Saratoga Springs Will Have a New Pride Crosswalk This June!

Crossing Spring Street, between the Congress Park Carousel and the Hawthorne Spring, a new rainbow-colored crosswalk will be a symbol of Saratoga’s continued open and welcoming environment, and ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community. It has been made possible through a combination of private donations and support from the City of Saratoga Springs. According to Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton, “Saratoga Springs is an incredibly supportive community, and this crosswalk will serve as a permanent symbolic welcome mat for all to see and appreciate as they enter the city.”

June 3rd Ribbon Cutting

On Thursday, June 3rd at 6pm (rain date on June 4th), there will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring greetings from local and state officials and community members. The family-friendly event will be held by the historic Carousel in Congress Park. There will be live performance and art activities provided by Saratoga Arts and CREATE, and group photos in the newly painted crosswalk. Following the ceremony, there will be a gathering at Bailey’s on Phila Street.

Thank you!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for making this possible, including the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund, KeyBank, PDT Catering, Skidmore College, The Goodridge Team at Keller Williams and many other generous community members who contributed. Special thanks go out to the City of Saratoga Springs, Mayor Meg Kelly and Commissioner Robin Dalton for their continued support of the LGBTQ+ community.  And special thanks to Trieste Cordova for the crosswalk graphic.

Click here for a full list of June 2021 Pride Activities.

If you want to get involved with Saratoga Pride, write to info@saratogapride.com

June 2021 is Pride Month!

Saratoga Pride is back this year with a number of fun, safe events! While we will not have a large festival in June, we hope to be able to hold one sometime this fall. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for info.

Once again this year Broadway will be lined with Saratoga Pride banners for the entire month of June. And, be sure to check out the new Pride Crosswalk on Spring Street, between the Carousel in Congress Park and Hawthorne Spring (and join us for the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony on June 3rd – info below). And while you are on Broadway, be sure to check out the LGBTQ+ window displays at Northshire Bookstore, and other festive and colorful storefronts.

Also, be sure to swing through the Village of Ballston Spa to see the Pride flags adorning the Village Hall, and check out the Woods Hallow Nature Preserve and Town Hall in Milton.

Now - Mark your Calendars for these Pride Month Live and Virtual Events…

• June 3, Thursday, 6:00pm Ribbon Cutting for the Pride Crosswalk, Congress Park Carousel, music, arts activities, group photo, gathering at Bailey’s on Phila St. to follow. Family Friendly Event!

• June 10, 7:00pm, Pride Night Miniature Golf and Ice Cream, Mr. Bill’s Mill Creek, near the Hannaford Plaza on Rowland St, Ballston Spa.  $5 per person to play golf. Refreshments available to purchase. Family Friendly Event!

• June 13, PTD Catering’s Pride Drag Brunch, go to www.pdtcatering.com/pride for info and reservations.

• June 16, 5:00-7:00pm, Pride Cocktails at the Mansion, Rt 29 Rock City Falls. $5 cover charge.

• June 27, Sunday Pride Bike Ride, collaboration with Trek Bicycles Saratoga Springs, a moderate 10–15-mile ride. Meet at Trek Bikes, 71 Church St. Saratoga Springs. Check Facebook for exact times.  Family Friendly Event!

• “Saratoga Pride in Reading” A series of Pride Month virtual events hosted by Saratoga Pride, curated by the Saratoga Book Festival. Pre-registration required (see event listings)

  • June 15, Poet Nicole Santalucia in conversation with Saratoga Springs resident and Author Kim van Alkemade

  • June 22, Fiction Panel featuring Bold Strokes Book Authors: Ashley Bartlett, ‘Nathan Burgoine, Radclyffe and Anne Shade; moderated by Editor, Sandy Lowe

  • June 29, Short Story Authors Joe Okonkwo and Michael Lowenthal in conversation

For details, check the individual event listings, and our Facebook page @SaratogaPride.

Wishing Saratoga a "Happy Pride"

This is the first in a series of videos to wish members of the LGBTQ community of Saratoga County a “Happy Pride Month”. Even though we are not able to gather together for a Pride Celebration, we are celebrating virtually and will be scheduling digital events throughout the month.

Be sure to check back in the coming days for more greetings and announcements of virtual activities.

Saratoga Pride Goes Virtual for 2020

Pride Celebrations are looking a bit different this year…

2018 Pride Gathering at High Rock Pavilion

Out of an abundance of caution, and following the examples set by NY City and Albany, we are very sad to announce that Saratoga Pride will not be hosting its annual Festival in High Rock Park. We are, however, working on ways that we can still show some “Saratoga PRIDE” during the month of June. Broadway will once again be lined for the month of June with our Pride Banners, and we would like to light up the web with selfies and greetings from members of our community.

Going Online…

Visit saratogapride.com and our Facebook page in early June for video messages from community leaders and members of the Pride Committee. Starting June 2, once the Pride Banners are up on Broadway, we invite you to take a “selfie” or record a short video with them in the background to show your “Pride”! Then, post the image or video on your social media using the hashtag #saratogaprideselfie. Be sure to check back on our sites for more activities.

Hopefully by the fall we will be able to resume our “First Wednesday Happy Hours” and other group activities. Be sure to check SaratogaPride.com or Facebook for the latest news.

Pride Crosswalks in Downtown Saratoga!

The Saratoga Pride Committee has been working closely with the City of Saratoga Springs to brighten the community by creating Pride Crosswalks downtown. While we had hoped to unveil these new crosswalks this June, we have agreed with City officials that it is best to wait until 2021. In the meantime, here is an example from another city to get an idea of what they may look like. We are looking for contributions to help offset the cost of paint so if you are interested, please send an email to info@saratogapride.com to get details on how you can be a “crosswalk sponsor”.

Denver, Colorado crosswalk shows similar design to one proposed for saratoga springs

Want to get involved in planning events with Saratoga Pride? Sent a note to info@saratogapride.com.

Saratoga Pride Festival on Sunday, June 16 at High Rock Park - And More...

Saratoga Springs celebrates LGBTQ community with Pride events, banners and window stickers

Saratoga Pride is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in a big way this month. On Sunday, June 16, the organization is to host the 5th Annual Pride Celebration from 1 to 4 pm at High Rock Park Pavilion. Eventgoers can enjoy live music, information from community organizations, crafts, photo ops and more. Pride celebrations will continue at Bailey’s at 4 pm. Where appetizer will be served and $5 donation is requested. All are welcome. Additional Pride events hosted in Saratoga can be found on SaratogaPride.com.

“Saratoga Pride is excited to offer an expanded program of events during Pride Month 2019. There are 25 community organizations and businesses tabling at the annual festival on June 16, along with musical performers and fun activities for children and families.” Stated Cindy Swadba, volunteer for Saratoga Pride. 

 Throughout June, Pride flags will hang on Broadway street lamps in downtown Saratoga Springs. The flags, now displayed for the 4th consecutive year, represent Saratoga as an inclusive community and welcome LGBTQIA+ individuals to the area.

Additionally, Saratoga Pride is working with local organizations to encourage their support of the LGBTQ community with one-of-a-kind rainbow horse window stickers. The stickers will be distributed to any Saratoga organization interested. Businesses that are already utilizing the Pride stickers include Northshire Bookstore and Solevo Kitchen + Social.  Businesses can pick up a sticker at the Annual Pride Celebration or by reaching out to Cindy Swadba at info@saratogapride.com