Cannon in Saratoga National Historical Park, Saratoga County, Upstate New York, USA. This is the site of the Battles of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Rick Atkinson discusses his latest book with WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s Joe Donahue at the Saratoga Springs City Center on May 30. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — About ten miles from the site of the Battles of Saratoga, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson assessed the historic importance of the events, calling them a “manifest catastrophe for the British.”
Atkinson’s discussion of the famed skirmishes jived with what would probably be considered common knowledge among locals: Benjamin Franklin used the victory to entice the French into the war, a critical turning point that ultimately led to American independence. But he also described why the battlefields were a valuable resource for the second installment of his American Revolution trilogy, titled “The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780.”
“If you go to Saratoga, you’ve got some sense of the sacrifice that was made there,” Atkinson told a large audience at the Saratoga Springs City Center last Friday. “You get some feel for it. Even though it’s 250 years ago, there are ghosts there and you can feel them. It’s also important for me as an amateur to see the ground and to understand tactically why they did this and why they did that.
“I spend a lot of time understanding the flora and fauna of places. When I go to Saratoga or Valley Forge or whatever, I’ve got apps that show me what’s growing there, and I use that to be able to bring the reader in touch with the natural world the way that they were then…I think that’s one of my ambitions as a writer, to recreate that.”
Atkinson elaborated on his artistic aspirations as a chronicler of history, saying he hoped to bring long-dead people back to life, make the reader feel like they don’t know what’s going to happen (even when they do), and empower the reader’s imagination by allowing them to hear, smell, and feel historic events as if they were unfolding in the present.
“That is when I think you begin to transform history into art, when the reader’s imagination is playing on the words on the page in a way that they have become engrossed in the story,” Atkinson said.
One perhaps surprising detail Atkinson uncovered in his research was that he found George III to not quite be the “royal brute” described by Thomas Paine, nor the “tyrant” that Thomas Jefferson called him in the Declaration of Independence. Atkinson was granted access to thousands of previously unpublished letters written by George III, which helped him better understand the king’s perspective.
Cover of Atkinson’s “The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780” provided.
“He’s a constitutional monarch,” Atkinson said. “He’s a patriot king. He’s a child of the Enlightenment who’s a great patron of the arts and the sciences. He’s got a lot going for him.”
The scholar’s latest tome covers, among many other things, the Battles of Saratoga and the role of Fort Ticonderoga in the American Revolution. His previous work includes the Liberation Trilogy (“An Army at Dawn,” “The Day of Battle,” and “The Guns at Last Light”), as well as “The British Are Coming,” the first volume of his Revolution Trilogy.
His appearance at the Saratoga Springs City Center was presented by the Northshire Bookstore and the Saratoga 250 Commission, which had “soldiers” in revolutionary garb posted outside the event.
A map depicting the restricted air space over Saratoga (Created by Aidan Cahill)
It’ll be clear skies over the race track this Saturday. Not because of the weather but due to temporary flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The restrictions were announced Jun. 1 by the FAA in a Notice to Airman. The restrictions are in place during the Belmont on Broadway festival and the race itself and only affect aircraft flying 1,200 feet above the ground or lower.
During Belmont on Broadway, flight restrictions were imposed on two separate areas in Saratoga Springs. The first area covered was a half-mile radius surrounding the intersection of Broadway and Ellsworth Jones Pl. It was only during effect during the Belmont on Broadway.
The second area, meanwhile, is a half-mile radius from a point in center of the Saratoga Racecourse. This area will also go into effect from 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Jun. 6 and from 11 a.m. Jun. 7 to 3 a.m. Jun. 8.
According to Saratoga Springs Police, the restriction was requested by police out of an abundance of caution to prevent drones from interfering with the events. Police said this was the first time they had received the restricted airspace and there are no plans to request it for future races.
In a city council meeting on Jun. 3, Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll said commercial operators can get approval from the police and fire departments to fly their drones during the event. According to the FAA, of the over 1 million drones registered in the US, 420,825 are commercial drones.
A similar restriction was put in place surrounding Super Bowl LIX according to an FAA press release from January.
The 1,200 feet restriction is less than the height of the Empire State Building at 1,250 feet. It’s well below the cruising altitudes of common aircraft such as the Boeing 737 at around 35,000 feet and Cessna Skyhawk which can fly as high as 14,000 feet.
