Win $1,000 in the Saratoga 150 Floral Fete this Summer!

floralfetenews From horse-shaped vintage red wagons to a surrey pedal-car bedecked with potted plants, Saratogians are planning their Floral Fete entries for the old-fashioned promenade on August 2nd, the eve of the 150th milestone, celebrating the date racing began in Saratoga Springs.

One of the most fascinating elements of the Floral Fete, that begins at Route 50 and Broadway at 7:30 pm, will be the self-decorated, non-motorized contingent of Saratoga County children and adults who are decorating bicycles, baby carriages, wagons and other creative contraptions on wheels in the floral motif reminiscent of the popular fetes of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in Saratoga.

Prizes for this group will include a $1,000 Most Creative Entry - Overall prize.   Additionally, each category of entry will have its own set of prizes. First Prize will be $150, Second Prize will be $100 and Third Prize will be $50 for the following categories:

  • Best Kid’s Bicycle
  • Best Wagon
  • Best Baby Carriage
  • Best Adult Bicycle
  • Best Contraption on Wheels

As in days of old, the judging will take the quality of the flowers and the design into consideration, as well as originality, creativity, and historical significance.  Although most entries, to date, boast plans for a variety of real flowers, cut and potted, the rules are accepting of some hand-made and faux flowers – “nice silk-like flowers, and  hand-made crepe paper flowers on children’s entries will be accepted. Faux, but no plastic”, according to organizers.

The promenade will begin at 7:30 pm, from the corner of Route 50/Cornelius Vanderbilt Highway and Broadway. The self-decorated, non-motorized division of bicycles, baby carriages, wagons and other contraptions on wheels will join in at Walton Street, as the promenade continues down Broadway to Congress Park, where the public is invited by Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson to a community-wide ice cream social in the park. Stewarts is dishing out five flavors of ice cream in cups, while supplies last, and entertainment, from ragtime music and performing children’s groups to strolling entertainers, will abound. Marylou and John have purchased Saratoga 150 tokens that will be given out to exchange for free rides on the carousel, and a birthday cake will be ceremoniously cut to the sounds of traditional birthday songs. The self-decorated division and other promenade participants will receive their prizes in the Casino, where they will be treated to the same fare as the outdoor ice cream social.

Don't miss your chance to take part in this historic, perfectly Saratoga family event! To register to be part of the Floral Fete click here. Need some cute ideas on how to decorate? I love this little tutorial for a red, white and blue version (you can add some extra flowers to make it more Floral Fete ready) and here are some fun photos to get your ideas going!

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