Turning Point Festival 2025

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A Mile March That Shaped the World

• Start Time

  1:00pm, Parade steps off on August 3rd along Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY.

• Location

  Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY

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Parade Information

Historical Week Programming

• Monday, August 4th

  Colonial Life for Kids
  Time: 11:30 a.m.
  What was it like to grow up in the colonies? Join Joy Hanchett at the Schuylerville Public Library to explore the daily experiences of 18th-century children. Learn about their education, chores, health, and pastimes—and sample a sweet treat from the era!
  • Location: Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry Street
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • Ages: 6–12 recommended; all are welcome
  • Hands-On History

  Twilight on the Trails
  Time: 8:00 p.m.
  Experience Hudson Crossing Park by the light of the full moon. As dusk settles, observe crepuscular creatures—foxes, deer, bats, and fireflies—on this sensory-rich, family-friendly walk.
  • All ages welcome
  • All abilities welcome
  • Group size limited to 20 — register early!
  • Registration required: www.hudsoncrossingpark.org/twilight-on-the-trails

• Tuesday, August 5th

  Writing the Revolution
  Time: 2:00 p.m.
  Join Anne Clothier, Assistant to the County Historian, to explore how words helped shape the Revolution. Examine replicas of 18th-century broadsides and letters, then try writing with a quill, printing with a block, and setting type. Toys and games from the era will also be available.
  • Location: Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry Street
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • Ages: 6–12 recommended; all are welcome

  Hikes & History Cruises
  Time: 2:00 p.m.
  Blend local history and ecology on this boat-and-hike adventure. Participants are split into two groups: one hikes ¾ mile along a mowed trail while the other enjoys a Mohawk Maiden Cruises boat ride. Groups switch halfway at the Canal Overlook.
  • Distance: ¾ mile
  • Duration: 1+ hour
  • Suggested: Water, sun protection, bug spray, and sturdy shoes
  • Best for ages 12+
  • Registration required: www.hudsoncrossingpark.org/hikes-and-history-cruises

  Women of the Saratoga Campaign
  Time: 6:30 p.m.
  We know the names—Burgoyne, Arnold, Schuyler—but what about the women? Anne Clothier shares powerful stories of women who served, suffered, and persevered during the Saratoga Campaign.
  • Location: Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry Street
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • Women’s history
  • All ages welcome

• Wednesday, August 6th

  Native New York
  Time: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  Drop in to explore Indigenous life in the Saratoga region. Charlene DuBuque, Director of Education at the Saratoga County History Center, leads hands-on sessions about food, shelter, and seasonal traditions of Northeastern Woodland Nations.
  • Location: Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street
  • Drop-in | Plan for ~1 hour
  • Hands-On History
  • All ages welcome

  Stories Beneath Our Feet: A Walk Through Hudson Crossing Park
  Time: 4:00–5:30 p.m.
  Join historian Mike Bielkiewicz for a walk along the Champlain Canalway Trail. Discover the land’s deep history—from First Nations to Burgoyne’s “Bridge of Boats” to canal-era industry and the Underground Railroad.
  • Location: Meet at the Dix Bridge area, Hudson Crossing Park
  • Distance: 1.5 miles
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Suggested: Water, sun protection, bug spray, and sturdy shoes
  • All ages welcome

• Thursday, August 7th

  Schuyler’s Saratoga
  Time: 4:00–5:15 p.m.
  Take a walking tour of Schuylerville with Town Historian Sean Kelleher, Vice Chairman of Saratoga 250. Visit the grounds of General Philip Schuyler’s estate and learn about his Revolutionary leadership.
  • Location: Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street
  • Distance: 1 mile
  • Duration: 1 hr 15 min
  • Suggested: Water, sun protection, bug spray, and sturdy shoes
  • On-site parking available
  • All ages welcome

  An Evening with General Schuyler
  Time: 6:30 p.m.
  Experience the Revolution through the eyes of General Philip Schuyler in this first-person portrayal by local historian Jon Jasewicz.
  • Location: Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • Living History
  • All ages welcome

• Friday, August 8th

  Saratoga County Water Works
  Time: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  Explore the science and history of water with educator Charlene DuBuque. Kids test pH levels, trace log drives, and compare waterwheel technologies in this hands-on STEM activity.
  • Location: Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street
  • Drop-in | Plan for ~1 hour
  • Hands-On History
  • All ages welcome

  Trails of Revolution: Knox, Schuyler, and the Winter That Forged America
  Time: 6:30 p.m.
  Join Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher for a vivid look at the 1775–76 winter campaign that changed the course of the war. Learn how Henry Knox hauled cannon from Ticonderoga and how General Schuyler’s actions helped lift the Siege of Boston.
  • Location: Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • All ages welcome

• Saturday, August 9th

  19th Annual Cardboard Boat Races Festival
  Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
  Join Hudson Crossing Park for “Boats and Beacons: Landmarks Along the World’s Canals,” celebrating the Erie Canal Bicentennial. Teams build and race boats made entirely of cardboard and duct tape across the Hudson! Tower-building contests, food vendors, and awards for creativity make this a highlight of the summer.
  • Location: Fort Hardy Park Beach, Schuylerville
  • Info & registration: www.hudsoncrossingpark.org/cardboard-boat-races
  • Family-friendly
  • Multiple prize categories
  • Cardboard only — creativity required

  Turning Point Festival at Fort Hardy Park
  Time: Starts at 4:00 p.m.
  Cap off the week with live music, food trucks, local drinks, and fireworks over the Hudson River. Bring your family, appetite, and a chair for this can’t-miss summer tradition!
  • Location: Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville
  • Suggested: Water, bug spray, sun protection, and a chair
  • Family-friendly

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