Local businesses gear up for State Quadricentennial
Rebekah Binger
June 23, 2008

Just 400 years ago, what is now the bustling and populated Hudson River Valley, packed with homes and industry, was considered inhospitable, filled with wild animals, poisonous snakes, mountains and thick forests too dense to traverse.

When Henry Hudson and his crew on the Half Moon stumbled upon the river while searching for a quick passage to China, they had no idea that it would become one of the most important regions in the world.

Local businesses are coming together to celebrate the anniversary of Hudson’s 1609 voyage, along with the voyages of Samuel de Champlain and Robert Fulton. Many of these businesses are a part of the Rockland Business Association’s Hospitality/Tourism Alliance, which has held meetings to discuss celebration plans.

With Hudson’s sailing vessel the Half Moon serving as the symbol of the anniversary festivities, it is fitting that one of the first events will feature a large scale ice sculpture of the ship.

The 3rd Annual Knickerbocker Ice Festival, produced by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, will be held on the weekend of January 24th and 25th, 2009 at Rockland Lake State Park. There, an onsite ice sculptor will create the 15 to 20 foot Half Moon as well as incase regional historic photos in ice. “The best thing about it is for the public to appreciate their parks in a season they would not normally,” said Timothy Englert, Development Specialist for the PIPC.

In more recent history, the Tappan Zee Bridge has proved to be one of the most transforming developments in the Hudson Valley since the river’s discovery. Accordingly, the Historical Society of Rockland County will, in May 2009, launch a countywide exhibition showcasing how the TZB changed Rockland from a rural community of 29,000 to the nearly 300,000 that live here now. The exhibit will be in libraries and other locations throughout Rockland.

Towns along the Hudson River will play an integral role in the commemoration, as many of them will hold special celebratory events. The Rockland County Department of Tourism is in the process of creating a major river event for the weekend of June 6th and 7th, 2009. “All members of regional yacht and boat clubs would come out on the river on those dates and there will be associated land events,” Heather Duke, Director of Tourism and Chair of the Quadricentennial Steering Committee for Rockland County, said.

Another River event will be Hudson Ferry-Go-Round scheduled for July 2009. For about $5, people will be able to ride the ferry all day and it will bring them to stops at towns along the river that are holding corresponding festivities, such as Street Fairs, art exhibitions and various food markets.

“I believe the Hudson River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, an American Heritage River, yet it is one of the most underutilized rivers,” said Andy Maniglia, Vice President of Ginsburg Development Corporation, the major sponsor of the Ferry-Go-Round together with several contributing partners and Metro North Railroad.

The ferry will make stops at river towns including Haverstraw, Ossining, Peekskill, Sleepy Hollow and others to be announced.

For another dose of history, head to the Stony Point Battle Field State Historic Site on October 3, 2009, where its 1908 memorial arch to the fallen soldiers of Stony Point will be rededicated as a part of the Quadricentennial celebration.

Many other events are being planned to celebrate the Quadricentennial. For updates and information on these Rockland County events, visit www.rockland.org, and look under “events.”

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