Skip to main content

 Trunk or Treat Halloween Party

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Join the Brookside Museum on October 25 from 2–4PM to celebrate Halloween at Brookside Museum with our festive Trunk or Treat Halloween Party! 

Kids will enjoy trick-or-treating, a spooky story time, and a scavenger hunt learning activity with historical twists. Children can also take part in Halloween-themed games and crafts, decorate their own pumpkin on site with a small fee for pumpkins, and show off their costumes in a parade beginning at 3:30PM. 

Kids of all ages are welcome to join. Live Halloween music will be provided by the Scotties Quartet, a talented string ensemble from Ballston Spa High School. 

Table Sponsors Wanted. If you are interested in sponsoring a trunk or treat table, please contact Charlene DuBuque at charlene@brooksidemusuem.org. Parental supervision is required. This is a drop-in event. Free admission. Parental supervision is required. Rain date: October 26, 2–4PM

4th Annual Witch Walk Set to Support Witch Walk SOSA Animal Benefit Event in Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The 4th Annual Witch Walk & Dance, an exciting community event blending fun, philanthropy, and Halloween spirit, returns to Saratoga Springs on Saturday, October 18, 2024. Hosted by Witch Walk SOSA (Southern Saratoga), this event will raise crucial funds to support local animal rescue efforts while offering participants a magical day filled with entertainment, costumes, and more.

Participants are encouraged to wear their best witch costumes and join the enchanting walk and dances through downtown Saratoga Springs. The festivities will begin at 37 High Rock Ave, Lower-Level Parking Garage and culminate in a lively celebration featuring local vendors, live performances, and Halloween-themed activities.

“This event has become one of our most anticipated fundraisers,” said Phaedra Stasyshyn, Head Witch of Witch Walk SOSA. “It brings the community together in a fun and creative way to support our mission of helping animals and their people in need across the Saratoga Springs area.”

Event Highlights Include:

• Witch Dancers: Be mesmerized by live performances from local witch dancers, adding a magical touch to the day’s festivities.

• Witches Market: Explore the Witches Market, where local vendors will be selling unique, witch-themed crafts, jewelry, and other magical treasures.

• Local Drink Specials: Participating local establishments will offer exclusive Witch Walk drink specials to celebrate the occasion. Be sure to visit your favorite spots along the route!

• Basket Raffle: Local artisans and donors, organized by The Witch Way Wanderers Dancers, Mackenzie and Rana, will be on-site from 2:00 to 5:00 PM selling raffle tickets. “Witchy” baskets will be raffled off between 2:00 and 4:30 PM in the registration area. Raffle tickets can be purchased during registration.

• Entertainment: The Witch Way Wanderers Dance Troupe will keep the energy high with live performances of “The Witches Dance” thank you to the Wolfshagen Hexenbrut Witch group of Germany throughout the event. The troupe will be dancing around town from 2:00 to 9:00 PM, teaching the dance along the way for others to join in.

Witch Dance Practice Sessions:

Get ready for the big day with Wednesday evening 5-7pm witch dance practices at Ferndell Pavillion in Spa Park:

• October 16th at 5:00 PM at 37 High Rock Avenue, City Center Park. Join in to learn the moves and have some fun before the event!

Ticket Information:

• Wristband/Donation: $25 per person (before 10/15), $30 after.

Wristbands can also be purchased in advance via Venmo or Cash, at the Wednesday dance practices, or on the day of the event at the registration booth.

Tickets are available online at Eventbrite. All proceeds directly support Witch Walk SOSA’s mission to raise funds for animal organizations in the Saratoga Springs area.

Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, this year’s Witch Walk promises a spellbinding day of fun with plenty of opportunities to support a great cause. Don’t miss your chance to dress up, join the fun, and make a difference!

To inquire about participation, donations, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://www.discoversaratoga.org/witch-walk-sosa/ https://witchwalksosa.squarespace.com/ or contact Wylda “Head Witch” at witchwalksosa@gmail.com 

Special Bat Day Taking Place at Wilton Wildlife

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Get ready for Halloween with a bat-themed day of fun at Camp Saratoga on Saturday, October 25. At 11:00 am, a Wilton Wildlife environmental educator will be presenting a Campfire Chat that will focus on all things bats, from the different species found in New York to their unique nocturnal adaptations to their ecological importance. In addition to the discussion, participants will enjoy sitting around the fire for refreshments and s’mores!

To add to the fun, a bat-themed craft will be available in the newly opened Welcome Cabin from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Welcome Cabin is located at 90 Scout Rd, Wilton, NY., and can be accessed from Parking Lot #1.