In addition to the restrictions of drone flight, Nelson Street from Wright St to Crescent Ave will be closed on Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. and will reopen at about 8 p.m. The ride share pickup point has been moved from near Siro’s on Lincoln Ave. to East Ave. near Potato Chip Lane.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 22-1 Saratoga Central Catholic varsity baseball squad earned a shot at the Section 2 Class C title after defeating Greenwich 6 to 1 on Memorial Day. As of press time, they were scheduled to face off against Granville Thursday afternoon for the championship at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.
In the semifinal win, the Saints were led at the plate by Max Britten (2-3), Jason Pescetti (2-3), and Ronan Rowe (1-2 with a walk). All of them batted in a run. Brian Selig shut down Greenwich on the mound, pitching 7 innings, striking out 8 hitters, and allowing 6 hits.
The one run allowed by Spa Catholic was their highest opponent score thus far in the sectional tournament, as the Saints walloped Hadley Luzerne 10 to 0 in the second round and clobbered Hoosic Valley 12 to 0 in the opening round.
Against Hoosic, Pierce Byrne tossed a no-hitter, whiffing ten batters. Contributing to the dozen runs were Ryan Gillis (2-2 with a triple and 2 RBI), Hunter Fales (1-2 with 2 RBI), and Ronan Rowe (1-2 with 2 RBI).
The Saints haven’t lost a game since they fell to Our Lady of Lourdes 12 to 6 on May 10.
Offensive statistical standouts this season have included Max Britten (slash line: .386/.463/.421), Pierce Byrne (.395/.489/.645), Kihl Kelly (.405/.520/.544), Jason Pescetti (.471/.553/.571), Ronan Rowe (.474/.550/.645), and Brian Selig Jr. (.382/.560/.500).
Pitchers Pierce Byrne (1.33 ERA in 42 innings), Luke Dejnozka (0.51 ERA in 27.1 innings), Brian Selig Jr. (0.41 ERA in 34 innings), and Tyler Weygand (1.14 ERA in 24.2 innings) have shut down the Saints’ foes all season.
Photo of Aaron Madej via his Instagram account, @internaaron.
ALBANY — Greeting the governor. Suiting up to play for the Albany FireWolves. Winning the judges’ choice award at a fashion show in Saratoga Springs.
For the past year or so, it felt like everywhere you looked in the Capital Region, there was Intern Aaron (real name: Aaron Madej), a content producer and social media star who, until earlier this month, worked at Two Buttons Deep, a digital media company that has collaborated with Stewart’s Shops, the Saratoga Casino Hotel, and a host of other local institutions.
Then, with one swift social media post, he was gone.
“The rumors are true, Intern Aaron has left Two Buttons Deep; he quit,” announced the company’s co-founder Jack Carpenter in a May 8 video. “I speak for the team when I say that we’re bummed. We didn’t see this coming, and I felt he had a lot more potential here in our world, but alas, he’s got new opportunities coming his way and he’s doing what’s best for Intern Aaron, and really that’s all that matters.”
But the Aaron Madej story didn’t end there. Rather, it entered its sequel, “Empire [State] Strikes Back” era.
“When my departure happened, it came to a certain point where I realized that I needed to prioritize myself and my mental health and go forward and take new opportunities that also align with my personal, career-driven mission,” Madej told Saratoga TODAY.
That mission? To become an on-air personality for QVC, the home shopping network that Madej said he’s been watching since he was four years old.
“I have always been amazed at the persuasive tone of reporters on QVC, and that sort of carried through my entire life,” Madej said. “No joke, I put QVC on in the background in my house. It’s literally on the TV muted right now.”
Madej’s long-time admiration of QVC has helped dictate where his career is headed next, now that he’s officially a free agent. He’ll be working with Lola Saratoga, the downtown boutique known for its designer handbags, selling their products live on TikTok. Madej is also looking to expand his presence from social media to TV screens. It’s all in pursuit of his QVC dream.
“If QVC called me today, the second call would be to my landlord to cancel my lease,” Madej quipped.
Although he’d skip town for such an opportunity, Madej said he believes he’ll always end up back at home here in the Capital Region.
“I love it here,” said Madej, who grew up in Amsterdam. “It’s all I’ve ever known.”
