Turning Point Parade and Festival: Aug. 3-4

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 25th annual Turning Point Parade and Festival in Schuylerville will be held this weekend, Saturday Aug. 3 Sunday and 4, at Fort Hardy Park with Grand Marshalls Sean and Debbie Kelleher and their family and the theme “In the Footprints of History.”

The festival on Saturday will have a variety of events for both kids and adults going throughout the day, including the likes of a bouncy house, human foosball, a horse show and an open bar.

The park will open at 3 p.m., live entertainment begins at 4:45 p.m. and the festivities will go until a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m., with the event fully concluding for the day at 11 p.m.

The parade will take place the following day at Spring and Broad Streets and will contain over 100 individual unit and over 12 musical groups. The parade is projected to last 90 minutes, go for approximately one mile and end near the Schuyler House.

The celebration is in memory of the turning point of the American Revolutionary War at the end of the Battle of Saratoga. At the time, the British forces were down around 25% of their total manpower, and took refuge in a fortified camp in modern Schuylerville. The encroaching American army surrounded them, and they surrendered.

The American victory led to the French joining the American side of the Revolution, which in turn turned the tide of the war in America’s favor, hence why the Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point of the Revolution. Over time, the parade evolved and transformed to pay respect to the service people in all eras and conflicts, and now also pays tribute to the volunteers assisting with fire and rescue missions.

Turning Point Parade and Festival Full Schedule:

SATURDAY, AUG. 3

Free face painting and pony rides, Argyle and Adirondack Breweries and Saratoga Apple Cider (available with proper ID), Bouncy house rides by DJB Northeast Inflatables, Irish Laser Tag, Human Foosball

For more information, visit www.turningpointparade.com.