A FUN SUMMER AHEAD
Troy announces a long list of events for 2018 season
TROY, N.Y.» The Collar City announced its 2018 summer entertainment schedule on Tuesday, sharing details about an array of anticipated upcoming special events for residents and visitors alike.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden and several event organizers gathered at the Riverfront Plaza Staircase to reveal details about what’s in store for the coming months.
Barbecue, baseball, glassmaking, wrestling, rock concerts, farmers markets, flea markets, classic cars, classical music, steampunk and yoga are all in the lineup of events to look forward to this summer season.
In all, more than 40 events
- including musical performances, signature food festivals and more - are marked on the city’s calendar from now through September, giving locals and out- of-towners of all ages plenty of ways to enjoy Troy all season long.
“We have an exciting series of event lined up,” Madden said, adding that there’s something for every taste.
“Every year it seems Troy has more and more to offer, in terms of events during the summer, and this year is no exception,” the mayor continued. “It’s going to be a busy summer.”
The Troy Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) will once again host its Rockin’ on the River free concert series, 15th annual Troy River Fest, 11th annual Troy Pig Out food festival, Fitness in the Park free outdoor yoga
series, Troy Restaurant & Craft Beer Week and the 12th annual Troy ChowderFest.
“We’re really, really, really, really excited about everything that’s happening this summer,” BID Executive Director Katie Hammon said, adding that her group is glad to be in good company with many other event organizers who share the mission of making Troy the place to be.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary is The Enchanted City steampunk festival, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15. With the addition of the six district Inventor’s Challenge, every Trojan is encouraged to participate in their neighborhood float-making and marching in the parade. A community beautification grant will be awarded to the district who best displays the true spirit of community.
Brand new on the bill this year is the GlassBarge, a mobile glassmaking studio from the Corning Museum of Glass, that will make its way through Troy via the Hudson River, docking at Riverfront Park on June 21 and 22. This special trip is being made in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Brooklyn Flint Glass Company’s relocation to Corning via the New York Waterways. A 30’ x 80’ canal barge equipped with patented allelectric glassmaking equipment, GlassBarge shares the story of glass through live, 30-minute demonstrations. “We’re so psyched to be coming,” said Robert Cassetti, senior director of creative strategy and audience engagement at the Corning Museum of Glass, noting the amount of great support the GlassBarge has seen from the area, and calling it “a once in a lifetime opportunity to see glassblowing on the water in Troy.”
Another new event for Troy is The Great Race, a vintage car rally that will make an overnight stop in the city on Sunday, June 24.
“When the Great Race pulls into a city it becomes an instant festival,” event director Jeff Stumb said in a press release. “In 2017, we had four overnight stops with more than 10,000 spectators on our way to having 250,000 people see the Great Race during the event. We are thrilled to include Troy in this year’s event and look forward to being part of Troy’s unique summer season.”
Car enthusiasts can also enjoy the monthly Capital Region Cars & Caffeine car show from 8 a.m. to noon on the last Sunday of every month through October at local business 1945 Speed & Custom.
Sports fans are also in luck as the Tri- City ValleyCats enters its 17th season, featuring a jam-packed
lineup of special offerings and events, including a food truck festival in September and a Wrestling Under the Stars night on July 14.
Those who like wrestling will also be pumped about the third annual Headlocks on the Hudson outdoor Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling Festival held at Sage Field on June 10. This growing family-friendly event is hosted by Curby 3 style Wrestling Club. The event is open to all ages, abilities and genders, with youth athletes traveling from as far as Canada, Chicago and Maine wrestling in the event.
Back again this season for those who love to shop are the Troy Flea, which is starting a #Troydoessundaysbetter campaign, and the everpopular Troy Waterfront
Farmers’ Market, now in its 19th year.
Music-lovers have lots of options for cost-free live music this season, with not only the downtown Rockin’ on the River free concert series, but to the north in Lansingburgh the Powers Park Concert Series on Saturdays in July and August.
The nearest event on the Troy calendar, beginning this week, is the Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival with numerous local events culminating with a free outdoor concert titled The River Sings at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday at at Riverfront Park in Troy.
Additional information about these events is available online at www.troyny.gov/city-of-troy-announces2018-summer-events-schedule.