Organizers of Belmont on Broadway shared more details about the free Blues Traveler concert happening on Wednesday, June 5 on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
The multi-day event, announced at a press conference earlier this month, is a six-day celebration planned for the week of the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in Saratoga Springs.
One of the highlights of the Belmont on Broadway schedule is a free concert featuring headliner Blues Traveler to be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
This week, event organizers announced the opening acts for the concert, along with further details about shuttle service and safety protocols.
Kicking off the show at 6 p.m. is Tops of Trees, a Saratoga-based original eight-piece rock and soul ensemble quickly making a name for themselves in the Capital Region. With a sound built upon a strong foundation of drum and bass, classic organ, blistering vocals, and an unshakeable horn section, the band continues to thrill audiences with high energy performances and a modern interpretation of soulful music steeped in early R&B, funk and blues. After releasing their inaugural EP “The Tree House Sessions” in 2023, Tops of Trees gained lots of local fans with their pre-fireworks performance Saratoga New Year’s Fest and recently earned a 2024 Capital Region Thomas Edison Award (Eddie) nomination for Jam Band of The Year.
The Pat McGee Band, hailing from Virginia, will take the stage at 7 p.m. With an emphasis on melodies that are both memorable and evocative, an upbeat party vibe that weighs heavily on the familiarity factor, three-part harmonies, ringing guitars, steadfast rhythms and sparkling keyboards, this band’s sound is certain to satisfy the Belmont on Broadway audience. McGee has performed at the Spa City’s famed music venue Caffe Lena and has previously warmed up crowds as an opening act for Blues Traveler as well. The group’s most recent reunion album, Sugar Packet, was released in 2020.
Folks can utilize complimentary shuttle transportation provided by CDTA from 3 to 11 p.m. from two remote parking locations, which they visit approximately every 20 minutes. One bus will run between Route 50 Lot at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the bus stop on Broadway at Congress Park, and another between the Wilton Mall bus stop and the corner of High Rock Avenue and Lake Avenue.
Broadway will be closed for this event between Van Dam Street and Lake Avenue – from approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5 to 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 6 – for the installation of the stage, which will be located adjacent to the Saratoga Springs City Center. Additional road closures will begin at 3 p.m. extending south on Broadway to Washington and Spring Streets and as necessary on side streets with access to Broadway in this area. Detours will be available to motorists.
In an effort to increase the safety of all, organizers ask that people attending this free concert from 6 to 10 p.m. not bring coolers, backpacks, large bags, strollers, pets, glass bottles, alcohol or weapons of any kind. There is ample space to watch the concert from locations on the street – Broadway – and attendees should use the sidewalks solely for walking. Individuals who require a seat are asked to bring a folding chair that is not inside of a bag. For the enjoyment of all, organizers also ask that those inside the event space refrain from smoking. Leaving a bar or restaurant with alcohol is not permitted.
The Belmont on Broadway concert is sponsored by Death Wish Coffee, NYRA Bets, Saratoga County, the City of Saratoga Springs, Druthers Brewing, The Adirondack Trust Company, DA Collins, UHY Advisors, and the Saratoga Casino Hotel. The organizing committee is comprised of leaders from the Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation, the Saratoga Springs City Center, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
More information about Belmont on Broadway, including additional events, is available online at www.discoversaratoga.org/belmontonbroadway