Friday, June 29
History, Legends, Lore and More Guided Walking Tour
Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center,
297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
10:30 a.m. – Noon
This 90-minute historical walking tour celebrates Saratoga’s Victorian era and the classic Victorian stroll. Join us as we stroll through Congress Park, take the waters and hear the stories of our most colorful characters, beloved monuments and treasured artwork. This tour is a family-friendly and educational event with something for first-time visitors and Saratoga natives alike. The cost is $8 per person, and children under 12 are free. Reservations are not required. For more information, contact the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at 518-587-3241. Rain or shine.
Jumpin’ Jacks Fireworks and Water Ski Show
5 Schonowee Avenue, Scotia
6 – 9 p.m.
The festivities will include: 7 p.m. water ski show brought to you by the U.S. Water Ski Show Team. 8 p.m. concert at Freedom Park Scotia featuring Rusticator. Please note: If the weather calls for light rain, fireworks will still go on. If the weather calls for severe storms/weather of any kind, fireworks will have to be postponed or potentially cancelled.
Saturday, June 30
Sunflower Saturdays
Pitney Meadows,
223 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs
9:30 a.m.
Pitney Meadows Community Gardens will host an old-fashioned story time for children, followed by a hands-on, garden-related activity. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. with Faye Mihuta reading picture books on garden topics. Jess Clauser will then lead a garden activity at 10 a.m. Free admission.
Summer Tours
Yaddo Gardens,
312 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
11 a.m.
Garden Tours include sharing the history of the Trask family, the mansion and history of the Yaddo Gardens. Docent led Summer Drop-in Tours will be each Saturday and Sundays until September 2. Meeting at the entrance to the garden, $10 per person, tours last about one hour. For more information, contact Yaddo at 518-584-0746 or visit the website at www.yaddo.org.
Slavery in Dutch New York 1626-1664
Grant Cottage,
1000 Mt. McGregor Road, Wilton
1 p.m.
Curator Travis Bowman will present the role of slavery played in the formation and growth of the West India Company and how the Company’s Atlantic slave trading activities affected the colonists of Dutch New York. The suggested donation for programs is $5 per person. Programs are possible thanks to the Adirondack Trust Community Fund and are supported with funding from the New York State Park and Trail Partnership Program (NYSPTPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund.
Sunday, July 1
Breakfast Buffet
Saratoga-Wilton Elks,
1 Elks Lane, Route 9, Saratoga Springs
8:30 – 11 a.m.
Now featuring eggs to order, fruit cocktail, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, breakfast sausage and ham, corned beef hash, sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea. Donation Requested: Adults $10, Seniors and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $9, Children 5—12 $8, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $10. Call 518-584-2585 for more information.
Wealth and Wellness: Franklin Square
Franklin Square,
Corner of Division and Broadway, Saratoga Springs
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former Saratoga Springs Preseration Foundation Executive Director, will lead a tour through the architecturally rich historic Franklin Square area.
Monday, July 2
Family Parachute Night
Saratoga Springs Public Library,
H. Dutcher Community Room
6:30 – 7 p.m.
Let’s shake our sillies out and have some family parachute fun! Intended for ages 5 and above, but siblings are welcome. Register each child either online, in-person, or by calling 518-584-7860, ext. 305.
Coca-Cola July 4th Weekend at Great Escape
Six Flags Great Escape
89 Six Flags Drive Queensbury
9:30 a.m.
This three-day party (July 2 – 4) features your favorite all-American traditions and has everything you need to celebrate the country in the best way possible. Three nights of fireworks, a live DJ, interactive games to win great prizes and giveaways, plus so much more. Free admission to all military members (valid ID required). For more information visit www.sixflags.com/greatescape.
Tuesday, July 3
Woodcarvers Meeting
Milton Community Center,
310 Northline Road, Ballston Spa
9 – 11:30 a.m.
The Ballston Area Senior Citizens are looking for anyone interested in joining, from beginners to experience woodcarvers. Both men and women in the group meet every Tuesday to carve everything from birds, walking canes to even a rocking horse. Please contact Neil Scheuerman, 9 – 11:30 a.m. at 518-885-6740. Visit www.ballstonareaseniors.com.
Docent Tours at the National Museum of Dance
99 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Docent led tours of the Museum’s temporary and permanent exhibitions will be held each Tuesday. The tours are free of charge, no advance registration is necessary. Tours meet in the Museum foyer.
Fireworks at Saratoga Casino Hotel
342 Jefferson Street, Saratoga Springs
9:15 p.m.
