518 Day Presser Image

518 Day Celebration to Feature Road Race, Vendors, Live Music, and Melba Madness Stroll 

 

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to launch a new event celebrating the Capital Region and the people, places, and traditions that make this area of New York so unique. 518 Day will take place on Saturday, May 16, featuring 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.  

 

There are plenty of reasons for runners to sign up in addition to bragging rights. Pre-registered children who run the 1K will receive a commemorative T-shirt and medal, while pre-registered adults will receive a T-shirt (available on a first-come, first-served basis) and a drink ticket courtesy of Common Roots Brewing Company. 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: 

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. 

 

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.  
 

The Downtown Albany BID thanks the City of Albany, Cap City Runners, Common Roots Brewing Company, Albany Convention Center Authority, Capitalize Albany, CIS Center for Internet Security, CS Arch, Fort Orange General Store, Metroland Now, ParkAlbany, and Wainschaf Associates for their generous support of the 518 Day Celebration.

 

Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director, said: 

“This 518 Day event has been years in the making, and I’m thrilled to see our collective planning and hard work come to life next month. Our goal is for this celebration to reflect the very best of the Capital Region, from the 5.18K, which highlights our hometown pride and close-knit community, to the Melba Madness stroll showcasing our talented chefs and vibrant food scene, to a live music lineup that echoes the creativity of our region. It’s a day filled with special moments that truly feel like something uniquely ours. Bring your kids, your parents, your friends, or come solo. There’s something for everyone, and it’s a great way to have fun while supporting our community. 

I’m incredibly thankful to our partners who helped bring all the pieces together over the past several months, and deeply grateful to our sponsors for their support of this event.” 

 

Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs said: 

“518 Day is a celebration of everything that makes Albany and the Capital Region special. It brings together our small businesses, our artists, our local food, and our residents into one shared experience in the heart of downtown. Events like this create energy, support our local economy, and give residents and visitors a reason to come together and spend time in our city. I am grateful to the Downtown BID and all of the partners who helped bring this event to life. As we continue to turn the lights back on in Albany, these are the partners that make it possible. This is how we continue building a vibrant, active downtown and showcasing the pride we have in Albany.” 

 

State Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) said: 

"518 Day has solidified itself as a hallmark event in Albany — one that's driven by the culture of New York State's Capital City. During this time of the year, the best place to be is outside with friends and family. After a long winter, it's important that our neighbors come together and participate in the plethora of activities offered by our community like the unique 5.18k, the Melba Madness Stroll, and the Metroland Music Showcase. Whether you're attending to get a running PR, or to listen to music, I encourage everyone to come out and support the vibrant community that make events like this possible. I'm looking forward to another successful 518 day!" 

 

Angelo Maddox, Co-Founder of Cap City Runners, said: 

"There's no activity more accessible or more powerful at building community than walking and running. Cap City Runners is proud to partner with Downtown Albany BID, Common Roots, Fort Orange General Store, and the City of Albany to host Albany's first 5.18K race. This is more than a race it’s a movement for the 518. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, this is your opportunity to be part of something bigger; Health, Unity, and Community Pride. We invite everyone to register, show up, and help us make history together. 

 

Rich Wilson, Director of Food, Beverage & Taproom Operations at Common Roots Brewing Company, said: 

“As a proud member of the 5-1-8 community, Common Roots Brewing Company is thrilled to be part of 5-1-8 Day. Every registered racer will receive a coupon on their race bib, redeemable on 5-1-8 Day at the Albany Outpost or Clinton Market Collective. The Outpost opens at 9 AM for beer and coffee, and we’ll also be popping up at the afternoon vendor village with beer, cider, canned cocktails, and N/A options. 

We’re grateful to the Downtown BID and Cap City Runners for this collaboration, and we raise a big cheers to the volunteers, artists, businesses, and runners who will make this inaugural 5-1-8 Day a success.” 

 

Kurtis Breed, Operations Manager at The City Beer Hall, said: 

“When the BID first started brainstorming Melba Madness, we knew it had the potential to be something special for our community, and seeing it come to life is incredibly exciting. At the City Beer Hall, we are thrilled to be part of this initiative and can’t wait to showcase a bite-sized portion of our house-made mozzarella triangles with melba to everyone who comes out, and we’re excited for everyone to try it! We’ll also be offering our signature Blu pizza with melba sauce that day. Supporting local businesses is the heartbeat of our city, and events like this bring us together. We’re looking forward to an amazing day of great food, energy, and community spirit!" 

Erin Harkes, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Metroland Now, said: 

"Metroland is thrilled to support another outstanding event in Downtown Albany and is truly honored to help curate the live music experience. Live music is an essential part of these gatherings, and we are passionate about bringing talented artists to these vibrant events."

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