Frigid First Night in Saratoga

The First Night theme was "Fire and Ice," but the headline was the ice. And snow. And wind.

Thousands of revelers braved the elements to welcome 2009 Saratoga-style, with hot food, brilliant fireworks, and more than 30 venues, from ballet and jazz to comedy and improv.

"This is the place to be in the great northeast," said Maureen Duda, the YMCA's First Night coordinator.

Duda dismissed the cold weather, saying upstate New Yorkers are a "hardy lot." The bundled masses agreed.

"I've got about four layers on," street vendor Anne Morphet said while pouring a kettle full of piping hot chowder. "We're getting all riled up. We've got to, to keep warm."

Dee Dee Minikes was visiting from Washington D.C. The First Night first-nighter was visibly impressed by the Spa City atmosphere.

"I'd love to see something like this happen in our town," she said. "I love it here, and I plan to come back."

Minikes added, "Maybe we'll become a Times Square up here, too."

Duda, the First Night coordinator, said Saratoga's celebration is actually the largest in New York outside of Manhattan.

"You can expect the time of your life," she said.

Final attendance numbers and sales totals were not available Wednesday night.