Cue the fireworks
Downtown's July 4 popped off with perfect weather, live music and tons of kid-approved fun.
This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
It was about as idyllic an evening as one could ask for.
Saratoga’s first July 4 block party built to coincide with the inaugural July 4th Racing Festival had it all: perfect weather, friendly vibes and a real flex of a fireworks finale.
“It’s a party in the U.S.A.,” was blasting from the Caroline Street stage as we walked onto the scene Friday evening, the chorus to the Miley Cyrus hit the perfect soundtrack for the crowd of red, white and blue-clad spectators. The kids wore silly balloon hats made for them by the famous Mr. Twisty, mesmerized by the music played by J Yager and Jukebox Rebellion.
Moving along from one festive scene to the next, we spotted FOX Sports’ Acacia Clement on a rare casual night out with her mom, horse owner and OTTB advocate Sherrie Courtney; and Chamber President Todd Shimkus, fresh off of vacation but back in time to catch the festivities. We wandered downtown’s side streets, taking in all of the blankets and camping chairs set up hours before the fireworks. Kids happily sported whimsical face-painting by Amanda L. Chovan and Jennifer Pease.
“I want to hear you sing,” the great Garland Nelson was telling the crowd at the second stage, on Ellsworth Jones Place, as we neared the City Center. With his Soul Session band, he expertly led the crowd through a goosebumps-inducing rendition of “Stand By Me” before kicking it up a notch with “Twist and Shout,” “Shut Up and Dance With Me” and “We Found Love.”
We then ran into Saratoga’s historian, Sean Kelleher, and his merry band of re-eanactors. After the music, he read the Preamble to the Constitution to kick off the 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. If it’s one thing the powers-that-be have perfected, it’s the annual fireworks set off from the roof of the City Center parking garage. It’s a hefty show, choreographed with the colorful dazzlers expertly accented by white sparkle, only to crescendo into a two-part grand finale.
If the evening seemed extra-special, that’s because it had twice the force. The special July 4th Racing Festival created the opportunity to combine the Chamber’s “All-American Celebration” on the Fourth of July with the Downtown Business Association (DBA)’s “Celebrate Saratoga” that marks the start of the meet. The City Center rounded out the three-way partnership.
Positively Saratoga stories are commissioned by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
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