August, 26 – September, 1 2016

Friday, August 26 History, Legends, Lore and More Guided Walking Tour Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 10:30 – Noon A 90-minute walking tour that concentrates on historic Congress Park and the colorful characters who helped make Saratoga what it is! This guided tour of legends and lore will walk you through history while sipping the famous mineral waters and strolling through the Victorian Congress park. Cost is $8 for adults, children under 12 are free. Tours are held Monday – Saturday through August. September and October tours will be Saturday only. For more information, call (518) 587-3241. Saturday, August 27 Walk with Compassion Capital Region Halfmoon Town Hall, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza, Halfmoon, 9:30 a.m. Walk with Compassion is the walk to end child poverty. Compassion International’s new fundraising walk series, Walk with Compassion, was created to address the challenges of vulnerable children around the world that go beyond what monthly sponsorship covers. The money we raise together helps to fund critical needs such as: medical emergencies, disaster relief, HIV/AIDS response, caring for unsponsored children, clean water, and much more. For more information, visit www.walkwithcompassion.com. Summer Craft and Food Festival Adirondack Folk School, 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dozens of craft and food vendors are expected, and Mac Petrequin will play his signature blue grass music from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.adirondackfolkschool.org. A Call to Artists and Artisans Grant Cottage, 100 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Friends of U.S. Grant Cottage Historic Site invite artists to participate in a one day “Plein Air” painting event. Artists are invited to bring their easels and painting supplies to set up anywhere on the grounds to paint the historic site and its landmark landscape and panoramic views. The event is free to artist. Paintings will be auctioned off at the Fine Arts Festival on September 18 to benefit Grant’s Cottage (50/50 percentage rate). Music will be provided by the Lost Rounders, “Politics and Patriots” starting at 1 p.m. For more information or to register contact Bev at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (518) 793-9350. “Politics and Patriots” with the Lost Radio Rounders Grant Cottage, 100 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton, 1 p.m. Before there were political attack ads, there were attack songs! For this 2016 Presidential election season acoustic duo Lost Radio Rounders have created the perfect musical/historical program. “Politics & Patriots” blends harmony, history and humor to both inform and entertain. From our nation’s earliest campaigns to the days of F.D.R., politicians created “songsters,” booklets of lyrics promoting themselves and tearing down their opponents. These lyrics were set to the melodies of classic folk songs or popular tunes of the day. “Oh Susanna,” “Auld Lang Syne,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and many others lent their melodies to a candidate. “Politics & Patriots” shows that issues such as suffrage, abolition, and prohibition were also addressed in song. For more information, visit www.grantcottage.org. Sunday, August 28 Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Summer Stroll: Saratoga’s Historic Westside South Franklin Street (Gideon Putnam Cemetery Entrance), 10:30 a.m. Stroll leader Susan Brooks will lead guests through the restored historic West Side, also known as Little Dublin. Guests will learn about Saratoga’s Irish and Italian immigrants who helped shape the history of this unique district. The stroll will last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Evening Vespers Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. Join us on the lawn for an al fresco worship experience of prayers and music, Sunday evenings in August. This is a casual service, so please come as you are. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Visitors welcome. For information, call (518) 584-6091. Monday, August 29 Writer’s Spring Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs, 6 p.m. This is a writer’s group for authors of any form. If you’ve been looking for other writers to chat with, get feedback on your writing, or just a place full of creative energy to help inspire you, join us for a discussion on our craft. Tuesday, August 30 “How Can We Do This Better?” National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, 191 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, 11 a.m. A discussion with trainer Gary Contessa. One of the top trainers on the NYRA circuit will lead a discussion with audience members on ways to improve the sport of thoroughbred racing. Free with Museum Admission. Summer Concert Series in Congress Park: Cryin’ Out Loud Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. With an energizing live show that features five dynamic vocalists, a fluid rhythm section, and a hot three-piece horn section, Cryin’ Out Loud will definitely make your event one to remember. During a live performance you can feel their energy inspire the crowd, taking listeners on a musical journey that encompasses the greatest hits of Pop, RnB, Country, Disco, Motown and Classic Rock. Wednesday, August 31 Ready for School Party Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 11 a.m. Join us for a morning party, just for children about to start school for the first time. Authors Deirdre Sullivan and Linda Marshall will share their comforting picture books about the start of school, and local teachers will be on hand to share a craft project and talk about a typical school day. We’ll also offer a special discount on school supplies and other back to school items. For more information and other events visit www.northshire.com. Bicycle Tour Saratoga National Historic Park, Route 4 and State Route 32, Stillwater, 6 – 8 p.m. A free, ranger guided 5 mile bike tour of Saratoga Battlefield. Meet in the parking lot. In case of inclement weather, bike tour will be cancelled. Bring your bike, water, and insect repellent. Helmets required. For more information, call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985. Around the World: A Multicultural Arts Program Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry Street Schuylerville, 6 p.m. Families will hear some fascinating stories from Native American storyteller, Jim Bruchac, who is always a crowd-pleaser. Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. For more information, visit www.schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu. FANs of Ballston Spa Kelley Park, Ballston Spa, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. We’ll have a fun family-centered activity followed by free Stewart’s ice cream for all. Surrounded by a walking trail, dog park, creek and village pool, Kelley Park has a lot to offer. Our event will last for about 45 minutes, but bring suits for swimming beforehand (only $2 per person if not a registered member) at the pool. We will be holding various activities from crafts to kickball to kites. Thursday, September 1 Adirondack Chapter 60, Korean War Veterans Association Meeting VFW Home, Veterans’ Way, Saratoga Springs, 1:30 p.m. Veterans who served anywhere during the Korean War or in Korea at any time, spouses, widows and friends are all invited to attend. For further information or to obtain an application to join the association, are asked to call Comm. Roger Calkins at (518) 584-3037. Barber Shop on Broadway Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6:30 – 9 p.m. The award-winning Racing City Chorus will present its seventh season of strolling a cappella performances of standards, pop songs and patriotic numbers on the sidewalks of downtown Saratoga Springs during the thoroughbred race meet.