While attending Amsterdam High School, the former intern fell in love with the world of marketing and knew he wanted to pursue it as a career. Fast forward a few years later and Madej, now a student at the University at Albany, saw an opening at Two Buttons Deep. Interested in a fun and flexible opportunity, it was a natural fit.
His tenure at the company began with an internship (hence his nickname) in fall 2023 before he was promoted to content producer. In that role, he appeared on the Buttonista Show podcast, met with clients, and curated social media content. His time at the company taught him not only how to be a success in the social media landscape, but it also provided a crash course in the businesses and power players of the Capital Region. But becoming a notable on-camera personality wasn’t something Madej initially expected.
“I got to learn, especially from Taylor Rao [aka the Buttonista], a lot of what it takes to be on camera and how we can shift our personalities to be best for the camera,” he said.
Despite the shift, Madej said his public persona is genuine, albeit a bit more extroverted than his true self. And when his true self is out and about in the world, he said he’s often approached by fans.
“It’s very strange to be that hyper-local celebrity,” Madej said. “It’s really great to be able to connect with people and also remind myself every day that my small work that I do really makes a positive impact in people’s lives and makes them feel better not only about themselves but also about the area that they live in.”
Whether selling handbags, interviewing the governor, dancing with the FireWolves, strutting his stuff at Panza’s, or ending up on QVC, the artist formerly known as Intern Aaron is, at heart, a Capital Region devotee.
“I love that every single city has a little bit of a different culture,” he said. “Every day I can wake up and I can choose what I want. If I want a big city life or if I want to go to the track or if I want to go to the Adirondacks and do some hiking, it’s all within arm’s reach. And that’s what I love about it.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The highly anticipated Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, taking place for the second year at the historic Saratoga Race Course, begins on Wednesday, June 4 and concludes on Sunday, June 8. The festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014. To celebrate the festival, Saratoga Springs is hosting a variety of events throughout the week.
Tuesday, June 3
Embrace the Belmont II (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) brings the community together to learn basic handicapping and explore the 2025 Belmont Stakes field. The event is designed to help local business owners, professionals, and residents deepen their understanding of horse racing. Last year’s event at the National Museum of Racing sold out, so this year, Embrace the Belmont II is moving to a larger venue: the Universal Preservation Hall. The emcee is Donna Brothers, an NBC Sports analyst who just covered the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Wednesday, June 4
Belmont on Broadway, a free concert on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, is slated for June 4, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with performances by Gin Blossoms and Uprooted. Broadway will be closed from Van Dam to City Hall most likely all day Wednesday starting early in the morning to install the stage.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s latest exhibits, “A Look Through the Eyes and Life of Charlotte C. Weber” and “Greg Montgomery: 40 Years of the Travers Poster,” will open to the public. In the Museum’s McBean Gallery, “A Look Through the Eyes and Life of Charlotte C. Weber” chronicles the legacy of Charlotte Weber, who established Live Oak Stud in Ocala, Florida. The exhibit also explores her passion for art, philanthropy, and business, as well her roles as a leader and trailblazer in various disciplines. The Museum’s von Stade Gallery will host “Greg Montgomery: 40 Years of the Travers Poster,” one of racing’s most iconic series of artwork. Montgomery began producing annual posters for Saratoga Race Course’s Travers Stakes in 1986.
Bradley Chance Hays Live Painting at the Spa Fine Art Gallery is a special live painting event featuring celebrated Western artist Bradley Chance Hays occurring from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Chance will be in the gallery creating original work in real time—offering a rare glimpse into his expressive, high-energy process. Known for his bold depictions of horses and the American West, Hays brings a contemporary edge to a classic subject matter. The event is free and open to the public—stop by, meet the artist, and experience the creative spirit that kicks off Belmont Week.
Thursday, June 5
The Belmont Gala at the Canfield Casino will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of sportsmanship beginning at 7 p.m. The event will recognize the connections of 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch: owners Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Pine Racing Stables, R. A. Hill Stable, Two Eight Racing LLC, West Paces Racing LLC, trainer Danny Gargan, and jockey Luis Saez. Tickets can be purchased here: racingmuseum.org/events/belmont-gala.
