NEWSLETTER
Delegation of European Spa Specialists Coming to Saratoga Spa State Park to Honor Parks and City’s Cultural Importance
Saratoga Springs, NY – From October 8 to October 10, Saratoga Spa State Park and the City of Saratoga will welcome a delegation of over 20 leading spa experts, organized by the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). This group is visiting to celebrate Saratoga's deep cultural ties to European spa traditions and to explain the significance of being a Spa Town, along with how that designation can promote tourism and strengthen the local community.
Saratoga is renowned for its mineral waters and has been recognized by EHTTA’s Scientific Committee as the premier example of a historic Spa Town in the United States. According to the European interpretation, a Spa Town must meet the following criteria:
- Have an active water source used for bathing or drinking as part of a thermal spa or wellness center.
- Possess a thermal architectural heritage dating back at least to the 19th century, with one or more hydrotherapy-related buildings classified as historic monuments.
- Have a tradition of cultural events, supported by the necessary infrastructure, such as theaters, concert halls, casinos, and bandstands.
- Offer high-quality accommodations with dedicated facilities for thermal activities.
“At the core of what it means to be a Spa Town are art, architecture, and health and wellness resources,” says Simone Zagrodnik, Director of EHTTA. “Since decades and hundreds of years a Spa Town has been a place that nurtures the mind, body, and soul, prepared to welcome and entertain guests and Saratoga fulfills all those requirements.”
A Press tour showcasing the State Park’s architecture, waters, and opportunities to interview European experts is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, at 11:00 a.m. Additional media opportunities are available on Wednesday, October 9, at 4:00 p.m. during the Community Festival and prior to the first-ever march of the European “Bathrobe Addicts” in the U.S.
The delegation’s visit coincides with the first annual International Spa Heritage Festival, taking place from October 9-10. All events are free and open to the public:
–Conference
Wednesday, October 9 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Location: Spa Little Theater
Free and open to the public (registration required)
Description: Presentations will be given by both American and European experts on architecture, history, art, and community development.
– Community Festival
Wednesday, October 9 | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park Reflecting Pool Lawn and Arcades
Free and open to the public (no registration required)
description: This free festival features live music, food vendors, artisan vendors, Mini Museum, Craft Beverages, and children’s activities by Saratoga Childrens Museum
– Bathrobe Event
Wednesday, October 9 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park Reflecting Pool Lawn and Arcades
Free and open to the public (no registration required)
Description: Join European Spa Enthusiasts in the first ever Bathrobe Addicts Bathrobe Walk in the U.S. bring your bathrobe as you parade around the State Parks grounds to live music
- Jazz Bar
Wednesday, October 9 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Location: Hall of Springs Jazz Bar
Free and open to the public
Description: Enjoy drinks and live Jazz music by the Jonathan Greene Trio in the historic Hall of springs.
For more information and to register for the conference, visit historicthermaltowns.com. For any questions or to express interest in attending media events, please contact Annie Lin at Annie.lin@parks.ny.gov.
2024 marks the 100th anniversary the State Parks system. Celebratory initiatives include ‘Blazing A Trail,’ an interactive timeline chronicling the agency’s history and influential figures; an exhibit in the New York State Capitol’s State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; and the release of the Centennial Collection merchandise, which includes t-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.
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