2009 Travers Festival

The 2009 Travers Festival will take place from Saturday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 30th.  The 140th running of America's Mid-Summer Derby, The Shadwell Travers Stakes, will take place on Saturday, August 29th.

2009 Shadwell Travers Festival Details:

Download the 2009 Travers Brochure here

Saturday, August 22nd

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

Miss Fulton County Annual Golf Tournament.  Holland Meadows Golf Course.  Golf tournament to benefit Miss Fulton County Scholarship Fund.  Prizes include cash, golf passes and more!  Exciting raffles and delicious barbeque lunch.  $70.  9am-noon.  Contact:  518-725-6153.

Myers Park Anniversary.   Entrances from Bloomingdales Avenue &  Hill Street, Gloversville.  100th Anniversary Celebration of the dedication of Myers Park on August 22nd and 23rd.  Re-dedication on Saturday morning, music, food, picnics throughout the day.  Saturday there will be an ice cream social.  Free admission and free food & beverages.  10am-6pm.  Contact: 518-725-0804.

The Philadelphia Orchestra Our Fabulous Philadelphians.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Admission is $16 for lawn seats, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and under.  Gates open at 6pm and show starts at 8pm.  Contact: 518-584-9330 ext. 116.

Sunday, August 23rd

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Races: Yaddo (NYB) $100,000.  Post time: 1pm.

Village of Northville & SVAN Summer Concerts in the Park.  Lakeside Park, Northville - rain location TBA.  Inca Son will thrill you with the music of Peruvian Andes.  They are an award winning internationally recognized band.  Free admission, donations accepted. 5-7pm.  Contact: 518-752-8844.

Saratoga Race Course Giveaway Day.  Saratoga Long Sleeve T-Shirt.  Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Saratoga Chamber Music Festival.  Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park.  Star Struck: The Next Generation. Special guests: Kirill Gerstein, piano, Arabella Steinbacher, violin, Sol Gabetta, cello and Chantal Juillet, violin & viola featuring pieces by Stravinsky, Ravel and Brahms. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; Show begins at 2:15 p.m. Contact: 518-584-9330.

Monday, August 24th

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

Tuesday, August 25th

No Racing today at Saratoga Race Course.

Dutch Delight Papier-Mâché Delft Plate.  NYS Museum - 4th Floor.  Day 1, Tuesday, August 25th: Participants visit the 1609 exhibit, study and sketch Dutch designs and make a plate using the papier-mache method of soaking paper strips in a glue mixure.  Day 2, Thursday, August 27th: Participants add base coat, finalize design and then paint their plate.  Pre-registration required by August 19.  Children ages 8 and above. Free admission. 10am-Noon.  Contact: 518-473-7154.

Pre-School Story Time.  Johnstown Public Library.  Free admission.  10:30-11am.  Contact:  518-762-8317.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.  Saratoga National Golf Club.  Charity golf tournament - Lunch, awards ceremony and buffet dinner after golf.  $350.  Lunch & Registration at 11:30am, tee off at 1pm.  contact:  212-521-5327.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.  Jockey Recreation Center. "La Fiesta" (traditional folk arts of the backstretch celebration) festival, music, traditional arts.  Free admission (cost for food).  5-8pm.  Contact: 518-584-0400 x 120.

Grant Seminar.  United Methodist Church, Northville.  Funding opportunities are available for artistic and cultural events taking place in Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties from January 2010 through December 2010.  Free informational seminars on Tuesday, August 25th & Thursday, August 27th.  For information or application and guidelines, go to our website.  Free admission.  6:30-7:30pm.  Contact: 518-254-0611.

Bruce Springsteen. Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  7:30 p.m.  Contact 518-583-3045 for ticket information.

Wednesday, August 26th

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 Grandstand or Clubhouse admission coupons available at all Stewart's Shops.

Stewart's Shops Ice Cream Eating Contest. 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!

Songs from the Piano Bench. NYS Museum - 4th Floor.  Listen in while enjoying lunch or lend your voice as singers perform a variety of songs, including popular folk, rock-and-roll, Victorian parlor, Civil War, Sesame Street, and more. Many selections are chosen from the more than 35,000 pieces of sheet music in the New York State Library Collection. Music and words are provided and instrumentalists are welcome. Free admission. Noon-2pm. Contact: 518-474-2274.

Non-Profit (Belmont Child Care Association). Gideon Putnam Hotel. Auction/Dinner/Dance fundraiser for Anna House - Early childhood education center at Belmont Park Racetrack. Admission is $250.00 per person. 6:30pm-midnight. Contact: 516-527-4746.

Supercross. 3072 State Route 10, Caroga Lake, 12032. Join in or come as a spectator to watch high-performance off-road motorcycles race on a dirt track over jumps and through obstacles.  Admission is $8. 7-11pm. Contact: 518-835-6445.

The Moody Blues.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 8:00 p.m.  Contact 518-583-3045 for ticket information.

Thursday, August 27th

Thoroughbred Racing.  Saratoga Race Course. Featured Race: The New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Hdcp. (GI) $100,000. Post time: 1pm.

Ronald McDonald House Charities. Rail Pavilion. "Come to Our House". Fans of fashion will be treated to fine designs from the area's best boutiques, an elaborate luncheon buffet and a silent auction at the 11th Annual Saratoga Fashion Show. Runway models will feature the latest in design and millenary wear to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, a home-like environment providing  comfort, support and respite for families of seriously ill children. Admission is $150. 11am-1pm. Contact: 518-438-2655.

