	E-MAIL THIS
	PRINT THIS
	MOST POPULAR

June 6th, 2009

Hudson River Day Flotilla

Governor David A. Paterson tonight will kick-off the Hudson River Day Flotilla at a “blessing of the fleet” ceremony in New York Harbor. The Great River Day Flotilla is an eight-day journey up the Hudson River featuring historic and modern boats, and is a key part of New York State’s Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial commemorative events. Tonight’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.

“The 1609 voyage of Henry Hudson opened a route that became America’s lifeblood and brought about a flood of art, culture and commerce that changed the world,” said Governor Paterson. “This 400th anniversary is a proud moment in New York State’s history. The River Day Flotilla celebrates this anniversary and serves as a floating museum during the journey, providing historical and educational programs at many stops along the way.”

“The anniversary of the Hudson River is a celebration of New York’s rich history of discovery and innovation,” said First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, the honorary chair of the Quadricentennial celebration. “The Hudson River has been a cornerstone of New York’s economy, and is as much a piece of our future as it is our history. I am proud that we are utilizing the occasion to focus attention on the most important legacy of all -- environmental and economic sustainability starting with the next 100 years.”

Governor Paterson also announced the awarding of the Quadricentennial Hudson River Medal of Discovery to legendary folksinger Pete Seeger for his lifetime of stewardship of the Hudson. Seeger was among the founders of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc., known for its sailing vessel, the sloop Clearwater – which is among the historic ships in the flotilla – and for its annual music and environmental festival, the Great Hudson River Revival. Seeger, who turned 90 earlier this year, has been a long-time resident of Dutchess County.

“Through his music and activism, Pete Seeger has become of one the most recognized champions of the Hudson River of the last century,” said Governor Paterson. “In this Quadricentennial year, it’s fitting to present Pete with this sign of our appreciation for his role in reviving one of America’s most famous and most important waterways.”

HFCQ Commission Chair Joan Kaplan Davidson said: “The Commission marvels at -- and salutes! -- all the resourceful river people who have brought us this marvelous day.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “It was here, 400 years ago and a full decade before the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts, that Henry Hudson sailed through this passage and began a story of discovery, unimaginable challenges and triumphs. Today, we kick off a celebration that reminds us that the Hudson River remains New York’s lifeblood. The River Day Flotilla will bring together all of the harbor and river communities in celebration of the Hudson, its rich history, and the central role that it continues to play in our lives.”

Consul General of the Netherlands Hugo Gajus Scheltema said: “For the Dutch, River Day is a wonderful moment in this year’s celebrations, with the participation of the recently rebuilt 17th century yacht ‘Onrust’ as well as the ‘Half Moon’ replica, which will retrace Henry Hudson’s voyage to Albany together with many other sailing ships. We are appreciative of what New York City and State are contributing to this year in which we celebrate, through the anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage, 400 years of friendship between the Netherlands and the United States.”

This year, New York honors the 400th anniversaries of the voyage of Captain Henry Hudson, who led (for the Dutch) the first European expedition to sail up the river that now bears his name, as well as the voyage of Samuel de Champlain, the first to discover the namesake lake. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s maiden steamboat journey up the Hudson River. Communities from New York to the Canadian border are preparing events and projects to highlight New York’s rich history of exploration and discovery.

The Great River Day Flotilla is one of the signature events of the commemoration. The historic “flagships” are the Clearwater, the Half Moon (a replica of Henry Hudson’s 1609 vessel), the OnRust (a replica of a 17th Century Dutch yacht), the sloop Woody Guthrie, the Mystic Whaler, the Governor Cleveland (tugboat) and the John J. Harvey (fire boat). Along the way, they will be joined by a U.S. Coast Guard escort, an antique airplane escort and numerous modern day boats.

The voyage sets sail at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 6, from the Statue of Liberty. The first day will conclude in the Tarrytown/Nyack area of the river, and will feature a cannon welcome and fireworks. The flotilla will move upriver each day, culminating in Albany on Saturday, June 13. The ships will depart tomorrow morning, and the flotilla can be viewed from Battery Park at 9 a.m.

The full schedule follows:
JUNE 6 (Saturday)-early morning with 7:15am pick-up of dignitaries and press at various overnight docking locations and Circle Line at 42nd Street.
9am start of flotilla at Statue of Liberty joined by some of our River Day sponsors: Circle Line, Water Taxi, Classic Harbor Line, SeaTow, Discover Boating, North Cove Yacht Club, NYS Canal Corporation and River Day Safety Vessel-Launch Five.
Parade by Harlem, Cloisters, Yonkers, and Hudson River Museum.