Sports Illustrated’s Revel at the Races comes to the Belmont Stakes for the first time. In partnership with The New York Racing Association (NYRA), this event will be headlined by G-Eazy and take place at The Night Owl in downtown Saratoga beginning at 7 p.m. The event offers a high-energy night of live music, premium hospitality, and immersive brand activations that bring fans closer to the sports moments they love. Tickets are available at BelmontStakes.com/Revel.
Farm Brewery Tour & Tasting at Dancing Grain Brewery from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. includes a stroll through the scenic fields of Dancing Grain on a guided farm and brewery tour, a curated tasting of craft beers, and a farm-fresh lunch prepared by 9 Miles East. For more information, visit https://dancinggrain.com/.
Friday, June 6
Belmont Bites and Brews (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) will be an open house event at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame featuring food trucks, local brews, and more. The event is free to attend. Participating vendors include Slidin’ Dirty, Screaming Eagle, Ted’s Fish Fry, and 80K Catering. New Scotland Spirits will also be on hand for a whiskey tasting.
“Famous Fillies” Preview Reception featuring Lisa Palombo at the Spa Fine Art Gallery from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition celebrates the most legendary female racehorses in history. Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the great Ruffian, this collection honors the spirit and power of champions like Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra—fillies who redefined excellence on the track. This event is open to the public and reservations are optional.
Horse of a Different Color: A Belmont Special with Live Music at Saratoga Paint N Sip celebrates the opening of the 2025 Saratoga Race Track and the Belmont Stakes with a colorful horse. No painting experience necessary. For more information, visit www.paintandsipstudios.com/.
Behind-the-scenes walking tour of the Saratoga Race Course at 9:30 a.m. offers a rare opportunity to explore the oldest and one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States. Led by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Executive Director Samantha Bosshart, this special walking tour will take participants through both the public and lesser-known sides of the Saratoga Race Course. Highlights include iconic locations such as the Grandstand and Clubhouse, including the Oklahoma Training Track, as well as areas not usually open to the public—the original 1847 Race Course, and Horse Haven. Tours begin at the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. is a 90-minute guided walking tour designed to entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents with the famed stories of the Spa City. Saratoga Springs was the playground of the rich and famous during the 1800’s and provides the stories of this gilded period of history. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center/.
Saturday, June 7
The Belmont Stakes Saturday Morning Social (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will feature complimentary coffee and doughnuts (courtesy of Stewart’s Shops) and complimentary Saratoga Water. Admission to the Museum is free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday Morning Social programming will include a special Belmont Stakes handicapping seminar with Mike Beer from Daily Racing Form at 10 a.m. Artist Greg Montgomery will also be on hand to sign copies of his 2025 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes posters (available for purchase).
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. is a 90-minute guided walking tour designed to entertain and enlighten both visitors and residents with the famed stories of the Spa City. Saratoga Springs was the playground of the rich and famous during the 1800’s and provides the stories of this gilded period of history. For more information, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center/.
Sunday, June 8
The Belmont Family Fun Fest (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will include games, food, animals, and more in a vibrant open house setting. Highlights will include a bounce house and slides; complimentary ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy; a hammer strike game with prizes; magical feats from the spectacular Mr. Twisty (at 11 a.m.); a towering rock-climbing wall; a menagerie of animals; a face painting station; and a bird show from the Silent Wings Raptor Rescue. The event is open to all ages and is free to attend.
Behind-the-scenes walking tour of the Saratoga Race Course at 9:30 a.m. offers a rare opportunity to explore the oldest and one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States. Led by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Executive Director Samantha Bosshart, this special walking tour will take participants through both the public and lesser-known sides of the Saratoga Race Course. Highlights include iconic locations such as the Grandstand and Clubhouse, including the Oklahoma Training Track, as well as areas not usually open to the public—the original 1847 Race Course, and Horse Haven. Tours begin at the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
Some additional Belmont Stakes Racing Festival items of interest:
• The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame satellite facility at the Saratoga Race Course’s Walk of Fame will be open daily during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
• The Past is Present, a mural by artist Celeste Susany in celebration of 75 years of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, will be complete and accessible for viewing on the Museum exterior on Ludlow Street.
