SAFE CELEBRATION
First-ever Saratoga Spooktacular event to benefit SPAC
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Local families are invited to participate in the upcoming first-ever Saratoga Spooktacular drivethru trick- or-treat celebration, a safe and socially- distant alternative to traditional Halloween festivities.
The two- day family-friendly event, hosted by Mazzone Hospitality to benefit Saratoga Performing Arts Center, will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31 on the SPAC grounds at Saratoga Spa State Park.
Attendees are welcome to don their Halloween costumes and travel the SPAC grounds by car while collecting individually-wrapped candy from numerous stations represented by local companies and organizations.
Each station will feature festive Halloween décor and will deliver candy to trick-or-treaters in a socially- distanced manner.
Reservations are required and will be available in 15-minute increments for $6 per vehicle (plus applicable ticket fees). Each vehicle may contain up to six people.
Reservations will be accepted on a first- come, first-served basis at MazzoneHospitality.com, and will be capped at approximately 500 vehicles per evening.
Proceeds from the Saratoga Spooktacular will benefit SPAC, which was forced to suspend programming this summer due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic.
“Trick-or-treating is something kids look forward to every October, but we can’t ignore the health and safety concerns this year surrounding traditional Halloween activities,” Mazzone Hospitality Vice President of Catering Sean Willcoxon said in a press release. “Saratoga Spooktacular will serve as a fun and innovative way for kids and families to enjoy Halloween from the safety of their own cars while benefiting SPAC, one of the Northeast’s most treasured performing arts venues and cultural destinations.”
SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said the organization is grateful to Mazzone Hospitality for creating a fun and safe activity that allows families to celebrate Halloween, while also benefiting SPAC during what has been an extremely difficult time for all venues.
“Though our amphitheater has been closed for our traditional season, SPAC has been reimagining its programming in order to continue to welcome and serve the community. This event is a perfect follow up to all the ‘SPAC REIMAGINED’ programming we have been doing,” she said.
SPAC’s reimagined 2020 season includes previously announced community events such as SPAC’s partnership with COESA to present the healing arts with Tai Chi and guided meditation classes; the SPAC REIMAGINED ballet shorts featuring New York City
Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; the virtual Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions and Beethoven 2020 Festival; the SPAC @ Home Concert Series with Joshua Bell; and the on-going SPAC Learning Library. In addition, the Center has opened up its campus to various arts-related activities for children and young people.
Catering, dining and events company Mazzone Hospitality; marketing agency EdLewi Associates; and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce are each donating their services to organize and spearhead the Saratoga Spooktacular.
A list of participating candy station sponsors and organizations will be announced shortly.
All attendees will be required to wear facial coverings and maintain proper social distancing. Safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be strictly followed and enforced, as will New York State guidelines for events and gatherings.