Inside the Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market 2026 Season | Buying Local #77

Buying Local — Episode 77
Guest: Steve Miraglia, Market Manager of the Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market
Host: Mike Nelson

Mike Nelson:
Welcome, everyone, to Buying Local. I’m your host, Mike Nelson from Five Towers Media. Excited about today’s episode. I’ve been on a little bit of a break here for the last few weeks, so I feel like I haven’t done a podcast in a while and maybe I’m a little rusty. But I’m joined today by Steve Miraglia. Everybody who listens knows that I always mess up last names, no matter how simple they are, so if you wouldn’t mind, just go ahead and introduce yourself — who you are and what you do.

Steve Miraglia:
No problem, Mike, and thanks for having me. My name is Steve Miraglia. I am the secretary of the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, or BSPA for short, and I run our farmers market, which will be starting on June 13 this year.

Mike Nelson:
Very nice. I’m excited to talk about the farmers market because I love farmers markets, and I’m a bit of a hobby farmer myself — always trying to grow things, although not always successfully. I’ve heard about the BSPA over the years and know a little bit about what they do, but for listeners who may not, give us the 30,000-foot view.

Steve Miraglia:
Of course. The BSPA is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the downtown area of Ballston Spa and supporting local businesses there. We function similarly to a chamber of commerce. Basically, we’re trying to attract people downtown to see everything we have to offer. We do that through events, networking opportunities, and generally getting the word out about our village.

Mike Nelson:
The village has a ton of businesses going on, especially in the downtown area.

Steve Miraglia:
It really does. In the past few years, we’ve seen more and more businesses moving in. It’s a great place to hang out, shop, get some food, and grab a beer.

Mike Nelson:
Absolutely. Speckled Pig has amazing beer and pizza.

Steve Miraglia:
And I believe they’re opening, or have recently opened, a distillery as well.

Mike Nelson:
I’ll have to reach back out to those guys and get them on the show.

Steve Miraglia:
You should.

Mike Nelson:
My wife and I also love the antique stores downtown. We were there around Mother’s Day and picked up a few things.

Steve Miraglia:
Our whole dining room came from those antique stores.

Mike Nelson:
That’s awesome. The downtown area is just such a cool place. You’ve got restaurants, shops, outdoor seating — it has a great atmosphere.

Steve Miraglia:
A lot of places have outdoor seating now — Front Street Social Club, Next Door Kitchen & Bar, and several others. It adds to the vibe.

Mike Nelson:
If someone wants to get involved with the BSPA, is membership limited to businesses in Ballston Spa?

Steve Miraglia:
Not at all. Businesses from outside the village can join, and we have members from Ballston Lake, Burnt Hills, Saratoga, and surrounding communities. Membership is also open to residents and nonprofits. Residents receive coupon benefits from participating downtown businesses. Some event participation is limited to members, but attending events as a customer is open to everyone.

Mike Nelson:
What kinds of events does the BSPA put on?

Steve Miraglia:
We have events throughout the year, with a heavier schedule in the summer. One of the big winter events is Chocolate Fest, where participating businesses host chocolatiers and visitors can sample chocolates and vote for their favorites. In the summer, we have the farmers market, Movies in the Park, and weekly concerts at Old Iron Spring Park. In the fall, our biggest event is the Way We Were Car Show, which brings hundreds of classic cars and thousands of visitors to the village. We wrap up the year with a holiday parade in December.

Mike Nelson:
Movies in the Park sounds fun. What kinds of movies do you show?

Steve Miraglia:
Family-friendly movies. This year we’re planning titles including National Treasure, A Goofy Movie, and 50 First Dates.

Mike Nelson:
And the car show is basically a full-day downtown event?

Steve Miraglia:
Exactly. We close a large portion of the village, line the streets with classic cars, and have food vendors, local businesses, and activities throughout the area.

Mike Nelson:
I honestly would have assumed the village government organized all of that.

Steve Miraglia:
A lot of people do. The BSPA organizes those events, plus networking breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, and other business-support activities throughout the year.

Mike Nelson:
Where should people go to learn more about the BSPA?

Steve Miraglia:
Our website is ballston.org. We’re also active on Facebook and Instagram, and those are great places to find event updates and contact information.

Mike Nelson:
Let’s talk farmers market. Give us the overview.

