Courtesy Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association
The annual Victorian Streetwalk, that would have been held Dec. 3 in downtown Saratoga Springs, will not be held this year—another victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saratoga First Night, the New Year’s Eve entertainment event, is also canceled.
Both events drew thousands of people to Saratoga Springs every year,
Normally for the Victorian Streetwalk, the main section of Broadway would be blocked off and revelers would crowd the main thoroughfare and surrounding streets.
First Night had entertainment events in many venues across the city.
But in an effort to preserve the holiday traditions, the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association has re-imagined the downtown holiday celebration for 2020.
The Saratoga Springs DBA, which has presented the traditional Victorian Streetwalk for the past 33 years, in collaboration with Discover Saratoga, is bringing an enhanced holiday look to Broadway and the downtown area for a month-long celebration called Victorian Streetscapes.
“The DBA is excited to collaborate with our partners to add the festive element for all to enjoy during this holiday season,” said Deann Devitt, president of the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association. “It has been a challenging year for our local businesses, but the outpouring of support from the community has been remarkable.
“This extra holiday cheer is a ‘thank you’ for that support and serves as a reminder that Downtown Saratoga Springs, is, in fact, a destination worth visiting.”
The official kickoff to the season took place virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3 on Facebook Live, when Mayor Meg Kelly light up the Broadway tree signifying the start of Victorian Streetscapes.
“With all of the uncertainty around us, our goal was to turn downtown Saratoga Springs into a festive respite to shop and dine safely,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga. “We hope that this will give one more reason for folks to come downtown throughout the season to take in the holiday atmosphere and of course, shop local!”
The new holiday Streetscapes theme includes the 19-foot white spruce that sits in front of Putnam Market on Broadway. The tree, donated by the Charlton School, comes from what originally started as the Christmas Tree Project. Robert Thorpe, Charlton School grounds supervisor, started the project on the school’s Burnt Hills campus 30 years ago.
“I feel very grateful that our program could support the community that has supported us for so many years,” said Alex Capo, Charlton School executive director.
In addition to the large spruce, there are 60 six-foot trees, decorated with lights, in front of storefronts throughout the downtown Saratoga area. Those trees were donated by Ellms Farm in Ballston Spa.
While Santa won’t be in his cottage in front of Putnam Market this year, children are invited to bring their letters to Santa and deposit them in a mailbox on the front of the cottage.
As an alternative to in-person visits with Santa, the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and Stewart’s Shops are bringing Santa to the children of Saratoga Springs. On six dates prior to Christmas, children are invited to catch a glimpse of Santa as he travels through Saratoga neighborhoods atop a Tower Ladder fire truck, provided by King Enterprises. Santa Is Coming To Town is sponsored by Stewart’s Shops.
The first of those trips was Dec. 3. Remaining trips include Wednesday, Dec. 16, starting at 6 p.m. in the Woodlands and Meadowbrook area; Saturday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. in the East Side area; and Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. on the south side in the Jefferson Street and Union Avenue South areas.
The 2020 Victorian Streetscapes is supported by the Saratoga Springs Special Assessment District, Stewart’s Shops and the Adirondack Trust Co.
The list of event supporters includes Discover Saratoga, The Charlton School, Saratoga Land Management Corp., Allerdice Ace Hardware, Anthony Fiorino, Dehn’s Flowers and Gifts, Ellms’s Family Farm, City of Saratoga Springs, King Enterprises, Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, Best Dressed Windows in Town, Union Hall Supply Co. and Network Saratoga LLC.
Visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com for more information.
Saratoga Arts new executive director Louise Kerr said the decision to cancel the 2020 First Night was made earlier in the year, mainly due to COVID-19.
“First and foremost is the safety, health and wellbeing of everybody, not just our performers, but obviously the general public,” Kerr said. Secondly, putting on an event like First Night takes a lot of money, which the nonprofit organization is lacking this year due to the pandemic.
Saratoga Arts was forced to close in March, like many other entities, and lost many of its normal fundraising opportunities.
Saratoga Arts is hopeful that the event will be back next year. But is has organized a new monthly event called First Thursdays. The events will involve live music and dance performances at multiple locations throughout the city.
First Thursdays will begin in January. Officials hope that program can be expanded beyond the holidays, perhaps with summer programming.,
Another series, called the Pop Up Holiday Market, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 19 at the center, featuring holiday shopping with local artists in the community.
Additionally, Saratoga Arts is currently open and exhibiting its Annual Members Show, featuring artwork created by member artists, through January 9, 2021. A virtual version of the show can also be viewed online.
More information about Saratoga Arts and its upcoming events is available online at www.saratoga-arts.org.