Winterfest 2009

Winterfest 2009 will be held on January 30th - February 1st 4 and promises to be a fun-filled family weekend in Saratoga Springs! Back for its 14th exciting year, this community celebration offers something for everyone whether or not it snows!

Back by popular demand is Chowderfest! The public can sample delicious recipes from a number of different local restaurants. This competition asks participants to taste the chowders for $1.00 per sample cup and judge the winner. Those who cast a ballot for their favorite chowder and pay $5.00 will receive a Chowderfest 2007 long sleeve t-shirt while supplies last. To get the long sleeve t-shirt, designed by local artist Hud Armstrong, participants must turn in their ballot at the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, 297 Broadway (across from Congress Park) or the Saratoga Springs City Center at 522 Broadway. Ballots can be picked up at participating restaurants (listed on the Winterfest web site www.discoversaratoga.org/winterfest/), at The Visitor Center and in the Saratogian newspaper. To date there are 38 participating restaurants including a dog chowder with meat created by Sloppy Kisses, the area’s premier dog bakery and designer pet boutique on 493 Broadway.

 Some new events and activities this year include Winterfest Concerts, from 6:00-9:00pm on  Friday and Saturday evenings, at the Saratoga Springs City Center at 522 Broadway.  Friday night acoustic pop performers will be Maggie & The Locals, and Rick Bolton and the Dwyer Sisters. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Saturday night features blue grass musicians Bear Tracks and The Gibson Brothers with tickets priced at $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Saratoga Guitar (438 Broadway) or the City Center. For more information call Saratoga Guitar at 581-1604 or the City Center at 584-0027.

Not to be missed:

Chowderfest. Chowderfest is a citywide festival that celebrates the delicious art of chowder. Its simple too! Go to the Visitors Center and get a ballot. Then you go to the restaurant of your choice and taste their chowder, choose your favorite and return the ballot to the Visitors Center if you want to vote. There is no limit to how much Chowder you can have, so enjoy!