518 Day will be celebrated in Albany on Saturday, May 16, a new event celebrating the Capital Region and the people, places, and traditions that make the area so unique. 518 Day features a full day of family-friendly activities and entertainment in downtown Albany, including the 5.18K Road Race, a 518 Vendor Village, a Local Music Showcase by Metroland Now, a Melba Madness stroll, and more.
The day kicks off with the inaugural 518 Day 5.18K, a first-of-its-kind road race co-produced by the BID, Common Roots Brewing Company, and Cap City Runners, administered by the Albany Running Exchange. The Kids 1K begins at 8:30 AM, followed by the 5.18K at 9:00 AM. The 5.18-kilometer course, named in honor of the Capital Region’s 518 area code, starts on Broadway and Hudson Ave., crosses the Skyway, continues along the Mohawk-Hudson Trail, and finishes at Quackenbush Square. Race medals will be presented at 9:45 AM to the top finishers of the 5.18K in each age group.
The celebration continues with a variety of free, public activities at 10:00 AM.
Historic Albany Foundation will offer tours of the Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Avenue, showcasing recent preservation updates that honor its history. The tours will conclude at 2:00 PM.
Visitors can explore the 518 Vendor Village at Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square, featuring a curated market of regional vendors selling 518-themed goods. Highlights include Upstate of Mind, offering New York-themed apparel, Wright Cellars with homemade Melba sauces and jams, and New Scotland Spirits, featuring their signature spirits, among others.
From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Local Music Showcase by Metroland Now will highlight a variety of regional talent at the Clinton Market Collective, starting with a live stream of their new radio station.
The 518 Day Local Music Showcase by Metroland will feature performances by:
- Caity Gallagher I 11:00 AM
- Ky McClinton Band I 12:00 PM
- Girl Blue I 1:00 PM
- Super 400 I 2:30 PM
Starting at 12:00 PM, guests can take part in the first-ever Downtown Albany Melba Madness stroll, where participating restaurants and eateries will serve creative bites featuring the Capital Region’s signature Melba sauce. Tickets are available for $30 in advance or $40 on the day of the event.
Modeled after Downtown Albany’s popular Hot Chocolate Stroll, participants will receive a map of locations along with a ballot. Anyone who visits ten or more stops and submits their ballots at the end of the Stroll will automatically be entered to win two tickets to the Hot Chocolate Stroll, with up to five chances to win.
In addition to a people’s choice winner, a Melba champion will be crowned by a panel of judges comprised of prominent voices in the 518 food scene, including Nellie Ackerman (@feedme518) and Dominick Colello (@domcreviews).
The Melba Madness winner will be announced on Monday, May 18, officially recognized as 518 Day. See below for the list of participating Melba Madness Stroll locations and a full breakdown of the day’s activities.
- A Slice Of That | 123 Madison Ave
- Banh Mi 47 | 74 N Pearl St
- Jack’s Oyster House | 42 State St
- Hilton Albany | 40 Lodge St
- Loch & Quay | 414 Broadway
- Ophelia’s on Broadway | 388 Broadway
- RiiLaxx Tavern | 4 Sheridan Ave
- Stacks Espresso Bar | 488 Broadway
- The City Beer Hall | 42 Howard St
- The Excelsior Pub | 54 Philip St (Opens at 3:00 PM)
- The Hollow Bar + Kitchen | 79 N Pearl St
- The Yard: Sports Bar & Hatchet House | 16 Sheridan Ave
- Viva Empanadas Latin Kitchen | 90 N Pearl St
- Wellington’s | 144 State St
518 Day Activities:
- 8:30 AM I Kids’ 1K
- 9:00 AM I 5.18K
- 10:00 AM I Vendor Village
- 11:00 AM I Live Music
- 12:00 PM I Melba Madness Stroll
- 4:00 PM I 518 Day Celebration Closes
- 5:00 PM I Painting the Night w/ParkAlbany
Guests are encouraged to stick around Downtown for ParkAlbany’s “Painting the Night” event at 5:00 PM at Quackenbush Square, an energetic and artistic evening filled with amazing art and artists.
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