saratoga-370.jpgSaratoga Springs, N.Y.  - World-class Thoroughbred horse racing, the performing arts, historical sites and much more await visitors to Saratoga this summer. The 142nd year at historic Saratoga Race Course features an expanded 40-day racing schedule, opening on Friday, July 23rd and continuing through Labor Day, Monday, September 6th.  As part of the racing meet's festivities, the Hats Off To Saratoga Festival, to be held July 23rd- 25th, will feature sunset racing, a hat contest and live downtown musical performances.  The running of the oldest stakes race in the country is on Saturday, August 28th with the 141st Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes.  The Final Stretch Festival will be September 4th - 6th and will include sunset racing, a family fun fest, graded stakes races and downtown music on Saturday and Sunday nights.   A complete schedule of events is available online at http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html, while getaway package and festival information can be found at http://www.saratoga.org/.    Performances are already underway at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), but its summer classical season opens with the 33rd Annual Freihofer's Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th, featuring Gladys Knight, along with other renowned jazz artists.  The New York City Ballet returns for its 44th summer residency in Saratoga July 6th through July 17th showcasing sixteen ballets, including Balanchine's full-length "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  SPAC will host The Philadelphia Orchestra August 4th through August 21st, highlighted by actor Alec Baldwin narrating "Peter and the Wolf."  SPAC is also home to several major music concerts in 2010 including:  Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, Chicago & The Doobie Brothers, Celtic Women, Sting, John Mayer and many more.  Visitors can find more information on performances at http://www.spac.org/.   Visitors can relive one of the most important battles in world history at Saratoga National Historical Park, site of the "Turning Point" of the American Revolution.  The park is host to numerous events throughout the year, including guided walks and bike rides, reenactments, July 4th citizenship ceremony and weekend-long celebration September 18th & 19th for the 233rd Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga.  For more information and schedule of events go online to www.nps.gov/sara.    The tradition of polo in Saratoga dates back to 1898 and continues today during Saratoga Polo's 2010 season, which begins July 9th and runs through Labor Day.  Visitors can find live harness racing and over 1,700 gaming machines at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, which also has a popular nightclub and dining options.  Visitors can also check out the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which has interactive exhibits and a horse racing simulator.          Saratoga County has a number of museums, art galleries and historic landmarks, including the New York State Military Museum, Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery at Skidmore College, Grant's Cottage, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, Brookside Museum and the Children's Museum at Saratoga.  For a complete list of museums, art galleries and historical sites, go online to http://www.saratoga.org/visitors/things_to_do_in_saratoga_county/saratoga-museums-history.asp.   Saratoga County is also rich in affordable, high quality golf courses, including the award-winning Saratoga National Golf Club.  Named one of the Top 100 public courses in America by Golf Digest, it is one of fourteen courses to tee off at in the area.  Special golf getaway packages are available online at http://www.saratoga.org/visitors/golf.Visitors interested in spending time outdoors will find over 10,000 acres of parks, trails, lakes, rivers and scenic beauty nestled between the banks of the Hudson River and the southern foothills of the Adirondacks.   A visit to Saratoga is economical with a number of event and festival stay packages that include attractions, dining and special gifts.  For more getaway package details or for a free travel guide, visitors can go online to http://www.saratoga.org/ or call 1-800-526-8970.   About Saratoga, New York   Saratoga's attractions and spectacular scenery have made it a premier Northeast destination for centuries.  Located approximately three hours from New York, Montreal and Boston, Saratoga features world-class horse racing, the performing arts, gaming, polo, award-winning golf courses, museums - including three National museums, a National Battlefield, Victorian architecture, great shopping, plentiful outdoor activities and so much more.   Visitor information is available online at http://www.saratoga.org/ or by calling 1-800-526-8970.  The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is the official Tourism Promotion Agency of Saratoga County, New York.

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Contact: Greg Dixon Vice President, Tourism Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce 518-584-3255 http://www.saratoga.org/