Skip to main content

Heritage Area Visitor Center Launches 2024 Guided Trolley Tours of Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center has launched their 2024 guided trolley tours. 

The 90-minute guided tour of historic Saratoga Springs will run through Thursday, Aug. 29, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person.

“This informative and entertaining riding tour includes historic sights and points of interest along Broadway, North Broadway, Skidmore campus, High Rock Park for a mineral water tasting, Saratoga Race Course, and more,” said Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center Director Karen Verrigni in a statement.

The 28-passenger trolleys feature authentic wooden seating, decorative etched glass windows, air-conditioning and a wheelchair lift. 

For advanced reservations, call 518- 587-3241. Day of tickets, based on availability, can be purchased at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway. No refunds for reservations cancelled less than 48 hours prior to start of tour. Cancellations can be made by phone or email at karen@discoversaratoga.org. For more information, visit www.saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com.

Saratoga Grad Headed to Hall of Fame

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Kelsey Chmiel poses at Saratoga Springs High School in 2017. Photo by  Photoandgraphic.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kelsey Chmiel, a 2019 Saratoga Springs High School graduate, will be inducted into the Greater Capital Region Track, Field, and Cross Country Hall of Fame. She was selected in her first year of eligibility. 

While running for the Blue Streaks, Chmiel captured state and federation championships, as well as top-five overall finishes in each of her four years at the Nike Cross Nationals. In her junior year, she was the Gatorade New York State Cross Country Runner of the Year. She was a 12-time high school All-American, broke the national outdoor 3,000-meter mark for sophomores, and holds the state record of 16:18.57 in the outdoor 5K. At the age of 16, she won the junior division of the Great Edinburgh International X Country Challenge in Scotland.

After graduating from Saratoga, Chmiel attended North Carolina State, where she continued to accumulate accolades. She was an 11-time All-American. She was crowned the 5,000-meter 2022-20223 ACC Indoor Champion, the 2021 ACC Cross Country Champion, and the 2021 NCAA Southeast Regional Cross Country Champion.

For all these achievements and more, Chmiel will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during an annual banquet ceremony held on Saturday, October 5 at the Albany Marriott in Colonie.

Saratoga Springs History Museum Invites Thrill-Seekers to Embark on Ghost Tours of the Canfield Casino 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs History Museum will host “Ghost Tours of the Canfield Casino” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to noon through Sept. 2. 

Located in the heart of Saratoga Springs, the Canfield Casino has garnered attention for its eerie atmosphere and ghostly tales, featured prominently on Ghost Hunters and recognized as one of America’s Most Terrifying Places by the Travel Channel.

Participants will step back in time as they traverse the shadowy corridors of this iconic landmark, uncovering the mysteries and legends that have intrigued visitors for generations. 

Led by knowledgeable guides, attendees will hear firsthand accounts of spectral sightings and unearthly occurrences that promise intrigue and excitement.

Guests can either reserve tickets in advance or purchase them at the front desk. For ticket reservations and additional information, go to: https://www.saratogahistory.org/ghost-tours

2024 Saratoga County Fair Runs July 23-28

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

BALLSTON SPA  — The annual Saratoga County Fair runs from Tuesday, July 23 through Sunday, July 28.

The annual Saratoga County Fair features hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of exhibits, a wide variety of foods, live music, special show attractions and spectacular midway rides.

Established in 1841, the Saratoga County Fair is presented by the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Each year the Fair provides visitors with an engaging and entertaining opportunity to connect with Saratoga County’s rich agricultural heritage.

Fair hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Fairgrounds & Expo Center is located at 162 Prospect St. Ballston Spa.  

A full program of 2024 Saratoga County Fair events and attractions is now available online at the Saratoga County Fair website at https://saratogacountyfair.org/events/. Admission, tickets, parking and other information is available on the Fair’s homepage https://saratogacountyfair.org/. For more information contact the Saratoga County Fair Office at 518-885-9701.

Local Students Awarded $100,000 in Scholarships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation awarded $100,000 in scholarships to fifteen local students at their 24th annual Scholarship Awards Banquet on June 20.

The winner of the $20,000 Presidential Scholarship was Elaina Jacob from Saratoga Springs High School, who will attend the University at Buffalo to major in Biomedical Sciences. Jacob, who was born in Syria, told banquet attendees that she was grateful to be in the United States pursuing her dream of going to college.

The other fourteen scholarship winners were Bianca Babcock, Rosemeen Bhattal, Andre Culpepper-Wehr, Sandra Fierros-Garcia, McKenna Malloy, Reilly McCormack, Naomi Molina-Roman, Taylor Morgan, Madelyn Nolan, Jalen Pearsall, Gabriel Sherwin, Noelle Slye, 

Bin Traeger, and Talia Winters.

Local Fundraiser Set for June 30 in Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Neighborhood Buzz.

The Bernath Family. Photo provided

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ashley Bernath, then known as Ashley Johnson grew up in Saratoga Springs and today makes her home in Massachusetts with Ryan Bernath and their two daughters. 