Registration for the 11:00 am Campfire Chat is required at least one business day in advance. There is no registration necessary for the drop-in bat craft. To register, please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org.

 For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org or follow on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve. 

November 1 Deadline for Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s Annual Photography Show

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Entries are being sought from photographers who enjoy taking pictures of nature for the Annual Wilton Wildlife photography show. This annual show looks for photographs that highlight the beauty and mission of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. 

The entry deadline is November 1, 2025, and up to four entries will be accepted per person.  Prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Best in Show, Best Nature in Winter, Best Nature in Autumn, Best Featuring Education, Best Featuring Conservation, Best Featuring Recreation, Best Animal Shot, Best Wildflower Shot, Best Karner Blue Butterfly, and Best Under 13.

Entries should be submitted via email to info@wiltonpreserve.org with the following information: attached photograph files saved as JPEG, with name, address, phone number, email, title of each submission, and age if under 13. All work should be original and have been taken at the area known as Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.  This year, the winners in each category will be on display in the newly opened Welcome Cabin. In addition, all of the selected photographs will be displayed virtually through an on-line photography gallery. 

For more information, contact Wilton Wildlife’s office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.  For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. Wilton Wildlife’s mission is to provide environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings. 

Reporting for Duty: Saratoga County Gets New Hazmat Truck

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.


The new Hazmat Unit truck passes through a water curtain as it starts it’s career serving Saratoga Springs ( Aidan Cahill)

The Saratoga County Hazmat team is getting an upgrade this week as the county officially unveiled its brand-new Hazmat truck in a wetting down ceremony at the county’s fire training center. 

The new truck was first ordered back in 2023 and expands the capabilities of the County Hazmat team with more equipment space, mobile testing apparatus and command and control equipment. It replaces an older truck that first entered service in 2001. 

“This new Hazmat truck represents a major investment in community safety,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett said. “When hazardous materials are involved, every second matters. This vehicle ensures the Saratoga County Office of Emergency Management, Saratoga Springs Fire Department and the countywide Hazmat team have the right equipment to respond quickly and effectively to protect the public.”

The new truck will be maintained and staffed by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. It will be based out of Station 3 on Henning Road, just east of the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs. 

Mike Stanley, the Fire Coordinator for Saratoga County, said he was grateful to the Board of Supervisors for helping get the project off the ground as well as the numerous responders throughout the county. Stanley said the full team responds about four times a year to hazmat incidents with the majority coming from instances of leaks or accidents in transit. In addition, the Hazmat team also has commanders who help advise local fire departments on what to do when they encounter materials in the field. 

The new truck aids in this mission by allowing the hazmat team to carry all their gear in a single vehicle rather than in a truck with a separate trailer to supplement it, Stanley said. The new truck also includes a new set of spectrometers to help identify the material at the scene and new protective equipment to help keep responders safe. 

“This new vehicle enhances our collective ability to contain and mitigate complexity and safety,” Stanley said.  “It gives our responders the best tools and technology available to protect the life property and the environment of every citizen in Saratoga County. This investment is proof that when career and volunteer, city and county work together, we build a truly resilient system.”

After the remarks, the truck went through it’s “wetting down” ceremony, in which it drove through a curtain of water provided by the Malta Ridge Fire Department. 

As for what’s next, the county hopes to upgrade it’s fire training center in the near future. 

First Annual 5k Raises over $15,000 for Cancer Advocacy

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.


The first runners take off down the trail as the 5k begins. It only took the front runners 15-20 minutes to finish the five kilometer course through the scenic Saratoga Park (Aidan Cahill)

Humans weren’t the only ones participating in the event as several K-9s from the daycare and training school Dog Logic made the trek with their humans. (Aidan Cahill)

Traffic cones, superheroes and all matter of witches and bats could be seen this past weekend in Saratoga Spa State Park. 

They were part of the first annual “Spook Out Cancer” 5k held the morning of Oct. 5.  The event was held to raise money for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network — the nonpartisan political advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. 

Dozens of runners and walkers took to the course, many in costumes ranging from superheroes to cones, witches and everything in between. The course ran through parts of the Saratoga Spa State Park, starting near the Orenda Pavillion, past the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the golf course before turning back on itself and returning to the start/finish line. 

Olivia Mannion, the organizer of the 5k, said that planning for the charity run started back in May after she attended an event by the American Cancer Society which encouraged grass roots activism. Mannion, herself, a survivor of stage four cancer, said she got the idea for the 5k after seeing the impact of a similar one that took place in Vermont. 

