Stillwater, N.Y. - Saratoga National Historical Park continues its 2023 special events program in August. Programs include:
“Are we there yet?"
Friday, August 4, 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Visitor Center
Have you ever felt lost? Join Park Ranger Bill Valosin for an introduction to map and compass use. Discover the essential workings of a compass, what a map is, and how to use these tools together to find your way.
Making Music with RiverJack Z
Saturday, August 5, 1:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
Create a song with RiverJack Z, a.k.a. Jack Zucchini, the guitar-playing singer/songwriter from The Zucchini Brothers!
History Caravans
Tuesdays, August 8 and 22, 9:30 am
Meet at the Visitor Center
Park Volunteers lead caravan-style tours of the Saratoga Battlefield!
The McKrells Concert
Tuesday, August 8, 12:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
Join us for the return of Music at the Battlefield at noon on August 8! The McKrells will bring their rousing brand of Bluegrass to top of the hill next to the Visitor Center. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the exhilarating sounds along with the beautiful and historic views. Bluegrass Now magazine described our guests as follows: "Traditional suits-and-ties bluegrass The McKrells are not...Yes, it's Grass, mostly, but there's a lilt to the tunes, a bouncing drive to the melodies, and here and there a touch of melancholy that seems to go hand in hand with the Celtic folk persona." Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This support was gained by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.
Tinsmith Demonstration
Friday, Aug. 11, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
A live tinsmith demonstration! At the time of the Battles of Saratoga, the tinsmith was an important part of both community and military life. Tinsmiths created dozens of useful items like cups, bowls, candle molds, lanterns, tea canisters, and other containers. They also provided armies with needed items such as oil flasks, canteens, document cases, cooking kettles, and even canister shot for artillery. Learn about the process and see a sampling of the many civilian and military wares a tinsmith could make! The tinsmith demonstration is weather sensitive and will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Saratoga Shooting Stars: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch Party
Saturday, Aug. 12, 9:30 to 10:30 pm
Location: Visitor Center Lawn
Join us for a night under the stars on the Visitor Center Lawn during a peak night of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Ranger Kristin will give a short presentation about our connections to the night sky, the majesty of meteor showers, a night sky tour, and how you can help to protect this disappearing resource. After the presentation, attendees will have time to watch the night sky for meteors. Under favorable night sky conditions, it is estimated that you can see around 100 meteors per hour. Although we do have light pollution here, if the weather cooperates, we are hoping for a good show! Limited space is available. Go to go.nps.gov/saratogastars and click the “Contact Us" link at the bottom of the calendar listing to register.
Feeding an Army
Sunday, Aug. 13, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
What did British soldiers at Saratoga eat, and how did they prepare their food? Join us as we explore these questions through a sensory exploration and live cooking demonstration using historical methods, tools, and reproduction foods. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch, smell, and hear the culinary past!
Elizabeth Huntley, Harpist
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 12:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
Elizabeth Huntley is one of the Capital District/Saratoga/ Lake George Region’s busiest musicians, showcasing the harp’s versatility by performing a wide variety of music. Ms. Huntley has played for the Irish Tenors, Garrison Keillor, Josh Groban, Bobby Vinton, Barry Manilow, Melissa Manchester, Johnny Mathis, Manhattan Transfer, and Roger Daltrey. She is the principal harpist with the Glens Falls Symphony and has played with the Skidmore College Orchestra, along with orchestras and opera companies from here to Boston to New York and places in between. Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This support was gained by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.
Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum Corps
Saturday, Aug. 26, 2:00 pm
Location: Visitor Center
Listen to stirring tunes that eased the drudgery of a long march, or the many calls that regulated activity in a fort. Explore how drumbeats, trilling fifes, and songs created an 18th-century world of military music.
The entire Special Event schedule can be found at go.nps.gov/saraevents. Keep checking as updates will appear throughout the summer.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service