Last October, the Bernaths’ then three-month-old daughter, Lucy, developed COVID and was admitted to a Massachusetts hospital with respiratory distress. While at the hospital, the girl developed Gastroparesis, a feeding aversion, and a secondary respiratory illness that required extended hospitalization. 

Lucy, whom is nicknamed “Little Lulu,” remained in the hospital until December, when she received a gastrostomy tube. Today, she is still nourished via feeding tube and requires full-time attention and the support of the Mass General Hospital Aerodigestive team, but is doing better. 

The Bernaths were finally home with their two girls, and feeling like they could see the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

This past May, after a few days of limping around the house, Ashley and Ryan’s older, 2-year-old daughter Charlie went to get X-rays for an injured foot. What was found instead was a broken femur. Less than a day later, a doctor announced the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Two-year-old Charlie has cancer. 

A site was created to help with the expenses that will be accumulated over the coming months, and a posting on the fundraising platform Spotfund set $150,000 as a goal. To date, more than $120,000 has been donated. (For more on this, go to: spotfund.com and type The Bernath Family in the search box). 

A local fundraiser will take place from noon – 5 p.m. Sunday, June 30 at King’s Tavern on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs. For reservations, call 518-441-1103. 

Contributions will go toward Little Lucy’s many doctors visits, (physical therapy, weekly nurse visits, and monthly visits at MGH to maintain weight and strength) in addition to the enormous financial burden the Bernaths will soon face in the wake of Charlie’s Leukemia diagnosis.

Saratoga Springs Man Inducted Into the Bugler’s Hall of Fame

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

George “Jeff” Perkins Jr. and Chuck Mangione in Saratoga Springs in 2019. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —George F. Perkins Jr. of Saratoga Springs was inducted into the Buglers Hall of Fame at a ceremonial banquet held at Batavia Downs Raceway and Casino. 

A lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, Perkins born in 1942 and began his drum & bugle corps experience in 1953 on the 3rd floor of City Hall when he joined the Saratoga Jr. Cadet Corps. In 1964, he helped re-form the disbanded Saratoga Sr. Cadet corps to perform once again in the1964 Saratoga Bi-Centennial Celebration Parade. 

Perkins’ marching career spans 32 years and has included the Saratoga Junior Cadet Corps and Ambassadors, Fort Edward Vagabonds, Gloversville Fusiliers, Troy-Pittsfield Interstatesmen, Springfield MA Marksmen, and the Syracuse Brigadiers as a soprano bugler. 

In 1975, he became the founding Director of Saratoga’s Avant Garde, and led them to a world-renowned status in the drum & bugle corps activity. The corps represented the city of Saratoga Springs wherever they performed, logging over 10,000 miles annually. 

Avant Garde disbanded after the 1985 season and many former members have become professional instrumentalists. They reunited in 2018 for a performance in the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Flag Day Parade, and again in 2019 when Chuck Mangione visited Saratoga to attend a special celebration concert held in his honor at the Lake Avenue Elementary School.

Perkins is currently a singing member of Saratoga’s Racing City Barbershop Chorus. 

Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market Opens June 15

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

The 2024 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market opens June 15, Photo provided.

BALLSTON SPA — The 2024 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market will be held every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. from June 15 to Oct. 5 at Wiswall Park on Front Street. 

Since 2003, these markets have been connecting the community with local farms, food, and craft producers.

Presented by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA), vendors interested in joining the 2024 Season at the market may submit applications at: www.ballston.org/category/farmers-market/.

The Farmers’ Market is also seeking community volunteers to assist during market days. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to connect with vendors, enjoy early bird shopping, and to help promote the market’s presence in Ballston Spa. For more information, reach out to farmersmarket@ballston.org. 

Gideon Putnam Burying Ground Historic Marker Restored

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Matt Veitch, at left, Saratoga Springs City Historian Mary Ann Fitzgerald (front, center) at Gideon Putnam Burying Ground. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Matt Veitch was joined by the Saratoga Springs Historian and representatives from Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, Saratoga Springs DPW, Saratoga Springs History Museum, and TR Signs to unveil the restored Gideon Putnam Burying Ground Historic Marker. 

Veitch, who represents Saratoga Springs at the county level of government, secured funding in the County’s 2023 budget to dedicate to various projects in Saratoga Springs. 

Veitch spearheaded an initiative to restore multiple historic markers and signs throughout the city, including:  Bryan Home (Olde Bryan Inn), NYS County Highway Superintendents Association Founding site, Walworth Estate (Pine Grove), The ‘Gut’ or the ‘Valley’ commemoration of Jewish Contributions to the City, Solomon Northup Memorial, and Dublin Neighborhood marker.

The Gideon Putnam Burying Ground is located on South Franklin Street in Saratoga Springs. Named for the founding father of Saratoga Springs, Gideon Putnam, the cemetery contains more than 150 graves of early and mid-19th century, mostly working-class residents of the city. In 1835, the Putnams gave their family burial land to the village of Saratoga Springs to be used as a public burial plot. In 1812, Gideon Putnam became the first to be buried here.

In 1811, Gideon began construction of Congress Hall just north of Congress Spring but was seriously injured when a section of scaffolding at the hotel collapsed. He died in 1812 at the age of 49 as a result of his injuries.