How to resolve AdBlock issue? Saratoga’s All-American Celebration: Three Days of “Happy Birthday USA”
SARATOGA SPRINGS – What makes a great Fourth of July?
Whatever your answer, Saratoga’s All-American Celebration has you covered. There’s so much to do, it’s hard to fathom how you will get to it all. Fortunately, the organizers have centralized the activities, primarily in and around Congress Park and along Broadway from Van Dam Street to the Holiday Inn.
The exception to this, of course, is the Firecracker4 road race, which by its nature will be all over the place. See a preview article about the race on page 28.
So, what are your key ingredients to a great Fourth?
Fireworks? There’s no more magically incendiary name in these parts than Alonzo, who will be blasting off on schedule at 9:30 p.m., accompanied by full John Phillip Sousa soundtrack regalia.
Food? The Seventh-Annual All-American BBQ & Dessert Fest will sport no less than 17 participants (plus two doggie-Q vendors) competing for your culinary affection (and votes).
Music? How about the best in the business at the top of their game? That would be The Audiostars, ladies and gents.
History? Publisher Beatty’s favorite subject (see page 8) is covered in spades. From General Burgoyne and a Declaration of Independence reading, from gangsters to classic cars to historical tours, ours is a town that always looks back as a springboard to looking forward.
Here’s a wild card: How about no tax dollars spent? Yes, kudos to Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, Inc. It is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 organization composed entirely of volunteers; dedicated to bringing family fun and patriotic pride to residents and visitors. They proudly state in their mission statement that they are not affiliated with nor funded by the City of Saratoga Springs.
Now that’s a category of independence we can all get behind. So happy birthday USA! Here’s the schedule of events. Detailed descriptions, map and more information is at SaratogaJuly4th.com.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 3
Saratoga Springs History Museum Exhibit Grand Opening "Vice"
6 to 8 p.m.
Canfield Casino, Congress Park
Fireside Chat with “General Burgoyne”
Thursday, July 3
7 to 8 p.m.
Bookmaker’s Fireplace Patio at the Holiday Inn
Friday, July 4
Firecracker4 Road Race
(See page 28 for preview)
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Broadway in front of the City Center
All-American Parade & Patriotic Pooches
11 to 11:30 a.m.
Broadway from Van Dam Street to Spring Street
Family Day in Congress Park
11a.m. to 3 p.m.
Congress Park
Parade Characters Family Photo-Op
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Congress Park at the Carousel
Seventh-Annual All-American BBQ & Dessert Fest
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Various locations throughout downtown and outside the Holiday Inn
Each tasting is $1, paid to each participant on location.
Vote for your favorites and get a commemorative T-Shirt for only $10 when you turn in your stamped ballot at the Ballot Turn-in Tent in Congress Park.
Participants:
Around the Corner/Dolce Cafe
Grasso's Italian Ice
Park Side Eatery
Backstretch BBQ
Hampton Inn & Suites Saratoga
The Parting Glass
Bookmakers at the Holiday Inn
Hattie’s
Plum Dandy Cookies & Milk
Henry Street Taproom
Saratoga Olive Oil Company
Fifty South Restaurant
Saratoga Salsa & Spice Company
Gaffney's
Kilwins
Seven Horse Pub
The Merry Monk
Dawgdom (Doggie BBQ)
Impressions (Doggie BBQ)
All-American Classic Car Show
Noon to 4 p.m.
Congress Park Plaza
Historic City Tour
Congress Park: Statues and Stories
1:00pm to 2:30pm
Meet at the Congress Spring Pavilion in Congress Park
Family Time in Saratoga
4 to 6:30 p.m.
Party in the Park
with the Audiostars
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Congress Park
Live Reading of the Declaration of Independence
9:15 p.m.
Congress Park
Fireworks / Patriotic Music
Sponsored by
Saratoga Casino & Raceway
9:30 p.m.
Congress Park
Saturday, July 5
Closing Ceremony
BBQ & Dessert Fest Winners
Awards Presentation
Noon
Congress Park
