Red, white and raceday
For the first time, Saratoga’s July 4th celebration fuses family fun, fireworks — and the opening of the Spa.
This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Saratoga’s Fourth of July celebrations are fusing together with the opening of Saratoga Race Course for the first time — thanks to the inaugural July 4th Racing Festival that kicks off Thursday, July 3 and runs through Sunday.
This special week of racing between the Belmont and the regular meet created the perfect opportunity to combine July’s festivities for the first time: the Chamber’s “All-American Celebration” on the Fourth of July, and the Downtown Business Association (DBA)’s “Celebrate Saratoga” to mark the start of the meet.
“It just made sense,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, “to treat the July 4th weekend as the opening of 2025.”
The souped-up hoopla includes two live music performance areas, a reading about the importance of Saratoga’s being America’s Turning Point, face-painting (by the popular Amanda L. Chovan and Jennifer Pease), caricatures drawn by Joe Ferris — and of course, the fireworks, which will be shot from the top of the City Center’s parking garage around 9 p.m. The City Center is the third partner for the festivities.
“Mr. Twisty is positively poppin’ with excitement!” says Chad “Mr. Twisty” Currin, who will be on hand at Ellsworth Jones Place from 7 to 9 p.m. “I’ll be twisting up wacky wonders, cracking corny jokes, and spreading all kinds of Twisty-style silliness at the fabulously fun pre-fireworks party. And guess what? I’ve conjured up a one-of-a-kind Fireworks Balloon Wand just for the occasion! It doesn’t explode—but it wiggles with whimsy, swirls with sparkle, and zings with zing! It’s the perfect way to get in the spirit before the big show in the sky. I hope you'll come join the fun!”
Also at Ellsworth Jones Place (park at the City Center; the performance area is on the south side between Broadway and Maple) during that time: Garland Nelson and his Soul Session band.
“Given that Soul Session’s home city is Saratoga Springs, we’re so honored and blessed to celebrate our country’s birthday on our home court,” Nelson says. “It brings me such joy a Saratoga resident — it’s my community duty to local residents, families, children and out-of-town guests. Yo, this city has it going on!”
J Yager of Jukebox Rebellion will be on Caroline Street during the same time slot.
“With so many folks in town for a weekend of Independence Day racing, we expect a huge crowd to celebrate,” says J Yager of Jukebox Rebellion. “And we won't let them down. It's going to be an epic street party!"
Before the fireworks go off around 9 p.m., Sean Kelleher, a local re-enactor, will give a short speech to the crowd on Ellsworth Jones Place to explain how the Battles of Saratoga were the Turning Point of the American Revolution and how that victory helped to create Independence Day. This is part of an effort to promote the 250th Anniversary of this important milestone coming up in 2027.
“Saratoga has the best Fourth of July in Upstate New York, and I'm lucky to add to the festivities with my caricature art!” Ferris says. “I'm gonna make a one-of-a-kind picture for people to treasure this special night of the year!”
During the event, Ben and Jerry's will be selling ice cream from their carts on both Ellsworth Jones Place and Caroline Street.
"I am so excited to be a part of a this because of the people,” says face painter Chovan. “It is really wonderful to be invited to be a part of this!”
Positively Saratoga stories are commissioned by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
