A PARTY ALL OVER TOWN
Thousands expected to welcome the new year in downtown district
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Thousands of area residents and visitors are expected to ring in the new year throughout the Spa City this weekend at the annual First Night Saratoga.
With Light Up the Night as its new theme, the popular New Year’s Eve festival -- featuring more than 70 live entertainment performances including music, theater, comedy and magic -- is expected to attract more than 15,000 people to start off 2018 in Saratoga Springs.
“First Night Saratoga is the largest New Year’s Eve event in New York outside of [ New York City] and as one of the oldest First Night celebrations in the country, this all-ages event is the most affordable, accessible, safe and exciting way to spend New Year’s Eve in the region,” said a news release from organizers at Saratoga Arts.
Festivities will run from 6 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve at multiple indoor venues in the city’s historic downtown district.
Some highlights of this year’s lineup are Boston-based magician Scott Jameson, guitarist Mike Campese, comic hypnotist Michael Ray, Celtic rock band Hellcat Maggie, racing City Chorus, Shakespeare Approves, Harold Ford, Bob Malone, Annie & the Hedonists, Jimy Graham and 2015 winner of The Voice Sawyer Fredericks.
Due to increased popularity, Saratoga Arts has included more mind arts acts this year such as America’s Master Mentalist Jon Stetson and a Tarot workshop with Patrice Gandalfa.
While all First Night events are family-friendly and alcoholfree, there will be some programming specifically for children like Bubble Trouble, Uncharted Wild Reptiles, Planetarium Adventures and Silent Wing Raptors set up at Lake Avenue School.
From the annual First Night 5K, now in its 20th year as an offi- cial kick-off for the evening, to the fireworks spectacle at midnight in Congress Park, First Night Saratoga offers a wide variety of activities for festival-goers to enjoy.
First Night buttons, which serve as the means of admission to all First Night events and provided shuttle transportation between venues, are available for $20 each at area Price Choppers, Stewart’s Shops and Adirondack Trusts as well as the Saratoga Arts building on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
Buttons can also be bought online at saratoga-arts.org.
Saratoga Arts admits one child aged 12 and younger for free to all First Night events with the purchase of one adult button.
Along with transportation to and from event venues, Capital District Transportation Authority will also provide shuttle service to the Wilton Mall parking lot and Skidmore College.
Additional information about First Night Saratoga 2018, including a full festival schedule, is available online at saratoga-arts. org/firstnight.