POUGHKEEPSIE—Family-friendly activities and homegrown talent will be featured during the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park’s one-year anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2.
The public is invited to attend the day-long anniversary celebration, which will feature musicians, face-painting, scavenger hunts, chalk art, storytelling, and other performers at various locations along the 1.25-mile-long park. Other attractions will include alternative energy displays and an oral history archiving project entitled “Stories of the Walkway” being gathered by the Children’s Media Project. All activities will be free or will cost $1.00. The Walkway will be open until 9 p.m. encouraging the public to stroll the bridge under the stars and enjoy musical entertainment provided by local performers. (All proceeds will benefit the Walkway.)
During the day’s full slate of events, Walkway officials will also recognize public and private donors who contributed $10,000 or more to the $38 million “Build a Bridge” capital campaign that transformed the former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the Walkway Over the Hudson—the world’s longest elevated pedestrian park. The land preservation and environmental organization Scenic Hudson will receive special recognition when officials unveil the Scenic Hudson Gate at the Walkway’s western entrance, commemorating the nonprofit organization’s $1 million donation to the capital campaign.
“Come join us on the Walkway to celebrate the one year anniversary! Participate in ‘Chalkway on the Walkway’, blow colorful bubbles, join in the scavenger hunt or just take a lovely nighttime stroll while listening to music. We are so pleased that our sponsors and contributors have made possible a family friendly and affordable celebration,” said Walkway Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart. “We will also unveil the Scenic Hudson Gate and recognize the generosity and vision of 28 individuals, foundations, companies, and government agencies that contributed the lion’s share of the funding needed to make the Walkway a reality.”
Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson, said: “Congratulations are due all who participated in the Walkway success story. In particular, strong leadership and funding were provided by the Dyson Foundation, New York State, and state and federal legislators. Scenic Hudson is proud to be part of Walkway as an extension of the parks we create up and down the Hudson River. The Walkway, like Scenic Hudson’s collaborative land-preservation campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most, creates an enduring legacy for the Quadricentennial and helps boost the region’s economy. We’re also gratified to have been part of the Walkway Loop Trail, which enables walkers, runners and cyclists to explore the 30 miles of connected trails that showcase the river’s and valley’s beauty and history.”
Musical entertainment will be provided by several notable Hudson Valley groups including the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association, folk group Rosemary Rye, Clearwater’s Power of Song, Melissa Orquist and others. Volunteer support for the event is being provided by Walkway Volunteers Children’s Media Project, Girls Scout s- Heart of the Hudson Council, Dutchess County Arts Council, Mill Street Loft and the Kiwanis club.
