Mini City is proud to introduce The Marchesiello Team as our newest Community Creator sponsor and our exclusive Real Estate sponsor. As a Community Creator sponsor, The Marchesiello Team is helping Mini City to grow our online community of local parents and to bring you the best quality content readers love finding on Mini City. It is through Community Creator sponsors like The Marchesiello Team that gives Mini City the opportunity to remain a free resource for local parents and families. Throughout the year, as a trusted Mini City sponsor source, The Marchesiello Team will bring Mini City readers informative articles and features on vital topics regarding local real estate and helping families navigate what can be some of the most important decisions their family makes. Learn more about Christine and the entire Marchesiello Team in this month’s Mini City Magazine!
Mini City Magazine Preschool Issue
It’s that time of year again! No, not the holiday season, although you can find all that info HERE in our Shop Local Saratoga Issue, no today we were talking about PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION TIME! This early? The answer is YES! For these popular local preschools spots fill up FAST and registrations open soon or are already open so you’re going to want to check them out ASAP and the first stop is right here in the annual Mini City Preschool Issue. It gives you all the info on each featured school along with info on how and when to visit the school and how and when to register. Click on any of the photos to read the issue now, and don’t miss our feature on our brand new Community Creator Sponsor, The Marchesiello Team!
Mini City Magazine Shop Local Saratoga 2021 Edition
It’s that time of year! Time to visit your favorite locally owned small businesses to stock up on gifts for the holidays! This year we partnered with a number of small local businesses to create some great Gift Guides highlighting amazing items for everyone on your list! Be sure to check out our online Shop Local Saratoga Gift Guides here too for our Store Tour Videos! Click any of the photos to read the magazine now and stay tuned as we add more Gift Guide goodies to our Shop Local list!
The Mini City Shop Local Gift Guides are Here!
It’s that time of year, our Shop Local Gift Guides are launching just in time to get out there and shop local! Throughout the next coming weeks we will be featuring videos and curated gift guides from local shops designed to help you find all of your holiday gifts right here in our area. When you shop local, you support local, and guess what? All of our local shops are stocked with items ready to buy NOW! No shipping delays, no supply chain issues, they have great items in stock ready for gifting. We are also featuring a local photographer, which makes a fantastic unique gift, so you can book your holiday sessions asap!
Stay tuned to the blog and to our Shop Local Gift Guide here as well as our instagram for shop local videos and featured items. We are also launching the Shop Local Gift Guide issue of Mini City Magazine next week, packed with local items in stores ready for YOU!
The 26th Annual Festival of Trees
Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties invites the local community to unwrap the magic of the holiday season at their 26th annual fundraiser – The Festival of Trees – on Wednesday, December 1 through Sunday, December 5, at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The Festival will once again showcase beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday and gift items for purchase. Festival proceeds will benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. The Annual Festival commences with the Preview Reception on Wednesday, December 1, from 6-8pm. Tickets are $75 each and $60 for anyone under 35. The Festival continues through Sunday with hours that vary as follows: Thursday 4-9pm; Friday 2-6pm; Saturday 12-6pm; and Sunday 11-2pm. Tickets are $8 per person, $5 for Seniors, $3 for ages 10-18 and free for anyone 10 and under when accompanied by an adult.
The Festival will go on without traditional large group activities, such as Breakfast with Santa. Instead, Santa will be available for family photos, while safely distanced, on Thursday from 4-7 and Saturday from 12-3. In addition, a variety of “Holiday Experiences” are available for interested families. Children will receive a letter from Santa or parents can purchase a DIY Christmas Cookie Kit from The Bread Basket Bakery to decorate at home. Anyone interested in a “Holiday Experience” can visit https://igfn.us/f/3lac/n to purchase.
A Festival Raffle will be an exciting addition to this year’s event. Prizes include Nintendo Switch or XBOX X. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. Tickets can be purchased by mail by sending your name, phone number, and raffle item of choice to Catholic Charities, 142 Regent Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Tickets can also be purchased at the Festival of Trees Event, where you'll find a holiday shop, a variety of additional raffle items, gingerbread house displays, and more.
Further details for this year’s Festival can be found by calling 518-587-5000.
The 35th Anniversary Victorian Streetwalk Weekend
Come celebrate the 35th Anniversary Victorian Streetwalk Weekend!
Thursday December 2nd, 6-7pm
Friday December 3rd, 5-8pm
Saturday December 4th, 5-8pm
Sunday December 5th 12-4pm
The weekend begins with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 2nd 6-7pm and continues throughout the weekend with...
Live Entertainment
Come enjoy LIVE music downtown and performers strolling Broadway.
Santa's Cottage on Broadway
Santa invites children to leave their Christmas lists and notes for Santa at Santa’s Cottage, located in front of Putnam Market.
