Saratoga, New York's Summer Season Sizzles With Horse Racing, Performances, Getaway Packages, Festivals and More

New and exciting events are going on in Saratoga springs. End Quote

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY (1888PressRelease) July 10, 2013 - World-class Thoroughbred horse racing, the arts, festivals, family attractions and much more await visitors to Saratoga, New York this summer.

This summer in Saratoga will be a time to remember and an experience not to be missed. Starting in May Saratoga will be celebrating 150 years of thoroughbred racing history during the Saratoga150 Festival. Over 180 events through October, with special 150 events including a $15,000 wagering contest, Hoof Prints Walk of Fame, war encampments, Saratoga150 Film Festival, a Floral Fete & Ice Cream Social and so much more. For more information, history timeline and a complete list of events, go online to www.saratoga150.com.

The fast-paced 40-day schedule is set to begin Friday, July 19th through Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd, 2013 at the historic Saratoga Race Course. World-class thoroughbred racing action in America's oldest sporting venue, will boast sixteen Grade 1 stakes races, as well as three Breeders' Cup Challenge races. The highlight of the summer will be the 144th running of the oldest stakes race in the country, Saturday, August 24th with the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes. This year's racing meet will host numerous festivities, including the Hats Off To Saratoga Festival, July 19th - 20th, with sunset racing, a hat contest and live downtown musical performances and the Final Stretch Festival, August 31st and September 1st, with sunset racing, a family fun fest, graded stakes races and downtown music on Saturday and Sunday nights. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.nyra.com, while getaway package and festival information can be found at www.saratoga.org.

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will open their summer classical season with the 36th Annual Freihofer's Jazz Festival. "The Hang" returns to two stages on Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, June 30th. One of the longest-running jazz events in the world hosts world-renowned and up-and-coming jazz artists, including Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy, David Sanborn & Bob James. The elegance and grace of the New York City Ballet will take center stage July 9th through July 13th, for their 47th summer residency in Saratoga. One of the preeminent orchestras in the world, the Philadelphia Orchestra, will make Saratoga its home August 7th - 24th, highlighted by Yo Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Béla Fleck, Tchaikovsky Spectacular and more. SPAC will also host National Ballet of Canada, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, MOMIX Botanica, Opera Saratoga (June 23- July 7), The Saratoga Chamber Music Festival (Aug 4 - 20), Cabaret (July 19 - Aug 3) and several major music pop and rock concerts throughout the summer. Visitors can find more information on performances at www.spac.org.

A four-day festival of the arts in all its forms, will take place June 6th- 9th during the annual SaratogaArtsFest. Visitors can enjoy music, visual arts, performances, film, dance and more at various locations across Saratoga. Purchase an ARTSPASS now for free or discounted admission to events, as well as art-related discounts throughout the year. For complete schedule and more information go to www.saratogaartsfest.org or visit www.saratoga.org for special event stay packages.

New for 2013 is Saratoga En Pointe!, a collection of twenty-four, five foot tall pointe shoe sculptures on display throughout the City of Saratoga Springs. The National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame commissioned local artists to decorate the shoes, similar to the horse sculptures in the past. The museum also has an En Pointe! exhibit about the myths, history and reality behind pointe shoes and ballet, now through November 24, 2013. For more information, go online to www.dancemuseum.org.

Saratoga's equine traditions continue with over 100 years of polo and over 70 years of harness racing. Saratoga Polo will begin its 2013 season, July 12th through September 1st, showcasing the sport of kings every Friday and Sunday. Visitors will find live harness racing on a beautiful half-mile track all summer long at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, alongside more than 1,700 gaming machines, a popular nightclub and numerous dining options. Learn about famous race horses of the past and racing history at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which has interactive exhibits and a horse racing simulator.

Visitors can relive one of the most important battles in world history at Saratoga National Historical Park, site of the "Turning Point" of the American Revolution. The park is host to numerous events throughout the year, including guided walks and bike rides, reenactments, July 4th citizenship ceremony and weekend-long celebration for the 236th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga. For more information and schedule of events go online to www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm.

Saratoga County has a number of museums, art galleries and historic landmarks, including the New York State Military Museum, Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery at Skidmore College, Grant's Cottage, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, Brookside Museum and the Children's Museum at Saratoga. For a complete list of museums, art galleries and historical sites, go online to www.saratoga.org.

Saratoga County is also rich in affordable, unique and high quality golf courses, including the award-winning Saratoga National Golf Club. Named one of the Top 100 public courses in America by Golf Digest, it is one of fourteen courses to tee off at in the area. Special golf getaway packages are available online at www.saratoga.org.

Visitors interested in spending time outdoors will find over 10,000 acres of parks, trails, lakes, rivers and scenic beauty nestled between the banks of the Hudson River and the southern foothills of the Adirondacks.

A visit to Saratoga is economical with a number of event and festival stay packages that include attractions, dining and special gifts. For more getaway package details or for a free travel guide, visitors can go online to www.saratoga.org or call 1-800-526-8970.

About Saratoga, New York
Saratoga's attractions and spectacular scenery have made it a premier Northeast destination for centuries. Located approximately three hours from New York, Montreal and Boston, Saratoga features world-class horse racing, the performing arts, gaming, polo, award-winning golf courses, museums - including three National museums, a National Battlefield, Victorian architecture, great shopping, plentiful outdoor activities and so much more.

Visitor information is available online at www.saratoga.org or by calling 1-800-526-8970. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is the official Tourism Promotion Agency of Saratoga County, New York.

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