Saratoga Race Course to Host Irish-American Heritage Day on August 2

by Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will continue the decade long tradition of celebrating the culture of those of Irish-American descent during the annual Irish-American Heritage Day at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 2. 

The day-long festivities will feature Irish music, dance, entertainment and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion. The day's third race will be named in honor of the celebration.

Fans are encouraged to celebrate by wearing green and decorating their backyard picnic tables with Irish-themed décor.

Step dancers from The Boland School of Irish Dance will greet guests at the grandstand and clubhouse entrances beginning at 11 a.m. Dancers with The Boland School of Irish Dance will perform trackside at approximately 2:10 p.m. following the day's third race. 

Performances from An Clar School of Irish Dance, The Boland School of Irish Dance and Bethlehem Traditional Irish Dance will take place at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion throughout the day. Local bands Emerald Dawn and Good Things Band will also perform during the afternoon.

A number of chefs from the greater Capital Region will provide tastings and cooking demonstrations of classic Irish dishes inside the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion during the afternoon, including:

• Traditional Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Cheese Spread
• Split Pea Soup with Ham
• Finn McCool Salmon Cakes
• Irish Sausage Wrapped in Puff Pastry
• Irish Bread Pudding with Apples and Irish Whiskey Sauce

Traditional Irish food and beverage offerings will also be available for purchase at select concessions throughout the venue including: Stout Battered Onion Rings, Irish Quesadilla's, Irish Stew, Guinness Fish & Chips, Corned Beef sandwiches, Irish coffee and beer & spirits specials.

Acclaimed exhibits highlighting Irish culture, traditions and history will be on display at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion throughout the day. Participating organizations include the Irish American Heritage Museum; Irish American Chefs; Albany Irish Rowing Club; Albany Rebels Gaelic Football Team; Irish 2000; Kate Mullany National Historic Site; Capital District Irish American Association; Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Reserved seats at Saratoga Race Course, including reserved tables in the Miller Lite Picnic Paddock and Fourstardave Sports Bar, are available through www.Ticketmaster.com.

The 2017 season at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call 518-584-6200 or visit www.NYRA.com/Saratoga