SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. will host Italian-American Day at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 30. The event is the second installment in the inaugural International Heritage Series, a weekly celebration of global culture and heritage during the 2014 summer meet.
The day-long festivities will feature Italian music, dance, entertainment, crafts and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion located inside the Reserved Seats Box Office entrance.
Chefs from Mazzone Hospitality will conduct pasta making demonstrations at the Saratoga Pavilion following the day’s first, second and third races. Additionally, classic Italian cars will be on display near the Pavilion and guests will be invited to watch bocce ball demonstrations during the afternoon.
Dancers under the direction of choreographer Louise Giuliano will greet visitors at the grandstand and clubhouse entrances. The dancers will perform the traditional Italian folk dance the Tarantella on the track apron at 12:40 p.m. The group will also perform at the bandstand at 1:45 p.m.
Strolling accordion players Ralph Brooks and Ed Salvo will entertain track guests throughout the day. Musical performances from Italian opera singer Kristen Shweke, Italian classic standard singer Gemma Vullo, the Franklin Micare Band, and Italian guitar duo John DiFilipo and Ed Salvo will take place near the Saratoga bandstand and gazebo throughout the afternoon.
Traditional Italian food will be available in the Saratoga Pavilion, including sausage and peppers, cannoli, and pizzelle cookies from the American Italian Heritage Museum; espresso, chinotto, aranciata and lemonciata from Our Sons of Italy; and pizza from DeFazio’s Pizzeria.
In addition to Italian-American Day, the International Heritage Series lineup will include: Irish-American Day on August 6; African-American Day on August 13; and Asian-American Day on August 20. The final installment of the series will celebrate the history and culture of Saratoga Springs with Saratoga Heritage Day on August 27.
The 2014 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. For more information about events at Saratoga Race Course, visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.