SARATOGA COUNTY – The Saratoga Regional YMCA and Saratoga non-profit Bikeatoga have teamed up to sponsor an autumn getaway known as Saratoga Foliage Ride, Oct. 7-8.

The event will feature some of Saratoga county’s most scenic routes at the most beautiful time of the year. Along the way, riders will see history and horse farms, pumpkins, cider donuts and more. 

All participants will receive a buffet breakfast, a commemorative t-shirt and a day pass to the YMCA facility on West Avenue. 

Riders can choose one of three routes each day – 30, 50, and 75 miles. 

Saturday’s rides will visit the Saratoga Battle Monument and cyclists on the 50- and 75-mile routes will ride to the Saratoga National Historical Park, traveling through the very fields where American forces first defeated the British army.

For more information and to register, sponsor or volunteer, visit www.srymca.org/Saratoga-foliage-ride.

QUEENSBURY — The Adirondack Balloon Festival is back Sept. 20-24 for its 50th anniversary celebration. 

The event, the third largest in the nation according to organizers, will take place in multiple locations. 

“We are very proud that the event is 100% free for the community to enjoy,” said Erin Reid Coker, an event organizer and member of the Board of Directors.

The organizing committee has been planning for the event for the past several years. 

Events kick-off with a 50th anniversary cocktail reception and moonglow event at Hiland Park Country Club in Queensbury, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, Sept. 20. Tickets, at $40/per person, are available via the festival website: www.adirondackballoonfest.org. 

At 4 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 21, an Opening Parade will take place from Downtown Glens Falls to Crandall Park, and Opening Ceremonies will take place at 5 p.m. featuring the inflation of the 50th anniversary special shape birthday cake balloon, and the inflation and launch of 10 balloons. 

The flight of more than 70 balloons launches Friday Sept. 22 at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, Queensbury. 

For a full schedule of events, go to: www.adirondackballoonfest.org. 

QUEENSBURY —West Mountain hosts a new Endless Summer Promotion on Saturday, Aug. 26 that includes free Scenic Chairlift Rides from 9 a.m.-3 pm.

Additionally, Aerial (High Ropes) Adventure, Mountain Biking, Mountain Bike Rentals, and Mountaintop Picnics are being offered at $15. Live music and vendors will also be available. 

Tickets are available to buy in advance at westmountain.com or by phone by calling 518-636-3699 ext 0.

For a full slate of activities, visit: www.WestMountain.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts hosts a celebration of the opening of its brand new printshop 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Additionally, a community mural – the painting of a giant paint-by-numbers mural is taking place at the center through Sept. 1. Interested participants may reserve a time slot to paint a section of the mural.

Saratoga Arts is located at 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Call 518-584-4132, or go to: saratoga-arts.org. 

WILTON — Climb an authentic fire tower without having to climb a mountain. 

Get a treetop view of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and visit a re-created fire ranger cabin complete with a vegetable garden. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekend of Aug. 19- 20. 

Parking for the historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower is in Parking lot #3 on Scout Road. Children under the age of five are not permitted to climb the fire tower. The Historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower is owned and maintained by the Town of Wilton and is staffed by volunteers on behalf of the Town.

For more information, contact the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org.  

More than 300 people attended and over $50,000 was raised at the Toast to the TaTa’s Wine Tasting fundraiser on Aug. 1, with proceeds benefitting ToLife & Michele Charlton. 

Greenfield — Happy Birthday to Greenfield resident Russell Ormsbee. In honor of his 100th birthday July 22, 2023, he received a visit from Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch and Town Clerk Karen Dowen, who officially presented him with a proclamation from the Greenfield Town Board. Ormsbee, whose family has deep roots in our Town’s history dating back to  1796, served in the U.S. AirCore in World War II as a flight engineer on a c54 Cargo plane responsible for evacuating injured soldiers from Hawaii. He also was employed by the International Paper Co. for more than 39 years and has been an involved community member. He also has been an avid musician, having once played on live television and at the Grand Ole Opry.

WILTON — The Saratoga Springs Rotary Club held its annual installation dinner on June 26 at the Wishing Well, where outgoing president, Stephen Kyne presented awards to two members who this past fiscal year best represented the Rotary Motto of “Service Above Self.” 

Marisa Flynn was recognized as the Rookie of the Year for her work in marketing the organization’s service activities including the annual Home Show. Board of Director’s member Mary Lou Wheeler was singled out as the Rotarian of the Year for her work as chair of the Home Show held at the City Center in March. 

Nearly $60,000 raised by the event will be used to support local not-for-profit organizations and scholarships in the Saratoga Springs Community.