First Friday events are held on the First Friday of every month. Enjoy special happenings in many downtown shops, restaurants and museums– including featured shop promotions, art displays and demonstrations, live music, refreshments, with many venues open later into the evening.
October’s First Friday is October 5.
As always, October’s First Friday Theme is School Spirit and Community Pride. We know you will all be getting ready for the BSCSD Community Spirit Parade and Homecoming the following weekend (October 12th).
In the meantime, this First Friday, we will celebrate our small business community and all the reasons to:“Love Local” #LiveBSpa
Visitors to Ballston Spa on Friday, October 5 can pick up a “Love Local” Card at any participating business. Each time you make a purchase at a participating business, that purchase will be recorded on your card. After you have enjoyed all the First Friday Festivities and shopped your hearts out, turn in your card at any participating business before leaving our Village of Friends.
The visitor who spends the most in our participating businesses will win a $50 Ballston Spa Gift Certificate with swag from our unique local shops!
The visitor who makes purchases (in any amount) in the greatest number of participating businesses will win a $25 Ballston Spa Gift Certificate and some extra goodies too from our local businesses!
Winners will be announced and contacted one week after the event following tally of all the entries.
Shop Local with us!
Check out First Friday Venues below.
Remember to purchase your First Friday Fanatic pin for $1 at most First Friday venues and use it every First Friday for special discounts at participating First Friday businesses.
Thank you for supporting our downtown businesses every month!
First Fridays is proudly brought to you by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association.
Sponsored By:
Pull down locations below for more details.
First Friday Locations
Front / Low / Charlton St.
Saratoga County Historical Society @ Brookside Museum
6 Charlton Street
Brookside Museum will be open for First Friday from 5 pm – 9 pm
Join us for an English Country Dance with DanceFlurry! No experience or partner necessary to join in this fun, flirtatous frolic. Dances taught by Don Bell, with live music provided by Heart’ s Ease. Free admission. Hosted by the Brookside Museum/Saratoga County Historical Society and the DanceFlurry Organization.
Milton Ave. / Rt. 50
Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY
Celebrating First Friday with the village businesses and Community Pride Week. Stop by and visit with us–enjoy refreshments and simple crafts!
Whitehouse Restaurant
93 Milton Avenue, BRING INSIDE RESTAURANT
Enjoy our famous Whitehouse Pizza, only available on First Fridays, 5–9 p.m., Eat In or Take Out! Lunch menu also available.
Prospect St.
The Candle Collective
20 Prospect Street, Building 2, Suite 214
The studio will be open 12:00-6:00 pm during October’s First Friday. Join us and create a candle for you or for someone special. 10% off candle creations that day. We will also be participating in the Love Local #LiveBspa so stop by and pick up your Love Local Card.
News
The People and Places of July’s First Friday
Some of the friendly faces and special places on July’s First Friday. ” ngg_triggers_display=”never” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
2018 Chocolate Fest-February 2, 2018
Our Chocolate Fest judges, Vic, Lanie, Bill, Glenn and Noah, had the tough assignment of tasting ALL the entries— a chocolate smorgasbord! And the judges’ choices for the best of the 2018 Chocolate Fest are— Savory: Chocolate pulled pork with slaw by Sweeney’s at 50 Shades of Hair Dessert (Sweet): A TIE Assorted Chocolate cheesecakes… Read more »
May First Friday–Ribbon Cutting, Student Artwork and Tasty Treats
May’s First Friday saw a celebration of student artists with displays in several venues throughout downtown. We also officially welcomed CMK & Associates Real Estate to the village with a ribbon cutting, joined by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County. ” ngg_triggers_display=”never” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
April First Friday “Pick A Reading Partner” Photos
April’s First Friday brought out families to visit many of our downtown businesses and enjoy listening to readers, as we celebrated “Pick A Reading Partner Night” with Ballston Spa elementary schools. Thank you to all our “mystery readers” who volunteered their time and to all the venues who hosted them! ” ngg_triggers_display=”never” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
April First Friday Mystery Readers Wanted!
The Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) Reading Celebration is Friday, April 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The event is being coordinated by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, First Friday business participants and the local elementary schools and PTAs. PARP is a program designed to encourage parents, family members and friends to read to… Read more »
Ribbon Cutting for Avon Products/Team Best–New Location!
On March 3, 2017, the BSBPA celebrated with a ribbon cutting to mark the grand re-opening of Avon Products/Team Best’s new, larger location at 102 Milton Avenue. Joining us, along with owners Darryl & Sherry Best and Heather Couvertier, were Ballston Spa mayor John Romano, Chamber of Southern Saratoga County’s Pete Bardunias, BSBPA board members, fellow… Read more »
2017 Chocolate Fest–How Sweet It Was!
Hundreds came out on a chilly February evening to stroll the village and sample a delicious assortment of chocolate specialties offered by chocolate chefs, ranging from sweet to savory to beverages. Visitors also enjoyed art shows, special sales and music on the First Friday. The competition for our taste buds was fierce! Here are our… Read more »
2017 Chocolate Fest Premier Sponsor
We are proud to announce Prolific Marketing as our Premier Event Sponsor for our 4th Annual Chocolate Fest, First Friday, February 3rd, from 6-9pm. Thank you to this wonderful team for their support!
2017 Chocolate Fest Application
Prospective chocolate chefs for the 2017 Chocolate Fest, please read the entry information, and print, fill out and return the application, along with your $15 application fee to BSBPA/2017 Chocolate Fest, PO Box 386, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Any questions, please contact the First Friday committee: firstfridays@ballston.org.
2017 Chocolate Fest Sponsorship Opportunities
PREMIER SPONSORSHIP HAS BEEN FILLED AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Pay for your sponsorship online
Chocolate Fest 2017 is coming!
The 4th Annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Festival is coming up on First Friday, February 3rd, 2017 from 6-9pm. Below is all the info about the event for businesses and those interested in being a Chocolate Chef in the festival. What is Chocolate Fest? As part of our monthly First Friday Events, we will continue to… Read more »
Recap: August 2016 First Friday
Highlights from August First Friday–Arts Fest, Ribbon Cutting and Movie in the Park “Cinderella”