Car Show this weekend in Ballston Spa. Photo provided.
BALLSTON SPA — Downtown Ballston Spa is about to transform into a showroom full of classic cars with the 21st Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show Sunday, Oct. 8.
The event, presented by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, takes place 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Front Street, Ballston Spa.
Organizers are expecting a large turnout of cars and trucks. There will also be food and merchandise vendors, a kid zone with a bounce house and activities, live music and a trophy presentation at the end of the day.
The event is free to spectators. To learn more about “The Way We Were” Car Show, visit www.ballston.org.
Ribbon-cutting of a new, multi-use sports area at the city’s Vanderbilt Avenue recreation center on Sept. 25, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The city of Saratoga Springs cut the ribbon on a new, multi-use sports area at the Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center this week, boasting six goal cages that recess into the mesh network and a pair of basketball hoops – with nylon nets intact and in place – standing tall at opposite ends.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 25 included current City Council members Jason Golub and James Montagnino, and former city Mayor Scott Johnson – after whom the adjoining recreation facility on Vanderbilt Avenue is named.
Johnson, who served three two-year terms as Saratoga Springs mayor from 2007-2013, is largely credited for helping make the near-34,000 square foot recreation facility a reality. The $6 million facility had been more than a decade in the making, facing council debates, outspoken community protests and a series of legal challenges prior to its public unveiling in the summer of 2010.
Thirteen years later, Johnson led the assembled group to shout “Play Ball” when the ribbon was cut on the count of three along the new sports court.
The Recreation Department oversaw the 70’x37’ sports court project using funds from the Sub-Division Recreation Fund and the Recreation Facility Capital budget.
The Department of Public Works prepared the site and paved the court, and the Department of Public Safety’s traffic division painted lines on the court.
“The completion of this sport court is part of the Mayor’s Office initiatives to bring more opportunities for recreation to our community,” current city Mayor Ron Kim said, in a statement.
The 2023 Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest was held this past Saturday, Sept. 23. In it’s 8th annual year, The Giant Pumpkinfest takes place in conjunction with the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, kicking-off the fall season by celebrating and supporting our region’s farmers and harvest. This year we saw several pumpkins top over 1,500 pounds during the Pumpkinfest weigh-off. Congratulations to all growers who participated.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 11th Bug’s Boston Terrier Parade will take place Sunday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs. All donations benefit Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Loughberry Road residents spent last Saturday morning, Sept. 16, eliminating invasive killer vines from trees and shrubbery along the entrance to the street. At the end of their efforts, over 25 large piles of the dead vines lined the road. The City Public Works employees remove the debris within hours.
Photos provided by Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will present the 2023 Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest on Saturday, September 23 in downtown Saratoga Springs. This free and fun-for-all-ages event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center parking garage.
Growers from all over the state and the Northeast bring the biggest pumpkins from their harvest and compete for the coveted title of “Heaviest Pumpkin of the Year.”
Attendees can view giant pumpkins, some over 1,000 pounds, and watch the official weigh-off, which begins at 11 a.m. The festival will include fall activities as well as food and beverage vendors, and is located near the Saratoga Farmers’ Market at High Rock Park.
“We’re excited to host this family-friendly event as a kick-off to Saratoga County’s fall season of promotions for local farms and our agricultural sector,” said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus in the release. “It’s hard to explain how large and heavy these giant pumpkins are until you see them, so our hope is that we will have many returning guests as well as first-time event attendees curious to see what the fuss is all about.”
For more information visit saratoga.org/tourism/giant-pumpkin-fest and follow the event on Facebook.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Senior Center’s new space at 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs was unveiled Sept. 12 with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Adjacent to the Saratoga Branch of the YMCA, the space covers more than 14,000 square feet, and will allow for increased programming for Seniors in Saratoga County.
The Dake Family and Stewarts Shops made a $3 million charitable gift that will allow the Saratoga Senior Center to co-exist on the Saratoga YMCA campus rent-free for 30 years.
“The seniors in our community are the backbone of what makes Saratoga such a great place to live, raise families and age,” says Lois Celeste, Executive Director. “We offer everything from dinners and trips to art classes, technology assistance, exercise classes, support for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s families, as well as a comfortable community center to socialize, make new friends and stay active. We encourage everyone to come and see what we do, try a new class or take a local or long-distance trip.”
Donations to the Saratoga Senior Center can be made online at saratogaseniorcenter.org/donate or by mailing a check to the center at 290 West Ave. Suite 1, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information about the Saratoga Senior Center or to volunteer visit www.saratogaseniorcenter.org or call 518-584-1621.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 4th Annual Front Porch Music Fest – an event featuring musicians performing on 15 front porches on Spring Street – takes place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.
Artists sharing their musical gifts include: Tim Wechgelaer; Juniper; Ragged Company; Marty Brown; Edward King Duo; Curley Lamb; Ray Giguere & Dave Scheffel; Will Capuano; Rick Surferboy & Leslie Turner; Maggie Doherty & Katy Dwyer.
Spring Street will be blocked-off from Court Street to Nelson Avenue during the family-friendly event.
Showcase of Homes entry by DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders. Photo by Randall Perry Photography.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Tickets for the area’s premiere new home tour, the 2023 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, are now on sale. This event is now celebrating 27 Years of exceptional homes!
Tickets are available at all Adirondack Trust branch locations, Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa & Queensbury, Saratoga National Bank, Glens Falls National Bank and Roohan Realty on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are always conveniently available at any showcase home during tour hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or can be purchased online at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. As always, each showcase ticket holder will receive a FREE shoe/tote bag at the first home visited!
The 2023 Saratoga Showcase of Homes is being presented over two fall weekends this year on October 7-8 and October 14-15. Tickets are $25 and this year’s edition has 10 locations on display. New this year are two showcase locations in Lake George!
Participating award-winning builders in this year’s event; Belmonte Builders, DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders, DSG Construction and Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, R & M Homes, The BDC Group, Whitbeck Construction and Witt Construction. It’s an incredible line-up of 10 homes from 8 award-winning builders. To view an interactive map and to scan a QR Code of the home locations, directions and much more, please visit the mobile friendly website.
This annual community event has contributed nearly $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS to our local charities. Proceeds from the Saratoga Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (www.rtsaratoga.org) and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties (www.glensfallshabitat.org). For more details on the 2023 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Check us out on FACEBOOK and follow all the updates on this year’s event!
About Saratoga
Builders Association
The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the wellbeing and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. For more information, visit their website at saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-366-0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org