Despite this being the first year of the event, the turnout was high. 395 people took part in the event with over $15,000 raised to support the American Cancer Society. 

Mannion said she was excited by the unexpectedly large turnout and said it speaks to the “incredible” community both in terms of participants as well as sponsors who donated items to be raffled off. 

“It’s just so amazing to see everyone come out,” Mannion said. “I’m just so excited to see everyone come together for an important cause.” 

In addition to the run, there was also a costume contest where winners would get a basket donated by sponsors. It wasn’t just humans dressing up either. Several dogs sported costumes and walked with their humans at the event. Mannion joked that although she loved the dog costumes, she hoped humans would receive the prizes as many of them included candy. 

Cancer — the common name for a group of diseases caused by uncontrolled cell growth — was the second leading cause of death in the US behind only heart disease in 2023, according to the CDC. These deaths accounted for nearly 20% of the total number of deaths in the US that year. 

For 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates that over 9 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year with over 600,000 expected to die from the disease.

Mannion highlighted this impact as part of the reason she put on the 5k. 

“Cancer is something that affects every single person,” Mannion said. “Whether you’re a survivor or a caregiver, everyone has a cancer story.” 

Correction: An earlier version of the story listed the amount raised as over $5,000. The actual number was over $15,000.

23rd Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show Rolls into Downtown Ballston Spa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


– The 23rd annual show will take place on Sunday Oct. 12 in Ballston Spa (Courtesy of the BSBPA)
Over 400 entries typically grace the streets of Ballston Spa 

Downtown Ballston Spa will once again rev up with the return of the 23rd Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 9 AM to 4 PM. 

Presented by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA), this beloved community event will transform Front Street into a display of automotive history, featuring hundreds of classic cars, trucks, and—new this year—a limited number of motorcycles.

Each year, the car show attracts more than 400 entries and thousands of visitors to the village, making it one of the region’s most popular fall events. Guests can stroll the show route to admire beautifully restored vehicles, enjoy live music, visit local food, and merchandise vendors, and check out the Kids’ Zone at Old Iron Spring Park. The day will conclude with a trophy presentation recognizing outstanding entries.

“We’re so proud to be bringing this event back for its 23rd year,” said Christine Kernochan, Chairperson of the Car Show Committee. “It’s a day that celebrates not only a love for classic cars, but also the incredible community spirit that makes Ballston Spa such a special place. The show continues to grow every year, thanks to our volunteers, sponsors, and the support of local businesses,” 

Day-of registration for show cars will be available for $25 cash, while motorcycles must pre-register at www.ballston.org  by Thursday, October 9 due to limited space. The event is free for spectators, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, October 19.

This year’s Checkered Flag Sponsors are Mangino Chevrolet Buick GMC, Michael’s Automotive, Ballston Spa National Bank, MJP Heating and Cooling, Pompa Bros, Morris Ford, and Friend of the BSBPA.

For more information about the 23rd Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show, including registration details and event updates, please visit www.ballston.org.

Burn Ban in Effect as Fire Risk Temporally Goes Up

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.


Graphic by Julia Ettkin

While Saratoga residents have had to deal with smoke from the north this past summer, a much closer threat caused concern for state officials leading to a state-wide burn ban. 

The ban came after much of the state saw the fire risk in much of the state raised to high — the third highest wildfire alert level in the state. By Oct. 8, however, this risk had dropped to moderate. The ban also comes at a time when much of New York is under a drought watch with some regions seeing drought warnings.

Under the ban, brush and debris clearing fires as well as uncontained camp and cooking fires were banned, however contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length are allowed. 

“The ongoing nice weather is great for watching fall foliage or gathering with friends, but it also presents a higher risk for fires that put homes, businesses and our brave first responders at risk,” New York Governor Cathy Hochul said. “Many regions are already in a drought watch or warning due to the dry conditions, and with the fire risk rising in some parts of the state, it is important to keep everyone safe by implementing this temporary burn ban.”

In comparison to other states, New York doesn’t see many wildfires. In 2024, New York saw 125 fires resulting in 6,496 acres burned, according to the National Inter Agency Fire Center. This accounted for less than 1 percent of the 64,897 fires in the United States and much less than that in terms of the proportion of acres burned in the US. 

Of the 125 New York fires, only three were caused by lightning, resulting in only an acre being burned, with the rest being caused by humans. 

While fires out west tend to occur in the summer months, wild and brush fires in the northeast tend to occur in the spring and fall, according to the National Wildfire Coordination Group.

