Saratoga Race Course to continue New York Heritage and Tourism Series with Adirondack Day

by Pat Mckenna; Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. will continue its New York Heritage and Tourism Series with Adirondack Day, presented by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 24. 

The day will highlight the unique history, culture and tourism attractions of the Adirondack region, which includes Lake Placid, home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. The event will take place at the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

"As one of the Northeast's leading tourism destinations, Saratoga Race Course is an ideal venue by which to promote neighboring regions in New York," said NYRA Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. "According to a study commissioned by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency, as many as four in 10 guests who visit Saratoga reside in a state other than New York and recent fan surveys indicate that 60 percent of our guests come from outside the Capital Region. Our New York Heritage and Tourism series provides a special platform for other regions of the state to reach potential new visitors."

Guests will have the opportunity to experience Adirondack life in the pioneer days with a variety of activities, including log stamping, shoe making and basket weaving. High Peaks Cyclery will provide mountain bike demonstrations throughout the afternoon and the Adirondack Wild Refuge and Rehabilitation Center will showcase live birds of prey native to the Adirondacks. 

The event will also include a craft beer tasting with numerous regional breweries, including Big Slide Brewery; Big Tupper Brewing; Great Adirondack Brewing Company; and Raquette River Brewing. Samples of fresh local farm food will be provided by Adirondack Harvest. 

Fans will have the opportunity to have their photo taken in an authentic bobsled, courtesy of the Olympic Regional Development Authority. Additionally, guests can experience the sights of the Adirondacks with virtual goggles while sitting at a mock campsite complete with a tent. 

Live entertainment will be provided by local musician Brad Hester, hailing from the band Annie in the Water, at the Saratoga Pavilion. 

A variety of other Adirondack organizations will be represented at the Pavilion, including The Adirondack Museum; Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center; Department of Environmental Conservation; Fort Ticonderoga; Olympic Regional Development Authority; Paul Smith's Visitors Interpretive Center; and The Wild Center.

The final installment of the New York Heritage and Tourism Series will highlight the tradition of craft beverages in Central New York on August 31. The day-long event will feature activities, exhibits and entertainment which showcase the renaissance of craft beer, hard cider, spirits and wine in Central New York.  

Reserved seats at Saratoga Race Course, including reserved tables in the backyard, Fourstardave Sports Bar and the Easy Goer are available through Ticketmaster.com. 

Fans are invited to begin their day with breakfast on The Porch of the clubhouse while watching the thoroughbreds train on the main track. Breakfast is held from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 12 and under. Mornings at Saratoga also welcome fans to go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour. Tram tours begin at 7:30 a.m. and depart from the clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes through 9 a.m. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length. 

The 2016 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 5. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.