Victorian Streetwalk Scavenger Hunt
The Charlton School has created pieces of art to be hidden in Downtown Saratoga. Locate them all for your chance to win a Saratoga Prize Package of goodies!
Free Gift Wrapping Station
Have your downtown gifts wrapped by the students of The Charlton School during Victorian Streetwalk Weekend on Sunday 12/5 12-4pm at the Arcade Building
Neighborhood Santa Visits Throughout December
As an alternative to in-person visits with Santa, we are bringing Santa to the children of Saratoga! Children are invited to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he travels through Saratoga neighborhoods atop a Tower Ladder fire truck!
For more information head to the Facebook page here or visit the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association online here.
The Mini City Shop Local Gift Guides are Here!
It’s that time of year, our Shop Local Gift Guides are launching just in time to get out there and shop local! Throughout the next coming weeks we will be featuring videos and curated gift guides from local shops designed to help you find all of your holiday gifts right here in our area. When you shop local, you support local, and guess what? All of our local shops are stocked with items ready to buy NOW! No shipping delays, no supply chain issues, they have great items in stock ready for gifting. We are also featuring a local photographer, which makes a fantastic unique gift, so you can book your holiday sessions asap!
Stay tuned to the blog and to our Shop Local Gift Guide here as well as our instagram for shop local videos and featured items. We are also launching the Shop Local Gift Guide issue of Mini City Magazine next week, packed with local items in stores ready for YOU!
Palette Community Mom Fest Weekend Retreat
Space is limited so get your tickets before they sell out! Click the button below to reserve your spot now!
Campfire Concerts with Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park
Don't let the cold, autumn weather bring you down! Join Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park for activities, live music, prizes, refreshments, roasting marshmallows and more... all while warming up by the campfire. Enjoy the tunes of musical guests, the Red Spruce Band and Thomasina Winslow!
Registration is required via Eventbrite platform. Registration is limited! Please follow this link for your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/186990372237
For further information or assistance, please call 518-450-0321.
Maple Ave Middle School Trunk or Treat UPDATE
Come join Maple Ave Middle School at their first ever "TRUNK OR TREAT" event on Saturday, October 30th from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM. UPDATE 10/28 - Trunk or Treat will be taking place INSIDE at the back gym. Please enter the building through the back gym entrance.
$15 donation for "trunkers"
$5 dontaion for "treaters"
All proceeds from this event will benefit our future 8th grade trips to Washington D.C.!
Trunkers: Please provide your own treats.
-Decorate your car for the "Best Decorated Car Costume!"
-Free admission for trunker's kids
-Entry deadline for car is Friday, October 15th. Please email a_moore@saratogaschools.org for entry detail
Treaters: Must be accompanied by an adult
-Will be entered into Best Costume Contest – prizes for 1st place
-Will be eligible for Scavenger hunt – prizes available
Mini City Magazine :: October
The latest issue of Mini City Magazine is here! In this issue we have a great Mom Boss featuring a local business owner, our picks for family pjs for the holidays, some great events coming up SOON and a HOW TO on how to BOO! Click any of the images to read it now!
Fall Festivities at the Saratoga Farmers' Market
Mark your calendars! The Saratoga Farmers' Market will be celebrating the last markets of the 2021 outdoor season with 3 special markets with fun for the whole family. Head over to High Rock Park on:
-Saturday, October 23rd (9am-1pm)
-Wednesday, October 27th (3-6pm)
-Saturday, October 30th (9am-1pm)
Each of these markets will feature a variety of specials, contests and seasonal activities. You won't want to miss our fall favorites giveaway, discounts from vendors, activities like butternut squash bowling, photo booths, pumpkin contests and much more! Stay tuned for more information.
And don't worry, this is not your last chance to shop with our vendors - the indoor market season will start Saturday, November 6 and will run weekly from 9:30am-1:30pm at the Wilton Mall through the end of April!
Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association presents the 2nd Annual Fall Festivities the weekends of October 23-24 & October 30-31
Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association presents the 2nd Annual Fall Festivities the weekends of October 23-24 & October 30-31.
The Great Saratoga Pumpkin Hunt is BACK!
Can you find the hidden pumpkins decorated with Historic Saratoga Springs landmarks? Check out downtown storefront windows, and see if you can find all 10!
Turn in your completed Pumpkin Hunt sheets to be entered to win a complete downtown Saratoga Springs prize package!
Costume-Friendly Festive Fun Run
Run around downtown Saratoga Springs while visiting each of the 10 locations of The Great Saratoga Pumpkin Hunt! Costumes encouraged.
Virtual Ghostly Stories of Saratoga's Past
Join Joe Haedrich of Saratoga Tours is BACK for another virtual look at today's Spooky Saratoga locations.
Children's Paint Your Own Pumpkin at Scallions Restaurant
Join Scallions for a Paint Your Own Pumpkin Day with the children!
