T-Swift reading about Saratoga?
BUT FIRST: A photo-op for the Krampus-obsessed.
✈️Transit day!
Flying to the west coast. If I missed anything while in the air, Dispatchers, we’ll grab it tomorrow. Safe travels, to everyone on the move.
📷Photo-op for the Krampus-obsessed
Krampus was not on my holiday Bingo card until Marcella Hammer — who else — innocently texted, asking if I knew any local events.
I did not.
But now I do!
On Sunday, from noon to 2 p.m., stop by High Peaks Canna (21+) for a photo op with the man himself. "We already have a life sized Krampus outside that people love to do photo ops with,” says owner Roger “Budfather” Sharp. “People comment on how lovely our decorations are and wish more stores would kick it up for the holidays. Krampus is part of Christmas lore, and we like to include all aspects of Christmas. Plus, regualtinos say we can not be appealing to children, so we figured Krampus is scary AF!”
Approved Hammer, “My dream came true.”
Pictures with Krampus, High Peaks Canna, 137 Maple Ave., Sunday 12 to 2 p.m.
📚Taylor Swift: reading about Saratoga?
Okay, not exactly. But not a lie either! In Episode 1 of her Disney+ docu-series The End of an Era, Taylor Swift is seen listening to an audio book, and Swifties worldwide Olivia Benson-ed (IYKYK) the excerpt in record time. The book being listened to by the pop icon? Liz Moore’s masterpiece novel The God of the Woods, which is filled with mentions of Saratoga Springs. The mystery set in the Adirondacks is a must-read, and Moore herself is a frequent visitor to the Spa City — she even headlined our local book fest the year the book came out.
Gen Z star raves about Saratoga
I was so excited to see Gen Z jazz phenom Stella Cole, but by the time her Sunday concert came around (at Arthur Zankel, as part of SPAC’s holiday weekend of shows), I was way too sick. Looks like she gave quite a performance! And I’m just such a sucker for pro-Saratoga spirit…luckily, my pal Jonathon Norcross was on the scene.
“In between her renditions of jazz standards and Christmas tunes, the New York City-based Cole said she’d been to Saratoga before during the summer months,” he writes in this week’s Saratoga Today. He quotes her as saying: “I love Saratoga; it’s the best” and “Do you guys know you live in a Hallmark movie?”
🍳Fave diner, festive edition
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
SantaCon was a smart idea for a TikTok video setting — grab ‘em while they’re decked out in festive fits, and most likely have looser lips from the bar crawl of it all. (Plus, the very people who should be trusted to tell us about good diner food are the ones who might be in need of soaking up some liquid merriment.) That’s right: It sounds juicy, but the line of questing was innocuous. Another Day, Another Diner hit the streets of Saratoga to ask, “What’s your favorite diner?” Do you agree with their answers? (And do The Merc or Sweet Mimi’s count?)
[Click the above embed to watch the video, and take in all of the creative costumes — and diner votes.]
🎨Artist Profile: Rebecca Vickery — an exploration of emotional authenticity
Saratoga New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and aside from a stellar lineup that includes The Allman Betts Band and Nicotine Dolls, folks may have noticed something new about this year’s event: a fun new poster design.
Reminiscent of the days of First Night Saratoga — a previous iteration of Saratoga NYE — this year’s festive event poster (featured on all ticket-holders’ admission buttons) was designed by a local artist: Saratogian Rebecca Vickery, sales manager for the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Let’s meet her!
Q: Tell us about yourself as an artist.
A: My creative journey has been lifelong, rooted not in aspiration for perfection, but in the necessity of expression. Since childhood, crafting homemade gifts for friends and family has been a constant, defining part of my life — art is, quite simply, my love language.
I sincerely pour my heart and soul into everything I create. My work is an invitation to embrace the imperfect, the spontaneous, and to celebrate positive vibes with a bit of whimsy.
Q: What inspired the design for the Saratoga New Year’s Eve 2026 poster?
A: The eclectic vibe of this year’s performers and the unique collection of participating venues. Saratoga itself — diverse, warm, rhythmic and funky — provided the canvas for the design, to capture the city’s spirited and creative soul.
Q: What’s your favorite part of Saratoga New Year’s Eve?
A: The electrifying atmosphere.
Q: Where else can folks find your artwork?
A: Beyond specific commissions, my wider body of work can be explored through my business, For the Love of Gertie, where I specialize in upcycling used items and furniture. This entire venture is a tribute to my sweet dog, Gertie, who was my constant companion for 15 years. Her image has become my signature and logo; every item I create features her, whether subtly hidden or in full view—she can even be found affectionately placed at the bottom of the New Year’s Eve poster.
I was honored to win Best in Show for my booth presentation at the Mind Body Soul Expo, and had an amazing experience at the Beekman Street Art Fair this past summer.
Follow Rebecca Vickery on Facebook or Instagram, @fortheloveofgert.
🎟️Saratoga New Year’s Eve early bird pricing is available through Dec. 24. Premium+ tickets are already sold out, but Premium and General Admission tickets can be purchased at atuph.org (They also make fantastic holiday gifts!)
To purchase a poster (available soon!), visit Impressions of Saratoga, 445 Broadway
In pictures
🧁Congrats to the Saratoga Dessert Bar for its grand opening at the Wilton Mall food court. saratogadessertbar.com
😋Ted’s Fish Fry — love those guys — has expanded! Congrats on the new Ballston Spa location .tedsfishfry.com.
The above news was brought to you by…
Got an event (or story!) to share? Respond to this email or reach Abby at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
 | A guest post by
|
I’m blushing