Wildlife Festival will take place rain or shine, with many of the activities moving under the cover of Camp Saratoga’s many pavilions, the dining hall, and the Welcome Cabin in case of rainy weather. They encourage people to carpool, bike, blade, or walk since parking, while free, is limited.

For more information, please call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email bella@wiltonpreserve.org. Celebrating 30 years of providing environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.