MAGICAL NIGHT
Victorian Streetwalk set for 33rd edition in downtown district
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.
>> The upcoming Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk is gearing up to be magical night in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The event, now in its 33rd year, is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Spa City’s downtown district. For the occasion, Broadway will be closed to traffic from 5 to 9 p.m. from the Route 50 arterial to the Spring Street intersection.
To start the familyfriendly festival, The Racing City Chorus will serenade the crowd surrounding the holiday trees at Putnam Market beginning at 5:45pm as the children await Santa and Mrs. Claus’s arrival by horse and carriage.
Then, Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly will light the trees at 6 p.m.
Immediately following the tree lighting will be the start of the Santa Parade, featuring the Avant Garde Alumni Drum Line and Color Guard kicking off the evening starting at the Saratoga SpringsCity Center, playing all the way down Broadway.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be escorted in by Santa’s elves, the Dance Factory of Saratoga and performers from the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.
Santa, Clara, elves and Rumple Dumple will visit with children throughout the evening in the Santa Cottage located at the center of Broadway.
The opportunity for visits with Santa in the Santa Cottage will begin on Dec. 5 and continue throughout the month of December.
Victorian Streetwalk attendees can enjoy more than 40 sites with free entertainment, including the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Select High School Choir, Salvation Army Brass Band, Spa City Duo, Saratoga Springs Fire Department Fire Truck, Saratoga Abundant Life Church, Shenendehowa MS Select Choir, Saratoga City Ballet, St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church Choir, A capella and brass groups from Skidmore College, Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus, Sax-OClaus,, Six Penny Bit, Bobby Dick and Susie Q, Waldorf A capella, Corinth Select Chorus, Capitaland Chorus, John & Orion Kribs, Justin Charles, Dance Factory of Saratoga, Schwa Capella, Mother Goose, Hammer
Dulcimer Music, Er Go Blu, Octavo Singers, Bert Pagano, Two Principals, Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, Victorian Juggler, Newfoundland Dog Club, Octavo Singers, Shenendehowa Ambassadors Choir, Tim Wechgelaer, Ed Stander, Sonny & Perley Duo, Living Nativity, Catholic Charities Festival of Trees, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Toy Soldier, face painting, magic, balloon art Victorian Keepsake Photos and the Saratoga County 4-H gingerbread house display.
Strolling amidst the crowds will be the cast from the Homemade Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Carolers from Galway Players, Ebeneezer Scrooge and Company from The Christmas Carol Experience and Victorian carolers.
Guests can stop by the Saratoga Springs Post Office with their stamped Christmas card envelopes and get them canceled with the specially designed 33rd Anniversary Victorian Streetwalk cancellation for free.
CDTA will offer free shuttle buses every 20 minutes from the following locations: Empire State College parking lot at 111 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs; NYRA’s Oklahoma track just off Exit 14 of I-87, Gate 21 on the corner of East Ave and Union Ave; the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame on South Broadway; and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center parking lot on Route 50. These shuttles will run to and from downtown from 4:30 through 9 p.m.
As a Saratoga Springs City Ordinance for all large events, pet owners are encouraged to leave their animals at home.
More information about the 33rd annual Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk is available online at www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com.