The International Spa Heritage Festival will be held at Saratoga Spa State Park October 9-10, 2024. This festival, part of the Centennial Celebration for the 100-year anniversary of the New York State Park System, will celebrate the spa heritage of the park and city and aim to position them as a premier health and wellness destination.
The event will be open to the public and feature a conference with guest speakers, a community festival, and an international health and wellness travel expo.
The highlight of the event is the arrival of a delegation from the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), to honor Saratoga Spa’s heritage and share European spa culture with Americans. Certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, EHTTA is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Europe’s mineral thermal waters and spa towns’ heritage.
It represents 50 thermal destinations in 18 European countries, Saratoga Spa State Park became an international partner of EHTTA two years ago. The delegation includes European officials, mayors, and tourism leaders from more than 11 countries, including Italy, Spain, Croatia, Germany, and France.
Established in 1909 to protect the waters from commercial exploitation, Saratoga Spa State Park became a renowned spa destination for bathing and drinking mineral water for health benefits. The park is known for its waters, classical architecture, and natural beauty.
In 1935, extensive development championed by Franklin D. Roosevelt created the iconic architecture that the park is known for today, much of which was directly modeled after the great spas of Europe.
Today, Saratoga Spa State Park is one of New York’s top five most visited State Parks and a National Historical Landmark. The baths remain open, thanks to the operation of the Roosevelt Baths, a private partner of the park.
Like its counterparts in Europe, Saratoga Spa State Park includes numerous cultural, recreational, and wellness opportunities for visitors including live performances at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), museums, golfing, yoga classes and numerous walking paths through shaded forest.
The two-day celebration includes:
Wednesday, October 9
· Guest Speaker Series and Conference – Celebrate the NYS Parks Centennial and discover what it means to be a spa town and learn about Saratoga Spa State Park’s European heritage
· Family-friendly Community Festival – A free festival featuring the Spa City Farmer’s Market, artisan fair, guided tours, food trucks, and live entertainment
· Evening Jazz Bar at the Hall of Springs
Thursday, October 10
· Health & Wellness Expo & European Spa Town Showcase – Explore European spa towns at this expo
· Bathrobe Walk – Join EHTTA in their signature closing event, a leisurely stroll through Saratoga Spa State Park in their bathrobes
According to a Global Wellness Institute report, wellness tourism is projected to double by 2027, with significant growth in thermal/mineral springs and mental wellness.
The festival is co-produced by EHTTA with additional partners including I LOVE NY, City of Saratoga Springs, Discover Saratoga, Saratoga Spa Performing Arts Center, and the Natural Heritage Trust. For more information on the Spa International Heritage Festival or to inquire about sponsorship or participation, visit this website.
Illustration: Baruch Research Institute at what is now Saratoga Spa State Park.
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