2008 Travers Festival 

The 2008 Travers Festival will take place from Saturday, August 16th through Sunday, August 24th.  The 139th running of America's Mid-Summer Derby, The Travers Stakes, will take place on Saturday, August 23rd.

Saturday, August 16th

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course. Featured Races: The Alabama (GI) $600,000 & Sword Dancer (GI) $500,000.  Post Time: 1pm.

Blue Jean Makeover.  New York State Museum.  Give tired old jeans a wakeup call! We'll explore many ways to redesign your jeans, including adding different materials, making cuts, and reforming them into something original and unique.  List of materials will be provided at time of registration.  Admission is between $12-$15.  Contact: 473-7154

Family Fun Weekends.  New York State Museum.  The Museum offers fun for the whole family with games, crafts, and other theme based activities.  Free admission. 1-4pm. 

Philadelphia Orchestra. Tchaikovsky Spectacular including the 1812 Overature.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Saratoga Invitational Rugby Tournament.  Northside Recreation Field, Saratoga Springs, 9 am- 5pm.  Men's Tournament. Free.  Contact: 447-3074

Saratoga Springs Visitor Center and Heritage Area.  Special event at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center across from historic Congress Park.  297 Broadway.  Free admission.  Noon-4pm.

The 38th Annual Saratoga Springs Antique Show.  Canfield Casino.  $7 per person.  10 am - 5pm.  Contact: 584-6920 or visit www.saratogasprings-historymuseum.org

Sunday, August 17

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  John's Call $80,000.  Post time: 1pm.

Giveaway Day.  Saratoga Long Sleeve T-Shirt sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company

Family Fun Weekends.  New York State Museum.  The Museum offers fun for the whole family with games, crafts, and other theme based activities.  Free admission. 1-4pm. 

Saratoga Music Festival.  Featuring Bob Dylan and his band.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  Doors open at 1:30 pm and the show begins at 2:30 pm.  Ticket price ranges from $40-$125 per person.  Contact: 583-3045.

 The 38th Annual Saratoga Springs Antique Show.  Canfield Casino.  $7 per person.  10am-5pm.  Contact: 584-6920 or visit www.saratogasprings-historymuseum.org.

Monday, August 18

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Races: Union Avenue (NYB) $80,000.  Post Time: 1pm.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.  Saratoga Race Course.  Forget about your diets today!  Held in the Backyard, registration begins at 1pm with the contest to follow.  The winner will receive a year's supply of hot dogs.  Contact: 584-6200.

Saratoga Chamber Music Festival.  Featuring Alla Hungarese.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 8pm at the Little Theater.  Ticket price is $36.50 or $41.50.  Contact: 587-3330. 

Tuesday, August 19

No racing today at Saratoga Race Course.

The Allman Brothers Band with Surprise Guest.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  7 pm, SPAC Amphitheater.  Ticket prices range from $20 - $59.50.  Contact: 583-3045.

Explosive Duo.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  A pair not to be missed: Vadim Repin, violin and Nicolai Lugansky, piano.  BARTOK: Rhapsody for violin and piano.  No. 1 Sz. 86.  BEBUSSY: Sonata for flute, viola and harp.  BEETHOVEN: Sonata No 9 in A major, op. 47 "Kreutzer".  8:00pm Little Theater.  Ticket Prices range $36.50-$41.50.  Contact: 587-3330. 

Golf Tournament.  Saratoga Springs.  Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will be hosting a charity Golf Tournament benefiting the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.  The tournament is held at the Saratoga National Golf Club and it is $350 per golfer.  Lunch is at 12 noon and the start time is set at 1:15 pm.  Contact: 212-521-5327.

Shelters of Saratoga.  One fine day- an elegant garden party filled with gourmet fare, complimentary wine and music.  Pampering service providers will be on hand as you relax and rejuvinate with friends.  Union Gables B&B, 14 Walwortin Street.  Admission is $65 and must be purchased in advance.  1pm-4pm. Contact: 581-1097.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.  "La fiesta"- an annual celebration of the culture of the backstretch.  Features music, crafts.  Food available for purchase.  Held at NYRA Recreation Center.  No charge. 5pm-8pm.  Contact: 584-0400 ext. 133.

The Friends of Ulysses S. Grant Cottage. Saratoga Springs, Grant Cottage State Historic Site will be open from 10am-4pm.  Admission is $4 for adults, $3 students/seniors, $2 children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.  Contact: 372-0997.

Vision "a look at life behind the scenes".  Saratoga Race Course.  Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. will host their first evening fundraiser. 5pm-7pm.  Contact: 587-3158 ext. 11.

Wednesday, August 20

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Race: Albany (NYB) $150,000.  Post Time: 1pm. 

Stewarts's Shops Day at the Races. Saratoga Race Course.  $2 off Grandstand or Clubhouse admission coupons available at all Stewart's Shops.

Ice Cream Eating Contest, Sponsored by Stewart's Shops. Saratoga Race Course.  Sign up or just cheer on the contestants.  Event will be categorized into three age groups - kids, teens, and adults.  Registration  begins at 12 noon in front of the Jockey Silks Room. Come Hungry!.

Belmont Child Care Association Benefit.  A western round up, dinner, and auction fundraiser honoring Tracey and Todd Pletcher.  Saratoga City Center, admission is $250 per person. 6:30pm-midnight.  Contact: 516-527-4746.

Philadelphia Orchestra Midsummer Night's Dream.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  8 pm SPAC Amphitheater.  Charles Dutoit, conductor and Nicolai Lugansky, piano.  MENDELSSOHN: Excerpts from A Midsummer's Night's Dream.  Ticket prices range from $18-$72.50.  Contact 587-3330.

Thursday, August 21

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Race: Ballston Spa Hdcp. (GII) $200,000.  Post Time: 1pm. 

