Town Events


Photo Contest at Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve
Photo Contest at Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve

Submit your best photo taken in or of the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve!

Email entries to photocontest@cliftonpark.org between the dates of June 1st – September 1st, 2025. A photographer may submit up to 3 photographs. There is no restriction on age or residency of photographer. Each photograph needs to be submitted separately and should include title of photograph, along with contact information and division of photographer. File format must be JPG or PNG, using *.JPG or *.PNG as the file extension and should NOT have watermarks or logos.

Each year the contest will focus on a specific theme. Keep this theme in mind when capturing your shots. The theme of this year’s contest is HISTORY. 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal - a waterway that helped shape our nation! The Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve boasts several historical landmarks belonging to the Erie Canal. We encourage all photos to pertain to the Erie Canal or the rich history of the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve.

  • Photographs may be in color or black and white and must be original and taken by the entrant within the last 30 years.
  • Photographs should have a focus on nature, wildlife and/or historic sites. (Please, no selfies)
  • Submitting your photograph for the contest implies that you accept the terms and conditions.
  • Photographs will be displayed at a public event for all ages, no photographs deemed offensive will be displayed.
  • Photographs not in accordance with the above specifications will be disqualified.

Photographers will be divided into three divisions. The top two photos from each division will move forward to the second round of voting.  Please indicate which division you belong to:

  • Junior photographer: photographers ages 15 and under. Please submit with parent/guardian information.
  • Amateur photographer: ages 16+. (For ages 16-17, please submit with parent/guardian information)
  • Professional photographer

The first round of voting will take place on Facebook in the form of likes received from each picture. Photographs will be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TownofCliftonParkPhotoContest) Friday September 5th to Friday September 12th, 2025. The voting will close at 2 p.m. on September 12th. There are no requirements on who can vote. Voters may vote for more than one photograph. The top 2 photographs per division will be determined by which photographs receive the highest number of likes on Facebook.

Farm Fest 2025
Farm Fest 2025
Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21, 
Self-guided tours, activities and more, all weekend long!
A weekend of fun for the whole family, including demonstrations and farm tours,
apple picking, wagon rides, pony rides, corn maze, cider donuts, folk music and dancing, horses, sheep and goats, apple cider, and food!
Visit www.facebook.com/CliftonParkParksandRecreation for full details and schedule.
EVENT LOCATIONS INCLUDE:

Riverview Orchards • Bowman Orchards Shepherd’s Hey Farm • Historic Grooms Tavern • Robinson Ace Hardware • Vischer Ferry Fire Department • Vischer Ferry General Store • Amity Reformed Church • Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

Historic Preservation Commission
Historic Preservation Commission

The Town of Clifton Park, together with the Historic Preservation Commission, is committed to protecting and preserving the Town’s history. The Clifton Park Historic Preservation Commission is a volunteer body appointed by the Town Board with the purpose of preserving and enhancing Clifton Park’s historic resources. They provide technical assistance to owners of historic properties, advise the Town Board and Planning Board on matters of preservation and educate the residents of Clifton Park on the treasures of their heritage. The Commission meets at Historic Grooms Tavern at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Town residents interested in serving on the Commission can contact us at parksrec@cliftonpark.org.

First Fridays at Historic Grooms Tavern
First Fridays at Historic Grooms Tavern
Check out these free, family friendly presentations at Historic Grooms Tavern!

The Tavern is located at the corners of Grooms and Sugar Hill Roads in Clifton Park (290 Sugar Hill Road). Parking is off of Grooms Road to the rear. Please enter the building from the back entrance. Presentations typically run 1-2 hours, and all have a chance to explore the Historic Tavern afterward. All programs are free, require NO registration, and are open to the public.
Questions? Contact Parks and Recreation Department at 518-371-6667 or email parksrec@cliftonpark.org.

*No registration required*
Session Session Dates Location(s) Grade/Age Filled  
TRI-CITY PARANORMAL SOCIETY 10/03/2025 Historic Grooms Tavern 0/0
NEW YORK BIGFOOT SOCIETY 11/07/2025 Historic Grooms Tavern 0/0
Moonlight Hikes
Moonlight Hikes
(All ages welcome)
View nature in a new light and discover the beauty of nature illuminated by moonlight, as we explore Clifton Park trails and preserves under the full moon. Enjoy peaceful trails and a unique perspective on the wilderness after dark. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to nighttime adventures, these walks promise beautiful moments in nature. Don’t miss out – immerse yourself in the magic of the full moon with us!
 
