At the track: Just who is allergic to horses?
Solomon Northup comes to life. Warren County tourism last year was fabulous.
Welcome to the “Lunch Break” email from the editors of Saratoga Dispatch.
2024 was a great tourism year.
Visitors spent nearly $2.5 billion in the Adirondack Region last year, up slightly from $2.3 billion the year prior, with Warren County representing 37 percent of the region’s tourism sales ($928 million), slightly trailing only Essex County at 39 percent ($964 million), a press release from Warren County says.
The latest statewide tourism impact study compiled by travel data firm Tourism Economics, underscores the Adirondack Region’s heavy reliance on its tourism sector despite its six counties raking in just 2 percent of the more than $94 billion total visitor spending statewide.
This report, online here, defines the Adirondack Region as the entirety of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Lewis and Warren counties.
The annual report found that once again tourism was more important to the Adirondack Region’s economy last year than that of any other region in the state. The industry directly generates nearly 19 percent of all employment here, the press release says.
In 2024, Warren County which includes much of the Lake George shoreline, the Six Flags theme park, and the Gore Mountain ski area, sustained the most tourism jobs in the Adirondack Region at 8,610.
Regional visitor spending last year reached nearly $2.5 billion throughout Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Lewis and Warren counties, an increase in direct spending of around 4.5%. That spending generated more than $153.7 million in local tax revenue, an increase of 2.3 percent over last year, and $136 million in state tax revenue, an increase of 4.9 percent over last year, according to the report.
Visitor spending in Warren County last year reached nearly $928.2 million compared with $887.8 million in 2023, an increase in direct spending of around 4.5 percent.
The local lodging industry saw the most notable bump in visitor spending, from $446 million in 2023 to $467 million last year. That spending generated more than $58.2 million in local tax revenue, an increase of 2.8 percent over last year, and $54.5 million in state tax revenue, an increase of 5.2 percent over last year, according to the report
— from a Warren County press release.
Clifford Oliver Mealy presents Becoming Solomon Northup
Victoria Pool House, 58 Roosevelt Ave. Saratoga Springs.
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
FREE, no registration required.
Upon starting a job with the Bureau of Historic Sites for New York State as a photographer, Mealy moved to Greenwich in Washington County in 1992. He walked into the local library where he was handed a first edition from the reference collection of “12 Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup. He could not put it down.
It was then he realized he not only didn't know anything about history, he didn't know anything about his own history. He took up the mantle interpreting Northup and 25 years later is known throughout the state for his thoughtful, soulful, and empathetic portrayal. Mealy will discuss Northup's life before and after the abduction and the lessons he has learned from becoming Solomon Northup.
The presentation is part of OPRHP's Solomon Northup "Hope Out of Darkness" statue series. The sculpture is on display in front of the Lincoln Bathhouse (65 South Broadway Saratoga Springs) at Saratoga Spa State Park until Oct. 7.
Accessibility Note : Due to its historic nature, the Victoria Pool House has steps leading into the space. A ramp is located at the 58 Roosevelt Bar and Grill entrance, but a single stair leads into the Victoria Pool House room.
WHO at the track is allergic to horses?!
Top 3 endearing (or just plain funny) fun facts about some very familiar faces, to close out track season.
By: Abby Tegnelia
Fun fact No. 1: Frank Mirahmadi is allergic to horses.
“I'm allergic to horses, I swear to God,” Frank Mirahmadi told me during a “3rd Race Call” visit to the announcer’s booth, a daily activity — there are still a few tickets left for this final weekend — that raises funds for Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST). “Thank you for supporting BEST,” he continued. “They're helping people on the backstretch, and I like that. You won't find me on the backstretch though.” Instead, Saratoga’s announcer of three years stays perched in his booth, the highest spot at the track — and thus both the best vantage point for calling and the farthest from any animals.
But obviously, when you’re the announcer at a horse track and allergic to horses, high jinks will ensue…
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