Another season of thoroughbred racing began on Wednesday, July 25, at the Saratoga Race Course. To kick off the first week of racing right, both locals and folks visiting Saratoga Springs will likely want to check out “Hats Off to Saratoga.”

The annual music festival takes place from 7–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, July 27 and 28, at various locations chiefly along Broadway. The event is free and open to the public.

Susan Farnsworth, special event planner for Hats Off, estimated the festival has been held for approximately 15 years, but she’s only been involved for the past nine. She believes the event will draw roughly 21,000 people each night.

“It’s huge,” Farnsworth said. “It’s just so much fun. There’s all kinds of great music and it’s free.”

Friday night eight acts will showcase their talents at different sites, followed by nine performances on Saturday. People can expect to hear everything from blues and rock music to jazz and reggae.

Greg Dixon, vice president of Tourism for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, said there’s a great diversity of music and that every year people remark on the quality of the bands playing the event.

This is Dixon’s third year taking part in Hats Off. Aside from being a major sponsor, he said the Chamber also handles the administrative side of the festival. Other major sponsors include the racecourse, Budweiser Beer, CDPHP, Miller Lite Beer and Saratoga Gaming & Raceway along with area motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and retailers throughout Saratoga Springs.

Originally, Hats Off was created to stir up business at the beginning of the racing season, which was considered to be soft. Dixon said that’s not the case anymore.

On July 28, the first-ever Breeders’ Cup Challenge Day, Saratoga will host the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap, the Grade 1, $250,000 Go for Wand, the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Handicap and the Grade 2, $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt. All four are important races, and the winner of each will automatically qualify for the Breeders’ Cup in October. ABC will be on hand to televise the races during a two-hour live telecast beginning at 4 p.m.

Dixon said Hats Off is still very important though because it brings a lot of tourists and local families downtown. He believes once people come downtown, they’ll enjoy it, remember it and want to return.

“It’s a dynamite festival,” Dixon said. “Hats Off is just a really good time.”

Garland Nelson, lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist of the band Soul Session, is looking forward to performing at Hats Off. Although individual members of the band have played the event before with different groups, this will be the first time Soul Session tackles it.

“Weather permitting, we’ll be setting up a stage with lights and the works,” he said. “We’re going to go all out.”

Nelson said Hats Off will feature a lot of talented artists from all over the Capital Region. He believes the festival will be a lot of fun and great exposure for the band.

“Everyone’s here. It’s cool to see Saratoga Springs become the place to be,” Nelson said.

For more information, visit www.saratoga.org/specials-hats-off. Farnsworth said to leave dogs and other pets at home for Hats Off. In line with a city ordinance, police will ask people who bring pets to leave.

Who’s playing Hats Off:

1. The Saratoga Springs City Center – On Saturday, Bluz House Rockers will play sets starting at 7, 8, 9 and 10:15 p.m.

2. The Collamer Building Parking Lot – Both nights, The Sarah Pedinotti Band will play sets starting at 7, 8:15, 9:15 and 10:15 p.m.

3. The Post Office – Both nights, Pangaea will play sets starting at 7, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

4. The Adirondack Trust Co. – Both nights, Sirsy will play sets starting at 7, 8, 9:15 and 10:15 p.m.

5. Caroline Street – Both nights, Big Medicine will play sets starting at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.

6. Lillian’s Parking Lot – On Friday, Bluz House Rockers will play sets starting at 7, 8, 9 and 10:15 p.m. On Saturday, Tequila Mockingbirds will play sets starting at 7, 8, 9 and 10:15 p.m.

7. Division Street – Both nights, Soul Session will play sets starting at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.

8. Eddie Bauer – On Friday, Racing City Chorus will play sets starting at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. On Saturday, The GTO’s will play sets starting at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.

9. Ben & Jerry’s – Both nights, Rich Ortiz will play sets starting at 7, 8:15 and 9:30 p.m.