Each walk will be of easy to moderate difficulty, child friendly, and will last approximately 45 minutes.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots, and bring flashlights or headlamps.
Free, but pre-registration is required. Event may be cancelled in poor weather.
All walks will take place at Garnsey Park, 1481 NY-146, just east of Nott Road & Wing Road
Session Session Dates Days of Week Location(s) Grade/Age Filled  
Harvest Moon 10/06/2025
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Garnsey Park, 1481 NY-146 10/30
Register
Beaver Moon 11/04/2025
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Garnsey Park, 1481 NY-146 5/30
Register
Cold Moon 12/04/2025
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Garnsey Park, 1481 NY-146 5/30
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Repair Cafe
Repair Cafe

REPAIR CAFE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Clifton Park Senior Community Center

Hosted by the Town of Clifton Park G.R.E.E.N Committee.
A Repair Café is a free community event with the goals of repairing broken objects to extend their life, keeping things out of landfills, and fostering an appreciation for the art of repairing things. Volunteer repair coaches will be available to help residents repair broken items free of charge. Bring your broken small electronics such as lamps, toasters, vacuums, coffee makers, wood items such as furniture and toys, mechanical non-electric items, clothing and textiles, and computers with problems, and bikes needing a tune-up. Our repair coaches will have you stay, watch, and learn how to fix your treasures and possessions.

We are always in need of REPAIR COACHES! Questions? Want to volunteer? Reach out to RepairCafeCliftonPark today!

Clifton Park Paper Shredding Day
Clifton Park Paper Shredding Day
Clifton Park Paper Shredding Day
Saturday, October 4, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
Clifton Park Center Mall parking lot, between DMV and Boscov's
PROTECT YOUR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION!

The Town and its specialized partner, ConfiData, Division of Empire Recycling, will be at Clifton Park Center parking lot between Boscov’s and the Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicles with onsite shredding. This is a free, drive-thru service. Please bring a donation of non-perishables for local food pantries. Limited to 4 huge bags or boxes of papers. Please, no junk mail, binders, plastic carriers or folders, or metal spiral books. All paper will be shredded on site and then recycled.

This free service is provided to Town of Clifton Park residents only.
Drivers are asked to have their identification available.
Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon
Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon
This event is being held at Riverview Orchards, 660 Riverview Road in Rexford, NY
Sunday, October 19 at 8:30 a.m.

Each year the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon attracts top regional multi-sport athletes, as well as recreational runners and bikers. The courses are through rural, fall-foliage lined landscapes along the Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway.
 
The event is a 2-mile run/12-mile bike/2-mile run to the finish and is sanctioned by the USA Triathlon. Each year, the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon attracts top regional multi-sport athletes, as well as recreational runners and bikers. The first 130 registrants receive a commemorative item! Two person teams are welcome: a runner and a cyclist.
Awards for overall male and female first place, and first, second, and third place male & female finish in each 10-year increment starting with 19 and under. Awards also for first place male team, female team, and mixed team.
Register at:
Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat
Join us on Clifton Common for a hauntingly fun time!
Dress up in your favorite costume and spirit your way from trunk to trunk!
Starpoint church is sponsoring this event with free hot dogs, chips and drinks.
There will also be pony rides and a petting zoo. No rain date.
This is a free event, no registration required!
Date: Friday October 24, 2025

Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Site: 16 Clifton Common Blvd, Clifton Park

All trunk or treat CARS must pre-register online at Starpoint.church/trunkortreat
Pumpkin Smash!
Pumpkin Smash!
DON'T TRASH IT, SMASH IT!
Instead of letting your old pumpkins haunt the landfill, have a fun time SMASHING them into compost!
Bring pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, and gourds for a SMASHING GOOD TIME!
You SMASH them, and we will COMPOST them!
 
Saturday November 8
Bowman Orchards 10:00am-2:00pm
Sunday November 9
Bowman Orchards 10:00am-2:00pm

St. Edward's Church 12:00pm-2:00pm
 
Can't make it to the Pumpkin Smash? Drop off pumpkins at the Transfer Station during normal business hours (for free!)
Let's keep pumpkins out of the landfill!

Hosted by the Town of Clifton Park G.R.E.E.N Committee