The Scene To Be Seen – For A Quarter Century
Carrie Rowlands Johnson
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Long bubblegum pink nails conceal the soft pads of my fingertips as they reach under my left forearm, massaging the skin and restoring circulation. Shifting my posture, I stand upright and look down at my arms, exposing a pattern of blood-red symmetrical lines temporarily branded by the firm surface of the roughly-cut bar.
I focus my gaze on the man pouring and fetching drinks of all flavors, determined to catch his eye before any one of the dozens of other ‘thirsties,’ men and women dressed in shades of blacks, reds, pinks, yellows and golds… flaunting pieces of their fine Saratoga track wardrobe.
Finding success with my current mission, I shift my gaze around the venue. It’s a scene that feels much like home to me: Saratoga in the summer, THE party on the eve of what Saratogians fondly refer to as “Opening Day,” the start of the month and a half long horse racing meet. Siro’s Cup, benefitting The Center for Disability Services – is a staple here for twenty-five years running.
I reach for my drink and pause to hold the tiny straw to my lips. I wonder if it might be a bit quieter this year. I say a silent prayer that the new managers of Siro’s find a way to bring this once fabulous outdoor venue back to its glory days holding court as THE traditional first stop after a day at the races and before an evening, or well-deserved long night out downtown…. The place to see and be seen, hosting socialites like Marylou Whitney and any several of The Riggis; jockeys; and even celebrities… booking fantastic cover bands that keep the party rocking all night, or at least until their next stop at The Horseshoe.
Starting tonight, and for the remainder of the meet, Saratogians open our streets, our restaurants and our hearts in a great big welcome to the rest of the Capital Region, the state, the country… the world. Tonight, here at Siro’s, we celebrate the unofficial kickoff. And we do what we here in Saratoga do best: we party for a worthy cause.
Though you’ll see the typical gala-goers in the crowd, this party is not exclusive. Anyone with enough money left on his credit card is welcome to buy a ticket. And really, isn’t that why we are all here? Aside from the fluff and finery and finesse, we are all here to support what we all acknowledge is a more-than-worthwhile cause, The Center for Disability Services. Raise a glass all, to a fabulous Saratoga summer!
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GALLERY OF GLAM: 25th ANNUAL SIRO’S CUP
Siro’s Cup is a benefit for the Center for Disability Services Foundation, Inc.
Proceeds from Siro’s Cup support and fund vital medical and dental services and equipment needs at Center Health Care; mobility equipment for students and adults who have disabilities; communication devices and renovations at the Center’s fully accessible Clover Patch Camp.
The Center is a resource for people of all ages who have disabilities or health related conditions and it provides programs and services often not found anywhere else. The Center, known as the place where people get better at life has a 76 year history in the Capital Region.
Photos: Arthur Gonick
+ Anna Jastrzab
July 23, 2018