Arrival in Tarrytown and Nyack area around 5-6pm for cannon welcome and ringing of church bells, festivities and fireworks. Fireworks Program – Adjacent to Kingsland Point Park, Sleepy Hollow, 9 pm. For info: www.westchestertourism.com and www.rockland.org

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome antique plane fly-overs (www.oldrhinebeck.org). Captain and the crew of the Half Moon for special program at Cornetta's Seafood Restaurant and Marina in Piermont. Overnight for flagships-Onrust and Woody at Nyack Boat Club, all others in vicinity of Tarrytown and Piermont Pier.

JUNE 7 (Sunday)-departure at 8am.
Arrival in Haverstraw, Croton and Ossining by 11am for midday celebration, leaving Haverstraw by 2pm sharp.

Parade by Stony Point, Peekskill, and other communities.

Parade by West Point to 16 cannon salute.

Arrival and cannon welcome in Newburgh/Beacon around 6pm.

Newburgh hosting music, Dutch singers and festivities (http://cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/HFC/NewburghBay.htm).

Long Dock Beacon-Scenic Hudson hosting Welcome the Fleet Festival (www.scenichudson.org) with music and cuisine. Beacon Sloop Club and City of Beacon hosting music and festivities.
Overnight for flagships-Clearwater, Mystic, and Woody in Beacon; Half Moon, Onrust, and Cleveland in Newburgh.

JUNE 8 (Monday)-flagships stay in Beacon/Newburgh for educational programs all day.

Jet fly-overs, West Point Band and other festivities.

JUNE 9 (Tuesday)-flagships stay in Beacon/Newburgh for educational programs all day.
Depart Beacon/Newburgh at 4 pm.
Arrival and cannon welcome (6pm) in Poughkeepsie area (www.Dutchess400.com) for festivities including ribbon cutting, music, Quadricentennial Show-Cake created by the Culinary Institute of America, and Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome antique plane fly-overs.
Overnight for flagships-Poughkeepsie area, Rogers Point, and boat clubs.

JUNE 10 (Wednesday)-flagships remain in Poughkeepsie all day for educational activities.
Depart Poughkeepsie at 4pm sharp.

Parade by Hyde Park State Historic Sites.
Arrival and cannon welcome (6:30pm) in Kingston for celebration at the Hudson River Maritime Museum (www.hrmm.org), and Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome antique plane fly-overs.

Overnight for ships at the Hudson River Maritime Museum and Historic Waterfront Museum docks.

JUNE 11 (Thursday)-remain in Kingston for school groups from 8 to 11am.
Parade by Saugerties Light House (around noon) for school groups.

Parade by Clermont State Historic Site.
Arrival and cannon welcome in Catskill/Hudson/Athens by 6pm with Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome antique plane fly-overs. Catskill hosting celebration, barbeque and reception. Hudson hosting river-ribbon-cutting, music, and festivities. Athens hosting riverfront park party. Hudson-Athens Lighthouse hosting party (www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org).

Hudson Harbor Cruise featuring narrated dinner cruise (call 518-828-7884).
Overnight for flagships-Half Moon in Catskill, Clearwater in Hudson, and Onrust in Athens.

JUNE 12 (Friday)-remain in Catskill/Hudson/Athens area for school groups until noon.
Arrival and cannon welcome in Castleton at 4 pm for special final night dinner, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome antique plane fly-overs and fireworks sponsored by Coeymans Marine Terminal.
Overnight for flagships-Clearwater, Launch 5 and Naval Militia at Castleton Boat Club, Half Moon, Harvey, and Cleveland, at Coeymans Marine Terminal/Brick Yard. Onrust will visit both locations.

JUNE 13 (Saturday)-depart Castleton at 11am. Parade by Schodack Park (www.schodack.org/quadri/HFCindex.htm) and Town of Bethlehem.
Arrival at 12:30 for Final Cannon Welcome and day-long celebrations including Yankee Doodle Band at the Albany Yacht Club, Crailo State Historic Site (http://nysparks.state.ny.us/sites/info.asp?siteID=7) sponsored Dutch exhibits and cuisine, Blessing of the Fleet at Albany Yacht Club with local clergy including Dutch Reform minister and Native American representative. Keith Pray Big Band will perform, BBQ style foods, and tours of the Clearwater Sloop all at the Riverfront Park in Rensselaer. The Half Moon will be in Albany, and Onrust in Rensselaer.