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After a two-year absence, Downtown Saratoga Springs will once again host its hugely popular “biggest New Year's celebration north of Times Square” — with some exciting enhancements being added to the legacy format of past editions.

Now billed as the Saratoga New Year's Fest, the event is described as “version 2.0 of First Night,” which for over two decades has drawn thousands to the Spa City for a multi-venue stroll of entertainment, a 5K road race and fireworks.  This name change was forced, in part, due to certain First Night franchise terms that prevented key changes planned as part of this revive & reinvent project.

 

While the Legacy Stroll (aka: The Venue Hop) continues, those new tweaks include:

• An emphasis on nationally
touring entertainment

• The movement of the 5K Road Race to New Year's Day and to downtown

• The return of fireworks, now scheduled for 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve

• The inclusion of certain local venues that were formerly forbidden from participating

• The allowance of alcohol

• A pre-Fest kick-off show on Friday night

Highlighting the Musical Lineup are:

• Canadian legends Cowboy Junkies

• 'Dorm Rock' kingpins The Samples

• 90's indie singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines

• The Grammy-winning, Garcia-inspired Deadgrass

• Jazz charts-topping funksters the
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

• Nashville's rising star Jenny Grace

• Reggae sensation Mighty Mystic

• Plus: High Peaks Band, Peter Parcek Blues, Comedy, Jazz, and much more…

Cowboy Junkies

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Jeffrey Gaines

Jenny Grace Band

Mighty Mystic

The Samples

The five saviors of this sorely-missed City attraction are a unique public/private/nonprofit partnership of local entities: The City of Saratoga Springs, The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, Saratoga City Center and The 398Group. This consortium provided the proper startup capital and developed the new strategic plan. The 398Group's principal Robert Millis acts as the fest's producer.

The City's business community has since stepped up as well; all “believing in the mission” and whose involvement secures the Fest's sustainability a number of years into the future:

Death Wish Coffee (Title Sponsor),

Adirondack Trust Company,
Bonacio Construction, Colwell Law Group, Stewart’s Shops, Saratoga Springs Special Assessment District, Hunt Real Estate,
DA Collins, Price Chopper/Market 32,
Druthers Brewing Company, Holiday Inn, Marriott,
The Saratoga Hilton, Caruso Construction.

Pricing is VERY reasonable: $25 ($20 advance) for VENUE HOP badges & $100 ($75 advance) for the VIP Experience. Kids under-16 are free if accompanied.

Track the Fest's progress or buy tickets at www.SaratogaNewYearsFest.com.  

@SaratogaNewYearsFest