Saratoga News

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Photograph by Kelly Hsiao

Dozens of couples filled the dance floor in the Village during the city's street dance held on Sept. 16.

Doing the Wave

Saratoga celebrates its 50th anniversary with a weekend parade downtown

By Jason Sweeney

The city of Saratoga wanted to throw an anniversary celebration that would leave people talking for the next 50 years--and residents were not disappointed.

The month-long celebrations wrapped up Sept. 24 with the city's first parade in five years. Among those who came out to help the city celebrate: eight high and middle school bands, Scout troops, dance troops, the Saratoga Nursery School on trikes and the Mt. Eden Vaulters.

With residents and businesses coming together in support of the city, people will not soon forget Saratoga's 50th anniversary.

"The citizen support was phenomenal and people have been so positive," said Paul Conrado, chairman of the anniversary committee. "I am really proud things have gone so well. I am sort of humbled to be the chairman."

After the parade, Saratogans, young and old, gathered at Wildwood Park for birthday cake and ice cream. Local restaurants and bakeries donated the 65 cakes that were cut into 5,000 pieces and passed out to the partygoers.

"It is great to get this many Saratogans in one spot," said Conrado, who served as grand marshal of the parade. "That just doesn't happen that often."

In addition to the parade, 29 other events rounded out the celebration.

"This has been a lot of fun," said Saratoga resident Nancy Rosenthal, who attended the Celebrate Saratoga street dance and whose three children marched with Sacred Heart School in the parade. "We usually go to the street dance every year, but this year was even more of a blast."