SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Travers Day is the biggest race of the Saratoga racing season, and its impact is felt far beyond the track. Local leaders say that it brings a major boost to small business owners and the economy.
Thousands of people flooded Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs for the biggest day of the racecourse. Local businesses and officials spoke about the impact that travers day has on the economy.
Alessandra Bangehall, owner of Piper Boutique, said that it’s always a bittersweet feeling when Travers day comes, as it signifies the end of the season. “We opened right at 9:00 and there was people at the door last minute shopping and just, you know, wanting to be out with friends…it was steady, well, crazy busy.”
Thousands of fans pack the track for Travers Day. Once the races end, many people return to Broadway to eat, drink, and shop into the night.
The surge of people during Traverse weekend makes it the busiest time of the year for Saratoga’s downtown. Local officials said the economic benefits of Saratoga’s strong history of racing has kept downtown bustling.
Congressman Paul Tonko added, “It’s great to witness and you know, and enjoy a lot of the enthusiasm and the excitement. you feel it building during the week, especially certainly during the meet. But this week becomes so important with Travers week…that has enabled the economy, regional economy, to have a sound benefit from it.”
For business owners, Travers Day isn’t just about the race itself. It’s about the people who fill the streets of Saratoga Springs and support local shops throughout the season, and beyond.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
