A passionate lover And a sworn nemesis. Love to see her come, Hate to watch her leave. Ponies win and lose. Money comes and goes… …But mostly, it just goes. Whether hobnobbing with the suits, Or slumming with the scabs, We’re here for the same things, really – Mostly thrills and laughs. And when the party’s over, Back to the Bluegrass I go. See you next year; next summer, My lovely friend and foe.
About John: A native of Lexington, KY, John F. Cox has been traveling to Saratoga Springs, NY for the August Fasig-Tipton sales and race meet since he was a child. He formerly worked as a staff writer for Churchill Downs and a brand ambassador for America’s Best Racing, authoring several racing articles in various digital and print publications. Cox currently serves as Public Affairs Manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in Frankfort, KY.
Saratoga Springs — CCE Equine is hosting a free Horse Farm tour on Sunday, August 22.The community is invited for a drive- it-yourself tour of select horse farms around the county from 12- 4 p.m. Meet some of the farm owners and horses that make the Saratoga area so unique.
The Horse Farm Tour is fun and educational for the whole family and a perfect way to spend a Sunday-Fun-Day.Horse lovers and families will meet the different breeds of horses and get a behind the scenes look at the horses that are frequently our neighbors here in Saratoga County. A variety of equine businesses and farms are offered to tour in order to promote the diversity found in the equine industry. The horse farms included on the tour are: Cross Timbers Ranch of Middle Grove, Mill Creek Farm of Stillwater and Stark Racing Stables of Saratoga. Only 50 years ago there were more than 1,800 farms in Saratoga County. Today approximately 650 farms (one-third as many) are in operation. Saratoga County is the permanent home to approximately 4,200 horses.
This event is sponsored by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. They are partnering with CCE Equine to create transparency between the farming community and the public-at-large.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saturday Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market is relocating to Wiswall Park on Front Street in downtown Ballston Spa, starting Saturday, Aug. 7. Market hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The market was previously set up on the grounds of the historic Brookside Museum, located at 6 Charlton St. The move will bring the market back to its original home in the center of the business district.
The Thursday afternoon Farmers’ Market, open 3-6 p.m., will remain at Brookside Museum. Both markets will be open through the end of September, offering fresh produce and farm products from local family farms, along with baked and crafted goods, spices and pet treats.
Updates on what is new at the markets throughout the season can be found on the Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market Facebook page.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) has announced plans for the 19th Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show to be held Sunday, Oct. 10 on Front Street.
“We are delighted to be back together again in downtown Ballston Spa after having to go virtual last year due to Covid,” said Donna Dardaris of the BSBPA who serves on the car show’s leadership team. “We invite the public to come stroll our historic village, check out the hundreds of cars and trucks on display, and enjoy the live music, vendors and downtown businesses. It’s a great day for the whole family.”
Front Street will be blocked off from Milton Avenue past the Old Iron Springs to accommodate car exhibits and vendors. In addition to food and merchandise vendors, the show will again feature a “Kids Zone,” located by the Old Iron Springs, which will feature free children’s activities.
The car show is a judged event and several trophies will be awarded. The event is free to spectators.Exhibitors can pre-register by Sept. 30, for $15 per car or $20 the day of show. All proceeds will benefit BSBPA community activities. Dash plaques will be given to the first 400 cars registered and the first 200 cars registered will receive car show goodie bags. Pre-registration can be completed online at www.ballston.org.A printable, mail in registration form is also available on the website.Sponsorship and vendor opportunities for the event can be found at ballston.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Racing City Chorus, with their A Cappella “Barbershop-style” singing, performs consecutive Thursday evenings on Broadway through Aug. 26.
The Racing City Chorus is a men’s singing organization that meets regularly to practice, perform, socialize, and have fun. They currently have over 25 singers from all walks of life and all parts of the Saratoga Springs/Capital Region.For more information, visitracingcitychorus.org or call 518-504-7464.
Performances are Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. as follows:7 p.m. The Scott Varley Team at Keller Williams; 7:45 p.m. Union Hall Supply Co.; 8:30 p.m. Stewart’s Shops (Aug. 5: across from the City Center. Aug. 19: Woodlawn Ave.); 8:30 p.m. Adirondack Trust Company (Aug. 12, Aug. 26).
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Sisters Joan Rothe Wilson (left) and Jacqueline Rothe Nagel celebrated their 90th birthday on July 21.The two women, along with their late sister Jayne Rothe Bobinis, were the first set of triplets to be born in Saratoga Hospital, and later the first set of Triplets to graduate Saratoga Springs High School.The pair celebrated the milestone with family in Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — At the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Annual Meeting in September, the Foundation will recognize individuals and organizations who have invested significant time and money to undertake preservation projects in the past year.The Preservation Recognition Awards celebrate the winners’ hard work and commitment to being good stewards of their property with members of the community and friends of the Foundation.
The Foundation seeks nominations for projects that reflect a dedication to preserving, developing, and reusing historic buildings and landscapes. Those nominated may be individuals, organizations, businesses, or community representatives. Nominations will be assessed by the Awards Committee according to the following criteria: project design sensitivity to the historic character and environment of the property; project execution represents appropriate techniques and preservation practice; degree of difficulty faced and appropriateness of solutions were applied.
The nominated project must be located in the City of Saratoga Springs, but does not have to be located in a historic district. Buildings must be 50 years or older and projects can range from small, removal of vinyl siding or restoring original wood windows, to large, an entire building rehabilitation or adaptive-reuse. Additions to historic buildings and new in-fill construction can also be nominated. All projects must have been completed within the past year.
To nominate a project or ask any questions about the awards please contact Nicole Babie, MembershipandPrograms Director, at nbabie@saratogapreservation.org. Please submit nominations by Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 and include in the email the address of the project; a description of the work completed; and, if possible, name of the property owner and photographs. Nominations can also be submitted electronically at www.saratogapreservation.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Prestwick Chase knitting group stuffed, sewed and tied ribbons on breast cancer pillows that were provided by the Bacon Hill Reformed Church Ladies. The pillows will be delivered to the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center at Saratoga Hospital for cancer patients. Every other week the ladies of Prestwick Chase work on pillows to provide the patients at Saratoga Hospital with recovery pillows.
SARATOGA SPRINGS— The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association’s (SFMA) Saturday market has returned to its traditional summer home at the High Rock Park pavilions. Through the end of October, the SFMA will now host two weekly markets in the downtown location: Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This year’s Saturday market features around 60 local vendors selling fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, meats, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, and more. At Wednesday’s market, just over 15 vendors provide a similar range of items.
The decision to start the summer season in two locations in May was made to keep market vendors and customers safe while the COVID-19 pandemic required more social distancing. The smaller Wednesday market fit comfortably at High Rock Park, but for the larger Saturday market a more expansive footprint was still needed. Now that restrictions have been lifted, both markets are able to return to the pavilions – with increased spacing where possible to ease customer flow.
For more information visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org.
