It’s been four centuries since this Dutch explorer discovered the Hudson River. Check out the events slated for the year-long celebrations throughout New York State.
The opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson, which will in essence turn the bridge into a park and trailway will include a “Grand Illumination” with the release of hot-air lanterns and fireworks, followed by the official opening ceremony the next day, with bands, a parade, jet-ski ballet, a fly-over by the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome and more. Oct. 2 to 4, 2009. Mid-Hudson Quad point between the towns of Poughkeepsie and Highland. Tel. 845-454-9649. www.walkway.org
The Namesake Celebration in the city of Hudson (the only city along the river to bear Henry Hudson's name), is a celebration of the famous Dutch explorer's historic journey with a parade, tours of a Half Moon replica, music and fireworks in Waterfront Park. July 25 to 26, 2009. Tel. 518-828-3378 or e-mail thruston@mhonline.ne
The Peekskill Celebration, usually held the first weekend of August, will move to September as it joins forces with the city’s Hudson River Quadricentennial to become the Peekskill Quadricentennial Celebration 2009. The week-long, family-friendly event will include a concert, the illumination of historic downtown buildings, dragon boat races, fireworks and tours of the Half Moon to see what life was life aboard the ship during the 1609 voyage up the Hudson River. Sept. 7 to 13, 2009. Charles Point Park. Tel. 914-736-2000. www.peekskillcelebration.com
The Burning of Kingston in Ulster County reenacts the city’s destruction at the hands of the British who burned Kingston down in October 1775 during the Revolutionary War. Anyone can participate in the reenactment, which starts on Kingston's shores and moves to the Stockade District where the main attack occurred. Oct. 16 to 18, 2009. Tel. 800-331-1518. www.ci.kingston.ny.us
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The northernmost lighthouse on the Hudson River is the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse in Athens. There are scheduled tours the second Saturday of each month from July to October from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving visitors a peek into the life of the Brunner family, the last family to live at the lighthouse. Tel. 518-828-5294 or www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org
Tours of the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse in Kingland Point Park, on the National Register of Historic Places, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on the following select Sundays: April 5 and 19; May 3, 17 and 31; June 14 and 28; July 12 and 26; and Aug. 9 and 23. Tel. 914-631-1440.
Several hotels in Westchester County are offering anniversary discounts throughout 2009. Sample rates: Westchester Marriott (Tarrytown), $159 to $189 per night; Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center, $169 per night, select weekends; Peekskill Inn, 10 percent discount, with rates starting at $117 per night; Hilton Rye Town, 10 percent discount, (code quad09); The Esplanade White Plains, $99.99 for a studio room (code WPQR). See more at tourism.westchestergov.com.
Comments
1 Comments on this article | read all commentsby Pappy on August 14, 2009
Thank you! This was very helpful. This little well written piece has me wanting to do this trip! And maybe throw in Cooperstown.