Music Jam. NYS Museum - 4th Floor. Take a lunch-time musical break or join the musicians as they play acoustic music inspired by the Celtic tradition of jigs, reels, waltzes, hornpipes and marches, as well as occasional popular songs, jazz standards and early music. All levels of skill on any acoustic instruments are welcome. Please bring several copies of sheet music for those who do not play by ear for the tunes that are not commonly known. Free admission. Noon-2pm. Contact: 518-486-2024.

Travers Festival Children's Parade. Congress Park.  Children will dress in their cowboy and cowgirl themed costumes and will meet at the Spirit of Life statue at 5 pm.   Parade will begin at 5:30 pm and the children will walk the sidewalks to the City Center.  Free.  Sponsored by the DBA.  Contact:  518-587-8635.

9th Annual Travers Celebration.  Saratoga Race Course.  An evening of dinner and dancing to honor the winner of last year's Travers Stakes, Colonel John.  Proceeds benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team and the Double H Ranch.  $300 per person, $3,000 for preferred table of 10.  Contact:  518-584-6200 ext. 4233. 

Friday, August 28th

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

12th Annual Battle of the Brews. Saratoga Race Course. Visitors 21 and older get the chance to taste a variety of brews and vote on their favorites.  $25 (includes tasting glass).  Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.  Noon-4:30 pm.  Contact:  518-792-6545.

Non-Profit (The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery).  Tang Museum Roof.  Upbeat on the Roof.  "Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys".  Free. 7-8:30 pm.  Contact:  518-580-5530.

Senior Services of Albany Foundation.  National Museum of Racing.  Travers Wine Tasting - A wine and food tasting with more than 100 fine wines from around the globe! $135 per person. 7-10:30 pm.  Contact:  518-388-9240

Saturday, August 29th

Travers Day.  Saratoga Race Course.  Featured Races:  The Shadwell Travers Stakes (GI) $1,000,000; The NetJets King's Bishop Stakes (GI) $300,000; The Ballerina (GI) $300,000; The Ballston Spa Handicap (GII) $200,000; The Victory Ride (GIII) $100,000.  Post Time:  11:35 am.  Gates open at 7 am. 

Saratoga Invitational Rugby Tournament.  Northside Recreation Field, Saratoga Springs.  9 am - 5 pm.  Men's Tournament.  Free admission.  Contact:  518-447-3074.

Creative Art Day.  New York State Museum.  Familes participate in artful activities based on a museum exhibit.  Free admission.  1-3 pm.  Contact:  518-473-7154.

Sunday, August 30th

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

Community Health and Wellness Expo. Johnson Hall State Historic Site, Johnstown.  Come and enjoy free classes and sessions concerning your health.  This expo will feature yoga, tai chi, nutrition, martial arts, aerobics and more.  Vendors welcome ($15 small table, $20 large table).  Spectator involvement strongly encouraged.  Sponsored by Martial Arts and Me.  Free admission.  1-5 pm.  Contact:  518-762-1533.

All Festival Long - August 22-30

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.  7-9:30 am.  Large groups should call in advance for reservations.  Contact:  518-584-6200.

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 8 am, with additional tours every 15 minutes and the last tour departs at 9:15 am.  Daily except for Tuesdays and Travers Day.  Contact:  518-584-6200.

New York Lottery.  On-site display in the Big Red Springs backyard area.  Display will be selling lottery tickets every day except for Travers Day and 8/30. 

Northville Celebrates the Adirondack Chair.  Chairs on display at local business establishments in Northville (NCAC walking tour maps available).  Come see 14 magnificent Adirondack chairs painted by many well-known artists like Rhea Costello, Connie Dodge and Marion Kratky.  Place a silent auction bid!  Sponsored by the Northville United Presbyterian Church, their gift to the community and visitors.  Free admission.  Contact:  518-863-2363.

Dutch Apple-New York State Museum Hudson Heritage Cruise.  NYS Museum.  Join "Henrietta Hudson" for a narrated exploration of the Hudson River to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration.  The two-hour cruise covers important sites along the shoreline, as well as the history of the Dutch in Albany and interactions between the newcomers and Native People.  The boat leaves from the Steamboat square dock in downtown Albany.  For more information, visit www.dutchapplecruises.com.  Admission is $16.09.  11 am - 1 pm.  Contact:  518-463-0220.

Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) Dawgdom, 441 Broadway.  HOPE Quarter Derby - a mock run of the Travers using a replica of Saratoga Race Course to show progress of fundraising efforts.  HOPE will be raffling off a custom painted portrait of the winner's pet!  Free admission.  3-8 pm.  Contact:  518-664-8972 or 518-428-2994.

1609.  NYS Museum - Exhibition Hall.  This exhibition introduces visitors to information about Henry Hudson, Native People of New York and the Dutch period in New York State by dispelling some commonly held myths and showing the legacy these groups left to the residents of the state and the nation.  Free admission, donations accepted.  9:30 am - 5 pm.  Contact:  518-474-5877.

Berenice Abbott's Changing New York:  A Triumph of Public Art Crossroads Gallery.  NYS Museum.  This exhibition features the New York State Museum's 40 original prints from "Changing New York" with traditional images from the museum of the City of New York.  Commentary has been provided by Bonnie Yochelson, an authority on Abbott's epic project.  Free admission, donations accepted.  9:30 am - 5 pm.  Contact:  518-474-5877.