• Contemporary Equine Art Display and Box Draw Art Sale (Monday, June 2 through Wednesday, June 4): In the spirit of the Belmont Stakes, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is hosting a display of original contemporary art created by five renowned equine artists: Robert Clark, Lisa Palombo, Jocelyn Russell, Steve Skipper, and Celeste Susany. Visit the Museum June 2 through June 4 to enter your intent to purchase one of these unique pieces. Proceeds from each piece of artwork are shared with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the artist.
A group of local business leaders participate in the “Inside Ballston Spa” panel discussion at the Milton Community Center on Tuesday morning. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa business leaders representing the construction, real estate, tourism, and hospitality industries convened at the Milton Community Center on Tuesday morning to discuss the state and future of the village.
County-wide issues such as meager housing inventory and a declining workforce in the trades have borne their brunt on Ballston Spa. But the impact of local events such as the forthcoming Belmont Stakes or the opening of Tree House Brewing have yielded positive and/or mixed results for the village.
Challenges, successes, and future plans were the focus of the “Inside Ballston Spa” discussion presented by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County (an affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber) and the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association.
The Trades
Doug Ford, vice president of public relations and purchasing at the Curtis Lumber Company, said his industry has changed dramatically since he first entered it. Women, once a rare sight in lumber yards in the 1970s, now make up roughly half of Curtis’ workforce, he said. But attracting younger people into the industry has been a persistent challenge.
“We’ve done an absolutely horrible job of getting in front of young people and helping them understand exactly what our job entails and the opportunities that exist,” Ford said. “It’s not the schools that were at fault, it was us as an industry. We were absolutely doing nothing to help ourselves.”
Ford said that, at first, his company began talking to high school juniors and seniors, but he soon realized this was too late in a young person’s life to introduce the possibility of working in the trades. Today, outreach begins with elementary students and continues through middle school, high school, and college.
“I think the biggest thing we have to understand is that the trades are not a default to going to college. That’s the mindset that really needs to change,” Ford said. “If you’ve tried to hire a plumber, electrician, or someone from the trades recently, you’ll start to understand that’s a very lucrative and rewarding career path. It’s not something we should be looking down upon.”
Real Estate
Lisa Licata, managing broker of the Sterling Real Estate Group, said housing inventory remains low (despite high demand) and that interest rates are averaging around 6% for a 15-year mortgage and 6.8% for a 30-year. But, she said, there’s also been a sizable uptick in new construction and interest in modular homes.
“The average price point for a resale home is about $409,000, and that’s up 4% from last year,” Licata said. “In April, 61% of the homes that sold went above the asking price. 90% of those homes were on the market for less than 30 days. There is a big need for affordability.”
Tourism
Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, is a Ballston Spa resident who said that the village’s remarkable growth over the years has made it a destination for the influx of Saratoga Race Course visitors arriving each summer.
“I’m pretty proud of what’s happening here,” Leggieri said. “The culinary scene, the small businesses; you don’t see a lot of vacancies downtown, which is awesome…We have the assets here, it’s about amplifying that message and that’s what we try to do at Discover Saratoga.”
Leggieri said that tourism is a $1 billion industry in Saratoga County, creating thousands of jobs and tax relief for residents.
“If you create a destination where people want to visit, you’ll create a destination where people want to live,” he said. “And if you create a destination where people want to live, you’ll create a destination where people want to work, and they’ll also want to invest. That’s the circle, and it keeps on going and going.”
Breweries
One Ballston Spa-based asset that reels in tourists is Speckled Pig Brewing, which is expanding its downtown presence with a new, neighboring distillery set to open sometime this year. Larry Heid, a Speckled Pig co-owner, said his company offers tastings at the Taste New York Pavilion at the track, which allows them to invite racing fans to venture to their brewery in Ballston Spa. He also said that outdoor spaces are an important attraction for summertime tourists (Speckled Pig has a rooftop space and the forthcoming distillery will feature an outdoor patio).
As for the arrival of Tree House Brewing earlier this year, Heid said he knew the brewery would offer some stiff competition, but that Speckled Pig offers more of a community experience than its larger competitor.
“What we really like to do is make sure that when people come to the Speckled Pig, they feel like a community,” he said. “We love seeing people all of a sudden be like, ‘Oh my God, we haven’t seen you in forever,’ and the Speckled Pig becomes a gathering place for residents of the Village of Ballston Spa. So we can hit on that customer experience that a place like Treehouse doesn’t doesn’t have.”
