The Hunt Is On
Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes launches today. PLUS: Inside Bobby Flay's Saratoga home, Kayak Shak opens for the season and more Spa City happenings.
If you need an excuse to get out and enjoy today’s 70-degree temps, we’ve got it: Go on a hunt for a horseshoe. No, really.
If you’ve heard of Block Island’s Glass Float Project, you know the drill. In Rhode Island, local glass blower Eben Horton hides hundreds of glass orbs around Block Island’s beaches and Greenway Trails each year. If you find one, it’s yours to keep. Bolstered by the increase in outdoor recreation during the pandemic, the hunt for the orbs—or floats—is now a major tourist attraction; dedicated hunters are even referred to as “orbivores,” per a 2020 New York Times article.
One such orbivore is Rhode Island native Jenn Cleason, who moved to Saratoga 15 years ago. “I was on a girls’ trip a few years ago in Block Island,” she says. “My friend introduced me to the Glass Float Project, and we went hiking. I fell in love with hiking the beautiful parks and trails of Block Island that I would’ve never seen had I not participated in this little scavenger hunt.”
While Jenn hasn’t found an orb yet, she’s decided to bring the spirit of the hunt to her new hometown. This winter she and fellow Rhode Island native turned Saratogian Tracy Shannon launched Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, a scavenger hunt like the Glass Float Project, but for authentic horseshoes worn by Saratoga racehorses. The duo has been hyping up the hunt on Instagram and Facebook for more than three months, and, as of today, the wait is over.
As of this morning, Jenn and Tracy have hidden horseshoes throughout eight of the city’s parks and trails: Spring Run, Waterfront Park, the Greenbelt Connector, Congress Park, Railroad Run, High Rock Park, Geyser Road Trail and Bog Meadow. Most are plain horseshoes that have a number, logo and QR code on them, but 30 have been painted or decorated by local artists, including several from Saratoga Springs High School, AIM Service and Saratoga Bridges. The horseshoes will be hidden between ground level and eye level no more than four feet from a trail, but wont’ necessarily be visible—Jenn recommends carrying a poking stick to prod around leaves and brush, or to look in bushes. If you come across one, they ask that you share your find on social media and tag Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes. A total of 300 horseshoes will be hidden in phases throughout the summer, so don’t worry if you can’t get out to explore this weekend.
“It’s just an all-around, feel-good activity,” Jenn says of the new initiative. “Remember the Lip Dub? Everyone in the community was so excited about it. We feel like it’s been a long time since something has happened in the community that we can all get excited about.” Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, hopefully, will be exactly that. “It’s free, it gets people exercising, off their phones, and exploring the public parks and trails in Saratoga,” Jenn continues. “It’s just a win-win all around.”
—Natalie
Truck Stop
If it hadn’t already crossed your mind, searching for hidden horseshoes is a great activity to do with little ones. But that’s not the only kid-friendly activity on the calendar for today: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga’s will host its annual Big Truck Day from 9am-1pm in the SPAC parking lot on Route 50. The Children’s Museum’s biggest fundraising event of the year, Big Truck Day features classic trucks, school buses, rescue vehicles, helicopters and more, plus food trucks and fun activities for the whole family. Tickets are $7 per person.
‘yak Attack
We might as well keep the family-friendly theme rolling! This week, the Kayak Shak on Fish Creek officially reopened for the summer. Stop by this weekend to rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or head to kayakshak.com to reserve the coveted hammocraft.
The Path to Paris
Yesterday marked the official launch of The Other 3 Years, a podcast by local journalist Christine O’Donnell that will follow the journey of Kristi Wagner, a Saratoga-based Olympic rower who placed fifth in the Women’s Double Sculls event at the 2020 Olympics, as she embarks on her goal to win gold at the 2024 Paris Games. “We don’t know what’s gonna happen, which for me is a bit terrifying,” Kristi said at a press conference at the Saratoga Rowing Association boathouse Friday. “Normally, athletes can give the review of a performance the way that they want to after it happened and wrap it up pretty with a bow. I’m not doing that—I’m just going to share it as it comes.” Check out episode one of The Other 3 Years here:
Couch Wars
One Hudson Falls family is asking for your help to win the title of ugliest sofa. Kristine Snyder’s Saratoga-based in-laws submitted her well loved couch (which is sporting a bit of duct tape) to a contest run by Johnstown furniture store Ruby & Quiri and, if their photo gets the most likes on Facebook, they’ll win a new one. Cast your vote for the ugliest couch before Sunday night here.
Flay of the Land
While it’s old news that celebrity chef and horse racing enthusiast Bobby Flay purchased a home in Saratoga Springs in early 2021, the home’s interior design made national news this week. House Beautiful published an interview with interior designer Olivia Capuano, who was tasked with completing the home, bourbon lounge, outdoor kitchen and all, in less than six months—you know, in time for the 2021 Saratoga track season. Read the story and see more images here.
Save the Date
Our fan-favorite event is back with a new psychic medium who will connect select attendees with loved ones who have crossed over. Join Saratoga Living and psychic medium Christine Seebold for a group reading at the Gideon Putnam on Wednesday, May 10 from 6-9pm. The first hour will be a cocktail hour (each ticket includes one free drink) with passed hors d’oeuvres, and then the main event will begin. Get your tickets now—this event has sold out in past years!.
This Week in Saratoga Living After Hours
On Tuesday, we published our last Game Time post for a while—a cryptogram about the late Queen of Saratoga.
Then, on Wednesday, we recapped why you should go to see Paint, the Owen Wilson movie filmed in the Spa City, at the Saratoga AMC Theater.