September – County of Saratoga, New York

Saratoga County Encourages People to Experience Victory Season at Saratoga This October

September 25, 2024

BALLSTON SPA, NY – This fall, Saratoga County invites you to experience “Victory Season at Saratoga,” presented by America’s Turning Point, a series of events commemorating the 247th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga culminating in the surrender of the British on October 17, 1777.

Highlights of the 2024 “Victory Season at Saratoga” include:
• “Saratoga Siege” Living History Weekend October 12 at 13 with Saratoga National Historical Park at locations throughout the towns of Saratoga & Stillwater. This free, family event features both military and civilian reenactors with hands-on activities, cannon firing demonstrations and a family passport challenge. Events run 10AM to 4PM each day.

• The “American Revolution Experience,” a national traveling exhibit produced by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust. It showcases diverse perspectives of common people on the lead up to, and during, the War for Independence. It will be on display at the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center, 30 Ferry Street, Schuylerville, NY from October 13 – October 27, 2024.

• “Surrender Day,” October 17 celebrating the surrender of a British Army for the first time in world history, marking the Turning Point of the American Revolution, features multiple events.
– Surrender Day Ceremony at Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville, 10AM. This free, family event features a reenactment of the surrender by British General Burgoyne to American General Gates by the banks of the Hudson River, interactive music, and cannon firing. This annual event is a favorite of families with young children and elementary school classes. (weather permitting)
– Siege and Surrender Tour – Join licensed battlefield guide Pat Niles for a tour of key sites tied to the siege and surrender at Saratoga. The tour departs from America’s Turning Point Heritage Center at 30 Ferry St. Schuylerville. This is a ticketed event from 1PM – 3:30PM with limited seats on private coach. Visit www.saratoga250.com to purchase tickets.
– An inaugural Surrender Day Benefit co-presented with SPAC and Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library/Saratoga Book Festival at Spa Little Theater from 6:30PM to 8PM featuring Dr. Kevin J. Weddle, US Army Colonel (Ret.), author of the award-winning recent book, “The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution” and County Historian, Saratoga 250 Chair and NYS 250 Commissioner, Lauren Roberts. Local students will also be featured in the program. All proceeds benefit Campaign for Saratoga 250 & Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Visit www.saratoga250.com to purchase tickets.

As part of the 250th commemoration of the Battles of Saratoga, Saratoga County will transform space at the Chaplain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center in Schuylerville to be used as its information hub for America’s Turning Point activities and to promote heritage tourism in the area. Planning is currently underway to develop the “America’s Turning Point Heritage Center,” which will feature interactive exhibits funded in part through a recently announced grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program.

America’s Turning Point events commemorate our revolutionary history both on and off the battlefield, including lesser-known perspectives from all sides of the conflict and life in the area. Events will feature interactive civilian living history, unique national exhibits, cannon and military demonstrations, award winning author presentations, music and more over a series of free and ticketed events suited to all ages. These events aim to educate, engage, and preserve the world-changing impact of Saratoga on the American Revolution.

Don’t miss out. Learn more at https://saratoga250.com/news-events/events/.

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Saratoga County Department of Health Reminds Residents to Protect Themselves Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases After Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Confirmed Saratoga County Horse

September 23, 2024

BALLSTON SPA, NY – The Saratoga County Department of Health is advising residents to take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites, after New York State Department of Health confirmed the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEv) in a horse in the Town of Ballston.

The horse was not vaccinated against EEEv. It became ill on September 16 and was euthanized the same day. Specimens were collected at the time and tested positive for EEEv by Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center.

EEEv is transmitted from mosquito bites and there is no risk of infected horses spreading the virus to humans or to other horses. There are currently no confirmed or suspected human cases of EEEv among Saratoga County residents.

While risk to the public is low at this time, Saratoga County Department of Health is reminding residents to prevent mosquito bites by taking the following precautions:

• Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient and apply according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. More information on repellents can be found on the EPA website.
• Wear long sleeves, tuck shirts into pants, and tuck pants into socks when outdoors.
• Use tightly fitting screens in all windows and doors of the home. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears, and holes.
• Eliminate all standing water in yards and around the home and property where mosquitoes can breed, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes, water troughs, used tires, and wheelbarrows.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEv) is an extremely rare but serious viral disease that can be fatal and is spread by infected mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. Anyone can be infected with EEEv, but those 50 years and older and those younger than 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease when infected with the virus. While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis, and coma. Approximately one-third of patients who develop EEEv die, while many patients who survive EEEv experience neurologic impairment. EEEv is not spread person-to-person, person to animal, or animal to person.

There is no commercially available human vaccine for EEEv and the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Horse owners should have horses stay in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use on animals and make sure their animals are up to date on vaccinations for EEEv and other mosquito-borne diseases.

More information on Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus can be found on the New York State Department of Health website.

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Saratoga County Animal Shelter to Hold Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic

September 20, 2024

BALLSTON SPA, NY – The Saratoga County Animal Shelter will hold a free rabies vaccination clinic on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the 4-H Training Center in Ballston Spa. Pet owners can have their cats, ferrets, and dogs vaccinated during the designated times listed for each animal. Time schedules are strictly enforced for the safety of all animals. All animals must be contained with a proper restraint device as described below and must be at least three months old.