Heid said he often sees people arriving at Speckled Pig after first stopping by Tree House. This brewery-hopping, added Leggieri, has become a focus for Discover Saratoga, which is working on ways to incentivize tourists to visit multiple local breweries.
Renderings of a renovated Spa Little Theater via Phinney Design / the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced last week a $17.5 million fundraising campaign—the largest fundraising effort in SPAC history—in anticipation of its upcoming 60th anniversary next year. The capital campaign would allow SPAC to renovate its historic Spa Little Theater to the tune of $12 million.
“Launching our Four Seasons Campaign is an exciting next step that will bring us into the future, raising funds to completely renovate and restore Spa Little Theater for the first time in its 100-year history and supporting our year-round artistic and educational programming for years to come,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s chief executive officer, at the organization’s annual meeting.
As part of the quiet phase of the campaign, which launched in 2024, Stewart’s Shops/the Dake Family gave the lead gift of $1 million to support these initiatives.
“In 1966, members of the Saratoga community came together to build SPAC. Sixty years later, we are asking the Saratoga community to help ensure that all we have created here together endures well into the future,” said Susan Law Dake, a SPAC board member and Four Seasons Campaign chair.
The theater renovation would be the first time that the 500-seat venue has undergone a major facelift since it was built in 1935. The redesign will be “fresh and accessible” while maintaining the venue’s “acoustic and historic integrity,” SPAC said.
Christopher Shiley, president of SPAC, said that since taking over operations of the Spa Little Theater in 2022, SPAC has presented more than 100 events at the venue, welcomed more than 35,000 guests, and expanded the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s season to a year-round residency. The theater has also been used as an event space for cultural, community, and corporate partners.
The project will include 17,125 square feet of interior and exterior renovations, including:
a new floor plan and accessibility measures;
theater upgrades (including updated seats);
increased ADA seating;
a new stage floor;
an environmentally-efficient HVAC system;
a new lobby layout with an increased number of renovated and accessible restrooms;
an updated box office;
a new bar/café;
a multipurpose community room with an adjacent outdoor patio;
a new artist suite and dressing rooms.
The project has been awarded a $2.2 million capital grant from Empire State Development through the Regional Council initiative, and $2 million pursuant to the most recently enacted New York State budget thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Parks, and the New York State Legislature. Additional funding has been provided by the SPAC board and other private donors and family foundations.
A groundbreaking is slated for September 2025, with a reopening planned for late fall of 2026 to celebrate the conclusion of the 60th anniversary season.
Chowderfest 2022. Photo by Supersource Media Studios.
“At Discover Saratoga, we’re proud of the role we play in promoting Saratoga County and helping our local businesses thrive. In 2024, our work helped generate more than 855,000 room nights and $150 million in lodging revenue,” said Darryl Leggieri, President, Discover Saratoga. We also brought in hundreds of meetings, conventions, and sporting events, keeping Saratoga top of mind for travelers and event planners alike. It’s all about working together to keep our community vibrant, welcoming, and successful year-round.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs is known as a year-round destination filled with world-class attractions, thriving arts and culture, exquisite restaurants, upscale retail and boutique shopping, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The city and county owe much of their success and notoriety to the efforts of Discover Saratoga.
Under the leadership of President Darryl Leggieri, Discover Saratoga acts as an outstanding resource for tourism and hospitality throughout Saratoga County. Their members’ hard work and support have enabled them to effectively market and promote the diverse businesses and attractions of our city and our county. Discover Saratoga’s commitment to the area’s history, culture, and hospitality have fueled economic growth and enhanced visitor experiences since their establishment in 1985.
Recent annual events hosted by Discover Saratoga include:
2024 Healthy Saratoga Weekend
First-time event in 2024
29 participants
2024 Belmont on Broadway
Headlined by Blues Traveler Band
15,000+ estimated attendees
2024 Saratoga Wing Off
34 participating restaurants
$6,000 raised for American Cancer Society
2024 Restaurant Week
46 participating restaurants
6 first-time participants
2024 Saratoga New Year’s Eve
4 event venues and 12 musical acts
3,500 estimated attendees
2025 Chowderfest
89 vendors including 13 first-time participants
40,000 estimated attendees
109,000 bowls of chowder served
For information or assistance from Discover Saratoga, visit www.discoversaratoga.org.
