On Deck: Kentucky Derby & Cinco de Mayo Edition
Where to watch the first leg of the Triple Crown, where to get your obligatory May 5 Mexican food, and more events going on this week in Saratoga.
Tuesday, April 30
SPAC and the Saratoga Book Festival are teaming up to welcome writer and history professor Donald L. Miller to the Spa Little Theater tonight at 7pm. Miller will discuss his book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, which is now a limited AppleTV series produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks. Tickets include a book (the author will be signing them after the presentation) and cost $35 per person and $50 for two people (one book). Veterans get in free, and can purchase a book for $20.
Wednesday, May 1
On Wednesday, Wolf Hollow Brewing and Forno Bistro will unveil their new collaboration beer, Thoroughbreds, at a launch party going on at Forno from 4-6pm. The event, part of DZ Restaurants’ “Helping HanDZ” initiative, will benefit Saratoga backstretch workers and feature celebrity jockey bartenders, small bites and beer tastings. Tickets are $15 (recommended donation), and Forno will be donating 25 percent of that evening’s dinner sales to the backstretch workers as well.
Thursday, May 2
As die-hard Potterheads already know, May 2 is international Harry Potter Day. To celebrate, The Merc is hosting a book drive and cocktail event all day long. Bring any book to donate (not just a Harry Potter one) and receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a cocktail-making kit. While you’re there, indulge in one of the bar’s exclusive HP cocktails, including Butterbeer and Polyjuice Potion.
Friday, May 3
Hosted by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, Rainbow Garden Club is a free drop-in program for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies that utilizes gardening, nature and art activities to provide a healthy social space and support network for LGBTQ+ youth. This Friday, the nonprofit will host a fundraiser for the program at Pitney Meadows Community Farm from 6-8pm. The Rainbow Garden Fundraiser Party will include refreshments for sale and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 (suggested donation) and colorful attire is encouraged.
In celebration of Lucia Boutique’s 18th anniversary, the Saratoga Marketplace store will be offering 18 percent off your purchase this Friday from 4-8pm. If you spend $75 or more, you’ll go home with a free goodie bag, and everyone who stops by can sample rosé from Kane’s Fine Wine and Spirits.
Saturday, May 4
Will a Triple Crown winner be crowned in Saratoga at the Belmont this year? It’s far too soon to say, but you’re going to want to tune into the series’ first race—the Kentucky Derby—this Saturday. Post time is at 6:57pm, and the race will be aired on NBC and Peacock. Want to watch with a crowd? Saratoga National is hosting its annual watch party, as are the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame and Sponsor-A-Scholar, the latter of which will host its event at The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel. New this year is Franklin Square Market’s Derby Day block party, which will take over Railroad Place from 4-9pm.
Cinco de Mayo is coming a day early! Cantina is celebrating the Mexican holiday with a two-day event spanning all three floors of the restaurant. Yes, even the second floor, which is normally only open for special events, will be open for drinks beginning at 2pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. Head there to watch the Derby on Saturday afternoon!
It may be Derby Day/Cinco de Mayo weekend, but it’s also Saratoga Comic Con weekend. A fan-favorite event for fans of all stripes, this spring’s Comic Con will feature cosfighting classes, actor’s panels, pop culture trivia, Super Smash Bros. tournaments, cosplay contests, more than 150 exhibitors and celebrity appearances by actors David Hayton (Metal Gear Solid), Quinton Flynn (Kingdom Hearts), Jenna Jameson (Family Guy), Andrew Bryniarski (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and more. A variety of ticket options for the two-day festival are available.
Sunday, May 5
We already know that every Mexican restaurant in the Capital Region is going to be a mad house come Sunday…So why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a brewery instead? Malta’s Active Ingredient Brewing Company is hosting an all-day Cinco de Mayo party featuring quesadillas, the release of Mexican lager Maize Method and special Cinco de Mayo T-shirts.