On Deck
Two SPAC events, Pollinator Palooza, Whitman Brewing Pridefest and more.
Thursday, May 30
Eight of Saratoga’s leading horse-centric organizations (Great Strides Equestrian Foundation, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Nipper Knolls Equine Center, Alfred Z. Solomon Veterans Program, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation) are teaming up this Thursday to put on a showcase of all the ways that horses connect with humans in the Spa City. Herd That! will feature live music by the Toga Boys, light fare and a cash bar. Saratoga celebrity ambassador Upset the miniature horse will be there, too!
Friday, May 31
Back by popular demand, SPAC’s summer kickoff party is back. SPACtacular is an evening of live music, cocktails and mocktails, culinary delights, fireworks and a DJ dance party on the SPAC stage. While All-Access passes are no longer available, Party Passes are, and get you access to the party tent beginning at 7pm, Glow Lounge (featuring mocktails by Little Lucy’s) and the after-party on the SPAC stage. Get your tickets now.
Saturday, June 1
You may have seen Sustainable Saratoga’s signs for No Mow May around town this month—by holding off on mowing your lawn, you allow bees, moths, butterflies and other pollinators to safely exit their winter ground homes and find nectar. But when June rolls around, Sustainable Saratoga isn’t done with its quest to save the bees. On Saturday, the nonprofit is hosting its annual Pollinator Palooza, a native plant sale and educational event at Oligny Garden Center in Gansevoort. Planting native plants provides essential food and habitat for native pollinators, which are in drastic decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. Stop by from 10am-3pm to shop more than 35 species of native plants, learn about sustainable gardening and more. There’ll even be activities for the kiddos!
Let your pride show at Whitman Brewing’s annual Pride Fest, featuring 20 breweries, live music by Yort and The North and South Dakotas, Detroit-style pizza and games, plus adoptable puppies from Lucky Puppy Rescue, on Saturday from 1-5pm. General admission tickets are $30 in advance, and designated driver tickets are $20.
Sunday, June 2
SPAC is back on Sunday with its Festival of Young Artists, a free community event celebrating hundreds of the Capital Region’s brightest young actors, dancers, musicians, singers, poets and visual artists. The festivities start at 2pm, when SPAC’s grounds will be transformed into a a festival of pop-up performances, fine art displays, poetry slams, games and activities, and free ice cream by Stewart’s Shops. The main event begins at 4:30pm: hundreds of students will gather for a concert on SPAC’s main stage.
Another family-friendly option for Sunday? Check out the annual Wildlife Festival at Historic Camp Saratoga in Wilton. Hosted by Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and part of National Trails Day, the free event will feature live animals, nature crafts, face painting, pond exploration, and food trucks, plus the opportunity to see the first brood of the endangered Karner blue butterflies and the blooming wild blue lupine.