The event also features food vendors and musicians, as well as a live racing card starting at 5 p.m. For more information on promotions and events during the “All-American Celebration,” visit SaratogaCasino.com.
Saratoga’s All-American Celebration 2018
Downtown Saratoga Springs
Tuesday and Wednesday – All day
Saratoga’s All-American Celebration 2018 plans to close Spring Street, Putnam Street and Henry Street for a downtown party. The fireworks will be shot off from behind the Congress Park carousel. The AudioStars concert will be on stage in the Spring Street surface lot. The car show will also be in the Spring Street lot earlier in the day, and BBQ and Dessert Fest will take place all along Broadway, throughout downtown Saratoga Springs, and in the Division Street parking lot. For additional information visit www.saratogajuly4th.com.
Wednesday, July 4
Firecracker4 Road Race
Saratoga Springs City Center,
522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
9 a.m.
This is the annual kick off to Saratoga’s All-American Celebration. The 4-mile course takes runners south on Broadway to Circular Street, east through the historic residential district and finishes behind the City Center. The race is chip timed with gun and net times. Awards in five year increments. Special award categories for Military and Public Safety participants. This is a USATF Adirondack Club Team Championship and Saratoga Stryders Grand Prix Event. There is also a half-mile Kids Fun Run, the “Firecracker Sparkler,” which will follow the Firecracker4 Awards Ceremony. Grab your friends and family and create a “Run Your Colors” race team. Top three teams will receive a donation to the charity of their choice. Visit firecracker4.com for more details and to register.
Volkswalk for Fun, Fitness and Friendship
Start point: K Mart Plaza,
1251 Route 29, Greenwich
Registration 9 – 9:25 a.m.
A volkswalk is a recreationally-paced, pre-mapped walk in a culturally or historically interesting area. They are planned with safety in mind and are great opportunities for exercise and sociability. Registration for each event starts one half-hour prior to the walk and the cost is $2. Further information is available at www.walkescv.org.
Independence Day at Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historical Park,
648 Route 32, Stillwater | 10 a.m.
Citizenship Ceremony: 10 – 11 a.m.
Celebrate and give cheer to 20 immigrants who become citizens of the USA. Enjoy period music, join in 13 toasts to independence and the “new” United States with lemonade, and see cannon and musket firings up close.
Declaration of Independence: 2 – 2:30 p.m.
Join Park Ranger Emeritus Joe Craig as he portrays a town crier declaring America’s Independence and leads a rousing 13 celebratory toasts.
July 4th Celebration at Clifton Common
16 Clifton Commons Boulevard, Clifton Park
Noon
Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we mark the birth of our nation in small-town America style! Clifton Park’s July Fourth Celebration culminates with great entertainment and the Capital Region’s largest locally sponsored fireworks display. The parade will begin at Noon and travel from the front of Shenendehowa School to Clifton Common. Then there will be rides, games, food and craft vendors at Clifton Common, as well as live music by Sirsy and The Accents. The day will conclude with fireworks! For more information, contact the Town of Clifton Park: www.cliftonpark.org.
New York State’s 4th of July Celebration
Empire State Plaza, Albany
3 – 10 p.m.
Price Chopper and Market 32 have presented this Albany tradition since our country’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. The annual event features live music and fun for the whole family, including the best fireworks show in the region. The day includes a naturalization ceremony, dozens of food and craft vendors, activities for kids, and an evening of live entertainment leading up to the big pyrotechnics show. The use of sparklers and fireworks is not permitted at the Empire State Plaza. All bags and backpacks will be subject to search. No animals or pets (excludes ADA-defined service animals) will be allowed.
4th of July Fireworks at Shepard Park
Shepard Park and Lake George Village Waterfront, Canada Street and Beach Road, Lake George
9:30 p.m.
The Village of Lake George puts on a July 4th fireworks display that can be viewed all along the waterfront. Time is approximate, they will go off immediately following sundown. Lake George also has fireworks at dusk every Thursday night from July 12 - August 23.
Poetry Reading
Café Lena,
47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
Doors open/ Sign-ups at 7 p.m.
A poetry reading by Elaine Handley. An open reading will follow. Readings will start at 7:30 p.m. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students. For more information call 518-583-0022 or visit the website at www.caffelena.org.
Thursday, July 5
Summer Concerts in the Park
Wiswall Park,
39 Front Street, Ballston Spa
6 – 8 p.m.
This is a great family-friendly event. Bring your blanket and chairs to the park for a great evening of live music in the village. This week’s feature concert is the Ballston Spa Community Band.
