FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: 
Greg Dixon
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
518-584-3255
gdixon@saratoga.org
www.saratoga.org
 
Saratoga, New York’s Summer Season Kicks Off With Horse Racing, Performances, Festivals and More
 
Saratoga Springs, NY –
 
World-class Thoroughbred horse racing, the performing arts, historical sites and much more await visitors to Saratoga, New York this summer.
 
Historic Saratoga Race Course will open its gates Wednesday, July 29th through Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, for its 2009 season.  Visitors can enjoy a trackside breakfast during the morning workouts before an afternoon of heart-pounding horse racing action.  A number of festivals during the meet will add to the thrill of this 141-year-old Saratoga tradition.  The Hats Off To Saratoga Festival, July 31st – August 2nd will feature sunset racing, a hat contest, Breeders’ Cup challenge races and downtown musical performances.  The Travers Festival, to be held August 22nd – 30th, includes the 140th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 29th and more than 30 special events throughout the week.  The Final Stretch Festival will be September 4th – 7th and will include 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.
 
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will kick off its classical season at The Freihofer’s Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th, featuring renowned artists, including Patti Labelle, as well as up-and-coming artists of modern jazz.  The New York City Ballet will come to Saratoga for the 43rd year, performing in Saratoga, July 7th through July 18th.  SPAC will host The Philadelphia Orchestra August 5th through August 22nd, which includes Alec Baldwin narrating Lincoln Portrait on opening night.  SPAC is also home to several major music concerts in 2009 including: Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Nickelback and many more.  Visitors can find more information on performances at www.spac.org.
 
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 232nd Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga will occur later this year in September.  Trace the footsteps of Benedict Arnold, Horatio Gates and John Burgoyne at the Visitor Center or take a tour along the banks of the Hudson to view the actual battlefield grounds.  In addition, Saratoga County is celebrating the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial with special events throughout the area.  A comprehensive Saratoga County Quadricentennial events calendar can be found online at http://exploresaratogacounty.blogspot.com/.     
 
There are other ways to see horses when not at Saratoga Race Course.  Polo has been a part of Saratoga’s history since 1898.  That tradition is continued during Saratoga Polo’s 2009 season, which begins July 10th.  Visitors can find live harness racing and over 1,700 gaming machines at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, which also has a popular nightclub and dining options.  Visitors can also check out the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which has interactive exhibits and a horse racing simulator.       
 
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, 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, 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 and the second best public course in New York State behind Bethpage Black, it is one of many spots to tee off in the area.  Special golf getaway packages are available online at www.saratoga.org.
 
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.