Saratoga Springs 4th of July celebrations

Independence Day celebrations happening all across the Capital Region Thursday. While many wait for the fireworks to spectacularly light up the night skies, some have already started the celebrations.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Independence Day celebrations happening all across the Capital Region Thursday. While many wait for the fireworks to spectacularly light up the night skies, some have already started the celebrations.

Festivities around Saratoga Springs happening on land and on water. But first, it started off with a bang at the annual Firecracker 4 Race.

The Firecracker 4 Race kicked-off the All-American Celebration in Downtown Saratoga Springs.

“It was a great day to run, the weather was beautiful. A little hot but...the course is great as always,” said runner Lauren Scarupa.

It’s the biggest Independence Day race in the northeast. It regularly draws more than 2,500 runners.

Many of them chose to keep the good times rolling and attended the post-race All-American Brunch Party at the Kindred, where there was more music and festive attire.

“The vibe was great. It was super festive. I’m not a runner but it was great. There was so much energy, so many people out there lining the streets, cheering you on. It was really a fun day,” said Kindred Owner Ryan McFadden, who ran in the race.

On Saratoga Lake, patriots decked out their vessels for the boat parade. And the patriotic vibes were also felt over at Saratoga National Historical Park at a naturalization ceremony. 

20 new U.S. citizens were welcomed and sworn in during a ceremony celebrating Independence Day. New citizens, like Julian Lauron from Paris. He moved to the U.S. after college for a job and didn’t anticipate he’d stay for 15 years.

“Now I’m married to my wife Susie, she’s from here, she’s American. And we have a baby boy Liam and he’s also American, born last year. So, now we are all American,” said Lauron.

He said he’s proud to officially be an American citizen on the Fourth of July.

“It was a great day. It was good to be a part of the ceremony and also join the United States with all these other citizens, new citizens as of today,” said Lauron.

The annual Flag Day Parade also took place in the Spa City on Thursday. It had been postponed from its original date due to the Belmont Stakes Festival.

The Tops of Trees band is set to perform on Ellsworth Jones Place at 7:30 p.m. post-parade, followed by the grand finale – the fireworks show at the City Center Parking Garage at 9:00 p.m.