Space is limited! Call Scallions at 518-584-0192 to pre-register! (Masks required for this event)
Costume Party Photo Booth - Stop by On The Spot Photos at Spa City Motor Lodge to have your picture taken in costume and be entered to win a $100 DBA gift certificate! Pets welcome!
Restaurant Receipt Raffle
Dine at one of any participating restaurants for your chance to be entered to win $100 DBA gift certificate. There will be FOUR winners!!
Write your information on the back of your receipt, and drop it off on your way out!
Stay tuned for a list of participants.
Performers will be traveling up and down Broadway on all four days. Don't miss your chance to see Crazy Christine Balloons, Sean "The Prankster" Magician, Mr. Twisty, Sparkles the Juggler, and more!
Family Outdoor Movie Night with Saratoga Regional YMCA
Enjoy a family fun night under the stars and join us for an outdoor movie night at the Saratoga Springs Branch on Friday, October 8th!
This Friday’s movie will be “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
Entry is $5 a person or $15 a family with popcorn included!(concession will also be available)
Bring your own chair, towel, or blanket to secure your spot on the lawn to watch the movie on our giant 20 foot movie screen.
All proceeds will benefit the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Annual Campaign which helps ensure that the Y remains available for all.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3oFXdyZ
West Mountain Fall Festival
West Mountain's popular Fall Festival is happening this weekend (Oct. 9-10) and next weekend (Oct. 16-17) from 12pm-6pm! It's great fun for everyone! For a complete event overview, please click here.
Movies in the Pumpkin Patch
Back for the second year in a row, The Salvation Army of Glens Falls is bringing back: Movies in the Pumpkin Patch is back! This year with a few new additions of Family Fun!
This year's films are:
Oct. 8th: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct. 9th: Casper
Oct. 10th: Beetlejuice
Tickets are priced per car
Gates Open for Family Fun and Food Trucks at 5:30 pm
Movie start at 7:30 pm
The Mini City Preschool Guide
Our Preschool Guide is already filling up fast! Coming out in December with plenty of time to plan for those early registrations, our annual guide is the #1 place for area parents to find out all they need to know about the great local preschools our area has to offer! Reserve your Preschools spot in the guide today before it fills up! Now offering video tours! Click the button below for more info!
Homeschool Programs at The Children's Museum at Saratoga
Attention All Homeschoolers! The Children's Museum at Saratoga is hosting a variety of programs geared towards the needs of homeschool children.
Each month we offer a program on a Thursday covering a variety of topics:
October 21st: Self-Supporting Structures
Learn the importance of planning through the Engineering Design Process and a hands-on building project to test your skills as an architect.
November 18th: Chemical Reactions
Explore the mysteries of matter and how different substances interact with each other through a series of fun reactions.
December 16th: Electricity and Batteries
Dive into the realm of the incredibly small as we talk about the ever useful electron, how we discovered its utility, and how we take advantage of electricity today.
More dates to come!
We also have Science Crew starting October 18th and meets each Monday until November 15th. Our first session will cover oil and water, diving deep into why they don't mix and how oil spills impact the environment.
For details and registration contact Jessica at education@cmssny.org.
Mini City Magazine :: September 2021
The latest issue of Mini City Magazine is here! Tap any of the images to read it now, in this month’s issue we have a fantastic interview with author Julie Fragnito, guides for where to pick your own apples AND pumpkins locally and much more!
Saratoga Independent School Kite & Flight Festival 10/2
On Saturday, October 2, 2021, Saratoga Independent School will be hosting their 14th Annual Kite & Flight Festival!
Each year, Saratoga Independent School presents this free, fun-filled day on their 60-acre campus and invites the entire community to celebrate with us. This year’s event will feature kites, rockets, paper airplanes, a rock-climbing wall, food trucks, and more. There is a little something for everyone.
This event will take place outside, rain or shine with open-air tents. All COVID safety protocols will be followed.
The event is open to the public, free to attend, and will have a lot of free activities - There will be food to purchase, raffle baskets, and a few activities that will cost money.
Some highlights for this year's events:- Hot Air Balloon on Display- Rock Climbing Wall (small fee)- DIY Kites (small fee)- Rocket Craft- Paper Airplanes- Nature Trails- Bubbles- Parachute Games- A Program from The Children's Museum at Saratoga- A Balloon Selfie Wall from Adirondack Balloon Company- Kite & Flight Memorabilia for Sale- Kites & Frisbees for Sale- Custom T-Shirts from Nourish Designs- Food from Kaleidoscope Cafe, Jay's Pizza, Ben & Jerry's, and other small refreshments- Live music by Rick Bolton and Jackie Dugas- And so much more!
For more information visit us online at https://www.siskids.org/giving/kiteandflight.cfm