Steve Miraglia:
The market runs from June 13 through October 3, every Saturday except the Fourth of July weekend. We’re in Wiswall Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You’ll find produce, baked goods, prepared foods, local farms, and artisan vendors. This year we’ve added even more variety, including Salvadoran food, Mediterranean food, and other specialty offerings. We usually have live music, and the renovated park and gazebo make it a beautiful setting.

Mike Nelson:
That’s the park right in the center of town, right?

Steve Miraglia:
Yes, Wiswall Park is right downtown. Old Iron Spring Park is the other park we mentioned earlier for the concerts.

Mike Nelson:
That downtown really has a special feel — small-town charm but still a lot going on.

Steve Miraglia:
That’s exactly how residents see it. The historic buildings, the walkability, and the activity level give it a great balance.

Mike Nelson:
For someone who hasn’t been, how big is the market?

Steve Miraglia:
We’re definitely smaller than markets like Saratoga or Troy. We usually have between a dozen and twenty vendors, depending on the week. This year we’re allowing vendors to sign up by individual market dates instead of requiring a full-season commitment, so the mix will vary a bit from week to week.

Mike Nelson:
Are most of the vendors local?

Steve Miraglia:
Yes. Many are local farms and businesses. A few longtime staples are My Other Garden and Cormaster Farms. They’ve been part of the market for years and really care about the community.

Mike Nelson:
You mentioned that you’ve had a lot of new vendors reaching out this year. What’s driving that?

Steve Miraglia:
A big factor was Peach Fest. Last year we added Peach Fest and Autumn Fest as larger themed market days. Peach Fest got a surprising amount of attention — social media engagement, news coverage, and a huge turnout. We had lines around the block for peaches. That exposure helped new vendors discover the market. I also think our size works well for newer businesses: we’re large enough to attract customers, but not so large that vendors have to compete with hundreds of others for visibility.

Mike Nelson:
As a shopper, I actually like a smaller market. Too many options can get overwhelming.

Steve Miraglia:
Exactly. People can take their time, talk to vendors, and get to know them.

Mike Nelson:
Who are you personally excited to see this year?

Steve Miraglia:
One is Cheyenne Ben’s Chicken. They’re returning to the area after several years in Atlanta and will be bringing homemade comfort food and fried chicken. I’m also excited about adding yoga at the market. A local group, Sahaja Yoga, will offer classes in the park in the morning before the market gets busy.

Mike Nelson:
So the market is becoming more of an experience, not just a shopping trip.

Steve Miraglia:
That’s the goal. People enjoy having something to do — yoga, live music, themed events — in addition to shopping. It helps build community and keeps the market growing.

Mike Nelson:
Peach Fest is coming back?

Steve Miraglia:
Yes. Peach Fest is scheduled for August 15, and Autumn Fest returns on October 3. We’re planning to promote Peach Fest heavily because the response last year was so strong.

Mike Nelson:
Why peaches? Around here people usually think blueberries and apples.

Steve Miraglia:
Exactly, and that was part of the thinking. Peaches are in season right in the middle of our market season, they’re versatile for baked goods and desserts, and there wasn’t another big peach-themed event in the area. I also have to give credit to Tatiana from Yellow Corners Shop — she came up with the idea and was instrumental in making it happen.

Mike Nelson:
Besides food, do you have craft vendors too?

Steve Miraglia:
Absolutely. We have candles, jewelry, sewn goods, soaps, and other handmade products. One longtime favorite is White Falcon Soap. They come every year, and I actually buy my own soap from them.

Mike Nelson:
All right, one more time for everyone listening: when does the season start?

Steve Miraglia:
Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wiswall Park in downtown Ballston Spa.

Mike Nelson:
Yoga in the morning, live music during the market, local food, farms, and artisans — sounds like a great Saturday.

Steve Miraglia:
That’s exactly what we’re aiming for.

Mike Nelson:
Where should people follow for updates?

Steve Miraglia:
Ballston.org, plus the BSPA Facebook and Instagram pages. We post vendor lists, event announcements, and weekly updates there.

Mike Nelson:
Steve, thanks for taking the time to join us and tell everyone what’s happening in Ballston Spa.

Steve Miraglia:
Thanks for having me. I appreciate the chance to share what we’re working on.

Mike Nelson:
And thanks to everyone for listening. You can find us at buyinglocal.us and on Spotify, Apple, Rumble, and YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. Thanks for listening.