Chocolate Fest
The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association is excited to announce our 8th Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest, on Friday, February 3 from 4 -8 p.m. We are currently announcing sponsorship opportunities as well as a call for Chocolate Chef entries. Area restaurants, bakeries, and chefs are all welcome to compete to showcase their talents and tastes by preparing small, sample-sized chocolate offerings in 3 categories: Dessert (Sweet), Savory, and Chocolate Beverage. These treats will be judged by Chocolate-fest goers. While savoring chocolate treats, visitors will enjoy a variety of First Friday activities going on throughout the Village, including live music, artist demonstrations and special promotions just in time for Valentine’s Day. A complete list of events can be found at Ballston.org.
Free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP Foundation will provide free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program at the Ballston Spa Public Library every Friday, February 3 - April 14. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified to ensure they understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. Tax-Aide will provide taxpayer assistance through interaction with IRS-certified Tax-Aide volunteers in two short same day, in-person meetings to exchange documents. For more information including what type of service is available, which documents you need to file your taxes, and to schedule your appointments stop in or call 518-885-5022. Appointments required. The library is located at 21 Milton Avenue (Rt. 50) with its parking lot behind the building on Low Street.
24th Annual Chowderfest
Discover Saratoga is excited to announce the 24th Annual Chowderfest, one of the area’s most highly anticipated events of the year. This fun, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event goers will have the opportunity to enjoy 4 oz. samples of chowder for $2 at participating Saratoga County establishments and vote for their favorite. This event is coordinated by Discover Saratoga and presented by Saranac and White Claw. Free shuttles to downtown Saratoga Springs will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Saratoga Casino Hotel. For more information, including a list of participating chowder vendors and discounted hotel rates, please visit discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest or call 518-584-1531.
Poetry Workshop: The Creative Fire of Folklore
On Saturday, February 4 and 11 at 11 a.m., published poet Susan Comninos will discuss and employ techniques for incorporating elements of your community’s folklore into identity-based poems that can function as your “origin stories.” Come prepared to try your hand at techniques for folding family sayings, stories, and more into poetry that’s at once individual and universal. This event is funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Mid-Winter Lights Festival
Everyone is invited to join us on Saturday February 4 to Brighten the Night in the Saratoga Springs Arts District at Beekman Street. Drop-in lantern-making, suitable for all ages, starts at 4 p.m. at CREATE Community Studios, 70-B Beekman Street; materials provided. At 5 p.m., we’ll take a lantern-lit guided stroll through the neighborhood. (Note: We will be using battery operated candles; no open flames allowed.) We’ll make stops at a couple of historic locations. There will be a bit of music, including sing-along songs. There may even be some dancing! We’ll return to the start for the closing ceremony. For more information, call Frank Lombardo 518-290-0494.
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Countdown to the Triple Crown
This new event on Saturday, February 4, will feature hundreds of silent auction items and an online auction of unique items and experience packages to benefit the Museum. Guests can attend the event in person from 5 to 8 p.m. or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event will feature beer, wine, soda, light refreshments, and entertainment by Rich Ortiz, as well as screenings of the 16-minute signature film “What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame” at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $10 for Museum members and $25 for non-members. Many of the auction items will be displayed throughout the Museum galleries during the event. To purchase tickets, call 518-584-0400 or visit: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Countdown-to-the-Triple-Crown
Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk
To be held on Sunday, February 5 at 11 a.m. in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Winterfest will be held outdoors opposite the Administration Building. Bathrooms in Wired Coffee Shop. Camp Saratoga 8k Snowshoe Race will be held on Saturday, February 11 at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 10:30 a.m. May have an indoor facility for this one depending on COVID. It there is no snow, and is at all possible, we may have a trail race instead. Go to www.saratogastryders.org to download an application or link to online registration at www.runsignup.com. A limited supply of Dion Snowshoes will be available at a $5 rental charge. Email Laura Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a pair or phone 518-581-1278. For information about the entire Dion Snowshoe Series and for snow updates visit www.dionwmacsnowshoe.com
Cabaret Dinner Theater: 100 Years of Broadway
Join us for our 2023 Cabaret, celebrating 100 Yeas of Broadway. Tickets include a delicious Chef’s Buffet while listening to the wonderful music of Broadway. Saturday, February 11 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m. at the Vista Ballroom, Van Patten Golf Club, 924 Main Street, Clifton Park. For tickets or more information go to www.saratogavoices.org/events or call 518-416-4060.
Annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance
The Saratoga/Wilton Elks Ladies Auxiliary is holding the dance on Saturday, February 11 at the Elks Lodge, 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs. The Band GRAVITY will be our entertainment. Cocktails/appetizers 6-7 p.m., dinner 7 p.m., and entertainment 9 p.m. - midnight. The raffles will benefit Foreverly House (Veterans Community Housing Coalition Home for Female Veterans with Children}. Entree choices are Prime Rib, Stuffed Chicken, and Spinach Lasagna; served with roasted potatoes, tossed salad, roll, and green beans. Dessert is a cupcake tower with a variety of flavors. Cost: $45 per person. Reservations are first come first serve with seating limited. RSVP: Sandy Hennigan 518-232-4049 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with entrée choice, number of guests and method of payment. Checks made out to the Ladies Auxiliary or cash are preferred.
New York Grown and Certified Workshop
Join Schoharie County Office for Agricultural Development, Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (MVEDD), and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets on February 15 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for the workshop. It will include information addressing the process to apply, benefits of certification, exclusive grant, and marketing opportunities, and more. The program offers opportunities for traditional dairy, livestock, and produce farms, but also for less conventional producers (fresh cut flowers, maple, honey, firewood, craft beverage ingredients, craft beverage production and more). Applications available at https://certified.ny.gov/get-certified. Early registration is encouraged. A light lunch will be provided for those who attend in person. You can attend via Zoom or join us in person at 287 Main St, Schoharie.
February Break Drama Camp with Elyse Young
Town of Malta Parks and Recreation Department announces February Break Drama Camp for ages 10-15 will run Tuesday, February 21 through Friday, February 24 from10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The camp will be taught by Malta’s Artistic Director Elyse Young and will include acting skills, vocal techniques, theater games, crafts, rehearsals and performance of a short play. Camp and performance will take place at the Malta Community Center, One Bayberry Drive, Malta. For more information, go online to www.maltaparksrec.com or contact Town of Malta Parks and Recreation Department at 518-899-4411.
A Winter Concert: Return of the Duos
Saratoga Chamber Players is pleased to announce a winter concert on Saturday February 25, at 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, in Saratoga Springs. The program will bring together Jill Levy, violinist, and Artistic Director, with Margaret Kampmeier, pianist. With music spanning four centuries, treat yourself to the Classical sweetness of Franz Schubert, the contemporary Turkish delight of Kamran Ince, the modern French birdsongs of Olivier Messiaen and the passionate, modern inventiveness of Richard Strauss. Tickets are $20-$30, available at the door or on the website.
For more information visit www.saratogachamberplayers.org
Southern Saratoga Art Society Exhibits
Artists and members are exhibiting during January and February. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady is hosting three artists, William Daisak, Karen Zimmer, and Carol Winterton. The Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Commons Ct., Clifton Park will be hosting “The Two Vals”, Valerie Woodward and Valerie Wolf, featuring an eclectic mix of artwork and use of vibrant colors in landscapes, still-life, paint pouring, realism to abstract, The Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main Street, Mechanicville will feature artist Barbara Hurley. Barbara paints in acrylics, oils and watercolors. Barbara will donate proceeds from sales to the Round Lake Methodist Church. For further information, visit: southernsaratogaartist.com or check us out on facebook.
