Friday, August 17
“History, Legends, Lore and More” Guided Walking Tour
Saratoga Springs 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. Cost is $8, children under 12 are free. For more information, contact the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at 518-587-3241.
Ghost Tours at Canfield Casino
Saratoga Springs History Museum, Canfield Casino in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs
11 a.m. – Noon
One hour guided tours of the Canfield Casino that were featured on Ghost Hunters. Tours are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and are led by staff and volunteers who personally experienced paranormal occurrences in the building. Tours include full admission to the Canfield Casino and all three floors of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. Cost is $10 adults, $8 children, Free for children under 5.
Saturday, August 18
16th Annual Jailhouse Rock 5K
Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa
8:18 a.m.
The race is sponsored by the Saratoga County Historical Society. All proceeds from the race support the efforts of SCHS to keep history alive in Saratoga County through collecting, preserving and displaying our history. There will be live music and awards for top finishers and age group winners. The race will start at the top of the hill by Brookside. Finish will be at the Brookside Museum. Cost is $30. Online registration: jailhouserock5k.itsyourrace.com
12th Annual Car, Truck and Bike Show
Clifton Park Elks Lodge, 695 MacElroy Rd., Ballston Lake
9 a.m.
All years and makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. We have over 50 awards to registered vehicles. Fun, music, 50/50 raffles, and great food. Come see the contestant vehicles. Also, see the New York State Police demonstrate their “Rollover Simulator.” Proceeds benefit the Elks National Foundation and the NYSEA Major Project Fund (Cerebral Palsy Home Service Program). Awards will be presented approximately at 3:30 p.m. Contestant registration is $10; spectators are free. Rain date is Sunday, August 19. For Information call Dick Campion at 518-928-8725 or Mike Bendetti at 518-495-0240. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sunflower Saturdays
Pitney Meadows, 223 West Ave., 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.
10th Annual Saratoga Arts Celebration
National Museum of Dance, 99 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A juried fine arts and fine crafts festival of visual and performing arts. The festival includes live musical performances on both Saturday and Sunday with local celebrities, as well as free hands-on children’s arts activities and a variety of food temptations. Sunday there will be a Farmers’ Market to enjoy as well. It all happens rain or shine, inside and under tents. Admission is free to both the Saratoga Arts Celebration and the National Museum of Dance. Ample parking.
Tang Family Saturdays
Tang Museum, Skidmore Campus, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs
2-3:30 p.m.
Papel Picado - We will look at Daniel Gonzalez’s Artes es Vida in the exhibition Give a damn, and talk about the artwork, how it is made, and the Mexican folk art tradition of Papel Picado, or cut paper. Then we will make our own Papel Picado creations with both construction and tissue paper, markers, and more. Suitable for children ages 5 and up with their adult companions. Programs include a brief tour of a current Tang exhibition followed by a hands-on art activity. Free and open to the public. Reservations are strongly suggested. For reservations and information, call 518-580-8080.
Sunday, August 19
Breakfast Buffet
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 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 buiscuits, 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.
Rails to Saratoga Springs and Mt. McGregor
Grant Cottage, 1000 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton
1 p.m.
Join Dr. Richard Chait, author (and Distinguished Research Fellow at the National Defense University), as he brings back area images of the bygone era of Saratoga railroads. For more information and other events, visit www.grantcottage.org.
Chicken BBQ Benefit
Union Fire Company #2, 319 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa
4 – 7 p.m.
In support of Ken Woolley battling throat cancer. Cost is $12 includes: chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob, dessert and drink. For preorders call 518-885-7121.
Monday, August 20
2018 Washington County Fair Begins
Washington County Fairgrounds, 392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich
The Washington County Fair is home to over 1,800 exhibitors; more than 1,900 animals; over 30 free daily shows and entertainment; more than 40 carnival rides; hundreds of artisans, craftsmen, and historians; 50 food vendors all located on 120 acres with ample free parking. Our mission is to educate the public on the county’s agriculture in a fun, family-friendly environment. Admission is $12. Kids under 13 are free.
Saratoga Stryders’ 5K Trail Series Fun Runs
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Camp Saratoga, Scout Rd., Parking Lot #1, Gansevoort
5:30 p.m.
The Saratoga Stryders host this series of fun runs on wooded trails at Camp Saratoga. This is the last race in the series of five. Open to all ages and abilities. Registration is $5 per race at the door starting at 5:30 pm. Races begin at 6:15 p.m. sharp - rain or shine. A raffle is held at the end of each race with many prizes awarded. At the last race of the series the Ironman and Ironwoman award is given. There are no water stops on the course but is available at the finish. Proceeds benefit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Saratoga Spa State Park and another local non-profit. For more information contact Laura Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-581-1278.
Tuesday, August 21
Ghost Tours at Yaddo
Yaddo Gardens, 312 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs
5 p.m.
Ghost Tours will be held every Tuesday during Racing season. Private docent-led garden tours may be arranged at a date and time convenient to a group. Meeting in the parking lot, $10 per person. For more information, contact Yaddo at 518-584-0746 or www.yaddo.org.
Summer Concert Series
Congress Park, War Memorial, Saratoga Springs
7 p.m.
Gather your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs, find a spot on the lawn and enjoy some of our area’s favorite performers. Tonight’s feature concert: Garland Nelson. The concert will last approximately 90 minutes. The rain location is the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center. This free Concert Series is a program of the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center in cooperation with the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau and the City of Saratoga Springs.
Wednesday, August 22
The Best Hated Man in America
Grant Cottage, 1000 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton
1 p.m.
Grant Cottage Site Manager Dave Hubbard will examine Ferdinand Ward’s life, from his beginnings in western New York State, to his financial career, criminal activities, his connections to the Grants and their financial ruin, and his time in prison. For more information and other events, visit www.grantcottage.org.
Melissa & Doug Toy Tinkerer Event
The Children’s Museum, 69 Caroline St.
2:30 p.m.
Come join us for a special, interactive experience sure to launch kid’s imaginations. We are transforming the Museum into a Toy Tinkerer Workshop, where kids become official Melissa and Doug Toy Tinkerers for the day. For more information call 518-584-5540 or visit www.cmssny.org.
Thursday, August 23
Summer Concerts in the Park
Wiswall Park, 39 Front St., 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 features The Bluebillies.
