Festivals in New York City and Kingston anchor dozens of opportunities to experience and learn about the Hudson River on July 20 and 21

Hudson Valley, N.Y. – July 10, 2013 – The fifth annual Hudson River Days is expanding in 2013 with events on both Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, from New York City to the Capital Region.

Hudson River Days celebrates the progress made in revitalizing the Hudson River and its watershed with a focus on clean water, habitat, river access, climate change and scenery. Events include festivals, outdoor expos, kayaking and sailing opportunities, scavenger hunts, fishing and fish counting, and educational talks.

Hudson River Days is organized in 2013 by Clearwater, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and its Hudson River Estuary Program, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, the Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association, the Hudson River Maritime Museum, Hudson Valley Marine Trades Association, Hudson Valley Tourism, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Riverkeeper.

Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay said: “Through the hard work of a generation of advocates, today we can enjoy the Hudson River as never before. Hudson River Days is an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy its splendor, and learn more about the work ahead to restore our fish, make the river consistently safe for swimming, and ensure public access.”

“Over the Hudson River Days weekend, communities of the Hudson Valley will participate in many great, family-friendly events that put them in touch with the Hudson River, its ecology, beauty and history,” said Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater Executive Director. “Hudson River Days also provides opportunities to experience the river up close, and remember our successes and ongoing challenges on the journey towards creating a swimmable, fishable, drinkable river.”

“New York’s Hudson River Estuary program works to help people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River and its Valley,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.  “The events being held during Hudson River Days will showcase the progress we have made in achieving clean water, restoring fisheries, and promoting river access for water recreation.  It is a perfect time for families to rediscover and enjoy the historic Hudson River and all it offers.”

  • Highlights of the celebration include:City of Water Day, on Saturday, July 20, at Governor’s Island, Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., and other locations in and around New York City. The annual event features on-the-water activities, live music, children’s activities, free boat tours, food and more.
  • Hudson River Days Festival, on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, N.Y. The annual festival features visiting vessels, including deck tours on the sloop Clearwater and 18th century shipboard cooking demonstrations; discounted admission to the museum; a reading and book signing with Hudson Talbott, author and illustrator of River of Dreams—The Story of the Hudson River; a model boat building workshop and racing regatta; Children’s “Clothesline” Art Competition and Exhibition; maritime pennant-making workshop with Kingston artist Todd Samara; music and more.
  • Hudson Rising, on Saturday, July 20, at Gallo Waterfront Park and Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY.  The 2013 River Tour will make its second of four planned stops to Hudson River Valley cities, featuring the Half Moon, outdoors adventure activities and expo for adults and children, an Uptown historical scavenger hunt, trolley rides and more. At 7 p.m., Keegan’s Ale House hosts a screening of the Hudson Rising trailer, a talk by the Director. Free shuttle bus from Gallo Park.
  • 2nd Annual Great Hudson Estuary Fish Count, on Saturday, July 20, with the chance for public participation in catching and reporting some of the 200-plus species of fish found in the Hudson, in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Yonkers, Piermont, Sleepy Hollow, Cold Spring, New Windsor, Staatsburg, Kingston and Athens.
  • Riverkeeper’s Open River Series, featuring free and discounted kayaking and sailing tours and rentals on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, in New York City, Ossining, Croton-on-Hudson, Cornwall-on-Hudson, Beacon, Wappinger, Kingston, Saugerties and Athens, in partnership with numerous businesses and clubs.
  • Night by the Fall Kill @ The Underwear Factory, Saturday, July 20, from 6-9 p.m. at 517 Main Street in Poughkeepsie. Clearwater, Hudson River Housing, and partners will host a free community event and evening of celebration with music, food, demonstrations, performances and fun on the banks of the Fall Kill as a wrap up for Hudson River Days and Creek Week events taking place in Poughkeepsie. Includes activities for all ages and live music by local Hip Hop group, Baam Bada.

A diverse set of clubs, organizations and agencies have organized events throughout the region, in addition to these highlighted events. For full details, visit hudsonriverdaysny.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julia Church, Clearwater, 845-265-8080 x7112, julia@clearwater.org
Tina Posterli, Riverkeeper, 914-478-4501 x239, tposterli@riverkeeper.org
Lana Chassman, Hudson River Maritime Museum, 845.338.0071 ext. 15, lchassman@hrmm.org
Lori Severino, Department of Environment Conservation, 518-402-8000