Greyhound Adoption Awareness Clinic.  Saratoga Race Course Picnic Area near The Big Red Spring.  Greyhounds as companions will have retired greyhounds that are seeking forever homes following the conclusion of their racing careers.  Information will be available about greyhound adoption across the northeast.  All are welcome to meet these beautiful, sleek animals and discover how they become loving and loyal pets.  11am-4:30pm.  Contact: 885-8526 ext.103. 

Philadelphia Orchestra: Repin Returns.Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  8pm SPAC Amphitheater.  Charles Dutoit, conductor, Vadim Repin, violin.  Ticket prices range from $18-$72.50.  Contact 587 3330.

8th Annual Travers Celebration.  Saratoga Race Course.  An evening of dinner and dancing to honor the winner of last year's Travers Stakes, Street Sense.  Proceeds benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team and teh Double H Ranch.  $300 per person, $3,000 for a preferred table of 10.  Contact 383-6183 until July 23, after, 584-6200 ext. 4233.

Travers Festival Children's Parade.  Congress Park.  Children will dress in their prince and princess themed costumes and will meet at the Spirit of Life statue at 5pm.  Parade will begin at 5:30pm and the children will walk the side walks to the City Center.  Free.  Sponsored by Downtown BID.  Contact: 587-8635.

Friday, August 22

Thoroughbred Racing. Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Race: Personal Ensign (GI) $400,000.  Post Time: 1pm.

The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery.  Presents Upbeat on the roof.  "Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys."  Located at the Tang Museum Roof.  Admission is Free.  7pm-8:30pm.  Contact: 580-5530.

Senior Services of Albany.  10th Anniversary Travers Wine Tasting - swirl, sip and savor over 200 fine wines and beers from around the globe and sample cuisine from the region's most notable restaurants to benefit Albany's meals on wheels program.  Located at the National Museum of Racing.  Admission is $125 - Guest, $150 - Honorary, $250 - Benefactor. 7pm-11pm.  Contact: 463-4381.

11th Annual Battle of the Brews.  Saratoga Race Course.  Micro brew tasting same as always, plus "Big Red Spring Area" $25 (includes tasting glass).  Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter 12-4:30pm.  Contact: 792-6545.

Philadelphia Orchestra The Planets Night.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  8pm SPAC Amphitheater.  Charles Dutoit, conductor, Yuja Wang, piano; Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale.  Ticket Prices range from $18- $72.50.  Contact: 587-3330. 

Saturday, August 23

Travers Day. Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Races: The Travers presented by Shadwell Farm (GI) $1,000,000, King's Bishop (GI) $250,000, Bernard Baruch Hdcp. (GII) $200,000, Victory Ride (GII) $100,000.  Post Time: 12 noon.  Gates open at 7am.

Philadelphia Orchestra The Grande Finale. Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  8pm SPAC Amphitheater.  Ticket prices range from $18-$72.50.  Contact:587-3330.

Sunday, August 24

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Race: Ballerina (GI) $250,000.  Post Time 1pm. 

Family Fun Day. Wilton Mall.  Sponsored by Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.).  Kitten & Cat Adoptions, clowns, face painting, carnival games.  Free admission.  Noon-5pm.  Contact: 885-0829.

Saratoga Chamber Music Festival - Time for Three.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  2:15pm SPAC Little Theater.  Ticket prices range from $36.50- $41.50.  Contact: 587-3330.

Journey with Special Guests Heart and Cheap Trick.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 7pm SPAC Amphitheater.  Brought to you by the Jeep Concert Series at SPAC.  Ticket prices range from $20-$125.  Contact: 583-3045. 

ALL FESTIVAL LONG - August 16 through August 24

Early Morning Breakfast.  Saratoga Race Course.  Start your day with a scrumptious buffet breakfast on the Clubhouse Lower Porch.  Wednesday - Monday throughout the racing season.  7-9:30am.  Large groups should call in advance for reservations.  Contact: 584-6200.

Backstretch Tours.  Saratoga Race Course.  Get a behind-the-scenes look at Thoroughbred racing with a tram tour of the oldest race course in North America and watch the Paddock Show and Starting Gate Demonstration.  The first tour departs at 8am, with additional tours every 15 minutes, and the last tour departs at 9:15 am daily except Tuesdays and Travers Day.  Contact: 584-6200.

Food Drive.  Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. People who bring a minimum of 2 non-perishable food items to either gate will receive a free NYRA souvenir, while supporting Saratoga County EOC's local food programs.

Grant Cottage State Historic Site.  Wilton.  Visit the cottage where Ulysses S. Grant finished his memoirs and died in July,  1885.  Admission is $4 adults, $3 students/seniors, $2 children 5-12, under 5 free.  Tours are from 10am-4pm, Wednesdays through Sundays.  Contact: 587-8277.

New York Lottery.  On-site display in the Big Red Springs backyard area.  Display will be selling lottery tickets every day except Travers Day and 8/24. 

Backstretch Art Exhibit and Sale.  Saratoga Race Course.  View the backstretch through the eyes of the workers who care for the horses.  This unique black and white photo exhibit displays the idyllic and tranquil mornings of work on the backstretch as well as the dignity and lives of the people who are the backbone of the racing industry.  The exhibit is a project of Saratoga County EOC's Latino Community Advocacy Program which provides English Classes and bilingual assistance to backstretch workers in our community.  Contact: 518-587-3158.

"The History and Art of 25 Travers."  Saratoga Race Course.  Vic Zast and Greg Mongomery, North Country Books, book launch.  The first book ever written specifically about the Travers, containing the Travers poster, the longest continuing series of sporting art in the world.  Book sales and signing.  Wednesday, August 20th-Saturday, August 23rd from 12:30-2:45pm.