Selling Saratoga

OK, so I'm not a native Saratogian. I grew up in Guilderland, a suburb of Albany. When I was growing up, there was no Crossgates Mall, it was a horse farm with trails through the woods. Stuyvesant Plaza was made up of The Grand Union, Central Market, Woolworths, Western Auto and W. T. Grant. Guilderland was a nice place to raise a family back then, not that there is anything wrong with it now. In December of 1985 I moved to Saratoga Springs with my wife and small son. Twenty six years later there is no wife and my last of four childern is about to graduate from Saratoga Springs High School. I feel that Saratoga is my home and I love to live here. The education my childern received was outstanding. They have represented their city all over the country. My oldest was part of three Section ll Cross Country Champions and two New York State Championship teams. My daughter wore the blue and white as part of the girls soccer team. My two youngest both ran track and were members of the Drama Club. I have done my part as a coach in little league, rec soccer and the Saratoga Soccer Club. I am part of the Saratoga Springs Ancient Order of Hibernians. I'm telling you all this not because the Saratogian is asking for people to send in their favorite things about Saratoga ( Grasso's Italian Ice has to be one of them ) but because tomorrow I have to meet with eight members of the New York State Board of the AOH and the LAOH to pitch a convention for Saratoga Springs in 2013.

I think that this city is a perfect place for any group to hold their convention. After hours of meetings what could be better than to take a walk downtown to the shops and restaurants? You would think that this would be an easy sell, but you would be wrong. Saratoga Springs held the AOH National Convention in 1906, I guess at that time the people were used to walking places. This year when we travel to Pearl River for the 2011 Convention we have to give a presentation to convince the statewide membership to choose Saratoga Springs over Nassau County. There is nothing wrong with Nassau county, everything will be held in one, very nice hotel, and that's where everyone will stay for the four days, never leaving, never seeing anything else but the inside of a very nice hotel. We want them to come to Saratoga Springs and experience the entire city. When our meeting is over tomorrow it will be just in time for the Elk's Flag Day Parade and in the afternoon The Saratoga Arts Fest will be in full swing. What better way to show off our city. If you need to convince anyone to come to Saratoga Springs here are just a few reasons.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center

National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center

Saratoga Automobile Museum

Did you say Golf?

Saratoga National Golf Club

Saratoga Spa Golf Course

Airway Meadows Club

Saratoga Lake Golf Club

Music and Dining?

Way, way too many to name here. Just look down Caroline St. or Phila St. or Broadway, see what I mean.

How about a walk to the Beekman St. Art District or a stroll into Congress Park, don't feed the ducks but do take a ride on the century old Carousel.

Shopping is a must do item when you come to Saratoga Springs with Broadway packed with both national chains and unique one of a kind shops.

I guess selling Saratoga Springs is not a difficult task after all, wish us luck and I hope we can bring the convention here in 2013.

By the way, did I mention we have a casino and the greatest thoroughbred racing in the world?

My Italian is not that good but I believe they are voting for Saratoga.