SARATOGA, N.Y. (WNYT) – Opening Day celebrations in Saratoga moved to Broadway Thursday night as hundreds of people packed the streets.

From live music to the restaurants to the ice cream stores everything was packed with people.

“The race was fabulous. But then just this whole ambiance here, it’s so exciting. Lots of energy. Good energy,” said one tourist.

Mary Rose Hitt lives in Saratoga each summer. She rides horses at the track and said, “Racing brings everyone together and it’s such a everyone in this town lives for racing. Tonight’s opening night. Like you can see over there. Like everyone’s out.”

Schomari White is a chocolate chef at a local sweet shop on Broadway. He said they wait for this day all year.

“I don’t think like the summer really starts until track season hits,” White said. “Because now every single day we need all hands on deck.”

With opening day also comes fashion and that could be found on Broadway Thursday too. Marlyin Mincer makes horse racing hats from scratch and she “Today has been crazy busy.”

“We started at 9 a.m. and have been here ever since. And all day long and meeting so many great people. People are coming into town from all over the world,” said Mincer.

Locals in Saratoga expect the crowds to continue throughout the rest of the summer and especially through opening weekend.