Two of my favorite local events of the whole year are happening this week.

Tomorrow night (Thursday, Dec. 3), from 6 to 10 p.m., Saratoga Springs will host its annual Victorian Streetwalk. It’s a blast.

The police close the main drag through downtown (Broadway) to all motor vehicle traffic.
It’s cool watching more than 10,000 visitors strolling up and down Broadway without having to worry about being run down by a distracted driver.

Up and down the street, singing groups cluster to perform carols and other songs. My favorites are usually the a cappella groups from Skidmore College — the Bandersnatchers, Drastic Measures, Sonneteers, Dynamics and Accents. Listening to some of these performers can be a truly uplifting experience.

Another one of my favorite stops at the Streetwalk is the Broadway Kettle Korn stand in the heart of downtown (next to Border’s). For about $5, you can get a big bag of freshly made Kettle Korn. It’s kind of like super-delicious Cracker Jacks. The lines can be long, so be prepared to wait for a few minutes. It’s worth it.

If you haven’t been to the Streetwalk before, this might just be your year. Some past Streetwalks have been downright miserable — blustery and rainy and whatnot. But the forecast for this year’s event is pretty favorable — clear skies and temps in the 40s.

So maybe I’ll see you there.

PS: Note to Spa City officials: One of the main reasons the Streetwalk is so wildly popular is because Broadway is closed to cars and trucks. Visitors love it. Maybe you could consider a similar Broadway closure for the Hats Off and Final Stretch weekends during the horse racing meet. I’ll bet the out-of-town visitors would love it, too.

College hoops

The other highlight of the weekend takes place Saturday night.

It’s the annual showdown between the region’s only two Division I basketball programs — the University at Albany vs. Siena. They face off at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center in Albany.

This game is a big fan favorite. The rivalry game was rekindled just a handful of years ago and it’s already a big game on the local hoops calendar.

Each year, local graduates of both schools gather for their own pre-game warmups (beer and wings, mostly) and then head to the game in packs to root on their teams. The night’s a big boon to Albany bars and restaurants.

Go Danes!

Miles Reed is the Gazette’s assignment editor.