First Night Saratoga is on its way to becoming a sold-out event.
First Night Saratoga has grown in 11 years to become not only the largest citywide winter event for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, but is also the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in upstate New York. This year, it will be the sole First Night in the Capital-Saratoga District.
Capital District residents who are interested in attending this family-oriented celebration of the arts are encouraged to purchase admission buttons as early as possible to avoid potential sell-out of buttons, said event coordinator Maureen Duda.
We still have a good supply left in some places, she said, `but we’re selling through those very quickly.`
Duda said the YMCA of Saratoga sold 10,500 buttons last year, but ordered 14,000 this year, as theirs is the only First Night celebration left in the Capital District.
`It’s sort of a guinea-pig year for us,` she said.
The city of Albany is hosting an event the day before Saratoga’s First Night, but that event is geared toward children, whereas First Night has attractions for adults as well.
Duda said she has noticed an increase in visitors from Albany and Troy in recent years, and chalks it up to the attractiveness of Saratoga Springs.
`I think Saratoga Springs is a dream town at any time of year, but more so, I think, at Christmas,` she said.
Sue Cleary, public relations coordinator for Albany’s special events department, said Albany’s discontinuation of First Night had nothing to do with declining attendance. `We’ve been talking about changing the event for years, to a free event,` she said.
First Night Saratoga buttons are available at the YMCA of Saratoga or may be purchased at area Price Chopper supermarkets, select Stewart’s Shops, Adirondack Trust Co., Wilton Mall, and other locations.
For a complete schedule of events and information, visit the Web site at www.ymcasaratoga.org, or call 584-8262.
SIDEBAR: First Night Saratoga goes dreamy
`A Midwinter Night’s Dream` is the theme for this year’s First Night Saratoga.
As thousands of eager revelers descend upon the Spa City Dec. 31, they will be participating in what has, in the last 11 years, developed into not only the biggest citywide festival in Saratoga Springs, but the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in upstate New York.
Some Broadway shop windows will be a part of more than 40 performance venues throughout downtown, Lake Avenue, and Beekman Street, offering everything from rock to Rachmaninov, blues to bluegrass, dance, drama, comedy, and plenty for the kids as well.
Performance sites include most of the major venues in the city, and show off the splendid architecture of various churches, banks, and public buildings.
First Night Saratoga, presented each year by the YMCA of Saratoga, and underwritten by signature sponsor GE and many other corporate supporters, has expanded over the years to include nearby areas such as the Beekman Street Arts District, and the National Museum of Dance on South Broadway.
This year the event will proudly assist in showcasing the newest jewel in the city’s crown ` the newly restored Universal Preservation Hall on Washington Street.
First Night, a family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts and the community, also features a continuously sold-out 5k run at 5:30 p.m. at Skidmore College, when 1,000 runners `race into the new year` with the largest First Night run in the state.
Simultaneously, the opening ceremonies for First Night will commence at 5:30 p.m. outside the Saratoga City Center, where a number of local dignitaries will take to the stage and launch the event, followed by the first of two gala fireworks displays during the evening.
At 6 p.m., Brown’s shuttle buses will transport revelers, though most of the route is easily walkable, throughout the enchanting downtown Saratoga Springs area.
Those wishing to experience the expanded First Night area in the quaint and artsy Beekman Street Arts District may walk a few short blocks west of Broadway, (or ride in the First Night Winter Wonder Wagon ` a 30-seat wagon) to the city’s newest and most `hip` neighborhood, featuring several art galleries, a magician and other entertainment, shops, and cafes.
Highlighting the night’s entertainment will be the headline acts in the City Center, as perennial favorites The McKrells return, alternating with a very special guest and her band: Kate Taylor, sister of James Taylor, whose unique style will make for a most unforgettable experience.
Several groups will be returning to First Night Saratoga ` back by popular demand, including Irish favorites Hair of the Dog, the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra, Racing City Chorus, Aged in the Hills country band, and Civil War singers/re-enactors the 77th Regiment Balladeers. Swing dancers will `cut a rug` to the sounds of the Joey Thomas Big Band, and Vesper and Pinstripe Melee will rock the YMCA gym.
Some of the newly-added additions will be rockers Hector on Stilts, the Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band, Heavenly Echoes Gospel Singers from Albany, and a very special performance by a hot-on-the-music-scene jug band comprised of members that include some players from the legendary ’80s band `Blotto` ` the Ramblin’ Jug Stompers, whose sessions with the Rumdummies will surely make their Saratoga Hotel venue a not-to-be-missed highlight of the evening.
The Allegany River Indian Dancers will demonstrate some outstanding examples of Native American dance and music, traveling to Saratoga for the first time from the western part of the state.
Children’s activities will start earlier than normal ` at 4 pm in Lake Avenue Elementary School, and will offer a wide variety of amusements for children of every age ` The Zucchini Bros., a reptile show, several magic and illusion shows, Radio Disney entertainers, Mr. Twisty, and High Peaks Juggling, to name a few.
`The YMCA of Saratoga is delighted every year to be able to present a family-oriented program of top-notch arts and entertainment to the Saratoga community,` commented Jim Letts, CEO of the YMCA of Saratoga. `It gives adults and children a chance to spend quality time together, experience the visual and performing arts in ways they may not normally share together, and it also gives the revelers a chance to see the inside of some of the city’s most fabulous and famous buildings.`
Several area museums, too, will open their doors as First Night venues, including the Childrens Museum, National Museum of Dance, and the NYS Military Museum.
Most performance venues will open at 6 p.m. and run continuous 40-minute sets until 11:40 p.m., giving revelers ample time to find a prime viewing spot near Lake Ave. for the dazzling Alonzo fireworks display at midnight, hosted by radio station Star 101.3 FM and sponsored each year by Saratoga County.
Admission buttons, which allow one into all events, are $12, children younger than 5 are free, and are on sale at the YMCA of Saratoga. Other sales venues include Wilton Mall, Seasons of Saratoga, Crafters Gallery, and the Saratoga Visitors Center, Price Chopper Supermarkets, select Saratoga Co. Stewart’s Shops, Adirondack Trust Co., and Boscov’s in both Colonie Center and Clifton Park Center.
In addition, buttons may be purchased online and picked up at the YMCA on Broadway in advance, or on the day and evening of the event.
This year, because Albany will no longer feature a First Night event, First Night Saratoga is expected to experience record crowds and may likely sell out. Though a few additional venues have been added, due to safety and crowd control issues a limited number of buttons will be sold, and purchasers are encouraged to buy early.
For First Night information, call the YMCA of Saratoga Development Office at 584-8262. For online button sales or a complete list of First Night Saratoga events, visit www.ymcasaratoga.org.
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