 Back in March, a state of emergency was declared in New York due to fires on Long Island which burned 600 acres. Those fires were reportedly caused by someone trying to make smores in their backyard. 

As for current conditions, the governor’s office said in a statement that since August there have been 64 wildfires in New York. 

Business Leader Arrested for Trying to Solicit a Minor

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

A Saratoga County Business Leader has been arrested by the FBI after he allegedly tried to solicit sex from someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl. 

Peter Bardunias, 59 of Clifton Park was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors with attempted enticement of a minor, according to court documents filed on Oct. 7. 

Bardunias was charged after an investigation conducted by the FBI showed that he repeatedly messaged the supposed 15-year-old with violent sexual fantasies and traveled to Warrensburg to meet with the girl. 

Instead of meeting with the girl, however, Bardunias was arrested Oct. 6 by FBI agents who he had been unknowingly communicating with from the start. The investigation began in late September when an FBI agent posing as the 15-year-old first made contact with Bardunias in a private chat room. 

According to court documents, despite learning the age of the supposed girl, he continued to converse with the supposed girl and expressed his desire to meet with her and told her that he wanted to “strangle” and “torture” the girl — among other sexually charged and violent messages. 

“I want to see you scream and be in pain, I want you to struggle but its too late and cant get free….nobody will ever find you, Princess,” Bardunias is alleged to have said in one of the messages. 

While Bardunias tried to claim to agents that he had no intention of carrying out the acts, court documents claim the evidence says otherwise. 

“Based on my training and experience, I know that individuals who travel long distances to meet with someone they believe to be a minor often claim under questioning that they were not serious about their sexual desires, even when those desires have been previously expressed in writing,” an FBI agent wrote in the federal complaint. 

In addition to the messages, agents found a candy bar he allegedly planned to give to the 15-year-old as well as other items he allegedly said he would bring to the meeting. A later search of his home found items consistent with the message he had sent the undercover agent including items to build a “torture chamber,” which included restraints and a knife. 

According to the complaint, Bardunias admitted these items were his. 

“As alleged in the federal criminal complaint filed today, Peter Bardunias attempted to engage in what can only be described as heinous, unspeakable, and violent actions against a minor,” Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. “I am thankful that the FBI intervened to ensure that he was unable to follow through in any of this horrific activity with a real minor, and our community is safer tonight because Bardunias is behind bars.”

Pamela Bondi, current U.S. Attorney General said the case highlighted the need for parents to be vigilant regarding what their kids do online. 

“Parents need to be hyper-aware of conversations their children are having via text or online — predators often lurk behind screens,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct towards an innocent child.”

Bardunias is local businesses leader in the Capital Region. Prior to his arrest he served as Senior Vice President for Community Advancement with the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce — an organization he’d been with for over five years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he served as president of one of its affiliate organizations, the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County for over 8 years. 

In response to his arrest, the Chamber put out a statement to media acknowledging it and offering no further comment. 

“The Capital Region Chamber is aware that Peter Bardinuas has been taken into custody. He has been placed on unpaid suspension pending investigation,” the statement read “At this time the Chamber will not be making any additional comments on this investigation.”

If convicted, Bardunias potentially faces life in prison with a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a supervised release period of at least five years.

Purely Pendenza: An Exclusive First Look at Pendenza Wine’s Portfolio

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Bocage Champagne Bar is proud to present Purely Pendenza, an unprecedented tasting event hosted by Pendenza Wine founder Megan Anderson, a former colleague of Bocage co-owner Zac Denham from NYC’s Casa Dani. This one-day-only experience offers wine lovers the rare opportunity to explore Pendenza’s groundbreaking portfolio — featuring 15 remarkable wines from Slovenia, Lebanon, Syria and beyond — many of which are debuting in the United States for the very first time.

“Be the first to try some of these special wines,” says Anderson, Pendenza’s co-founder. “I’ve traveled to most of these countries myself and chosen fantastic fine wines from family-owned vineyards that have never been served in the States.”

 Among the most special? A wine by Domaine de Bargylus, in war-torn Syria. Raved about in USA Today (“Amid bombs in bullets in Syria, a vineyard blooms”), and all the rage in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, the fine wine is now being served in the U.S. for the first time, in Houston, and Anderson is bringing it to upstate New York for the very first time.

 “This is an extraordinary chance for our community to taste selections from markets rarely seen stateside,” says Denham. “This event marks a major milestone in Bocage’s tradition of bringing the world’s most distinctive wines to Saratoga Springs.”

Reserve your spot now: https://www.bocagechampagnebar.com/store/events/