The annual music festival that has been taking place in the Spa City for more than 15 years attempts to retain people for one last weekend of racing and entertainment as the season comes to a close.
The event features numerous local musical acts at various locations throughout the city’s downtown area on Sat. Aug. 30 and Sun. Aug. 31. A total of nine bands will perform at this year’s festival with musical genres that range from barbershop and jazz to folk and country. It is free and open to the public.
Susan Farnsworth, event coordinator for the past 11 years, said the festival will likely draw approximately 15,000 people into the city’s downtown streets over the course of the two-day event. Nonetheless, she said attendance is completely dependent upon the weather.
“It’s is a great way for families and residents to celebrate the end of the racing season,” Farnsworth said. “We just hope everyone will come out and have a good time.”
Farnsworth said “Hats Off to Saratoga,” which takes place during the first weekend of the season, usually brings in around 20,000 people due to a high influx of tourists who are entering the city. She said Final Stretch frequently receives less of a turnout because most of the tourists have packed up and left the city following the Travers Stakes. However, 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin is set to run in the Woodward Stakes on Saturday, a move that could keep tourists around for one extra weekend.
For more information, visit www.saratoga.org. Event organizers also would like to remind attendees that “Final Stretch” like “Hats Off” is for human residents only so they advise attendees to leave their pets at home.
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