Albany's Search for 400 Great Discoveries

ALBANY, NY (03/10/2009)(readMedia)-- This year is the City of Albany's Quadricentennial honoring the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the Hudson River. To highlight this monumental year in our City's history, Mayor Jerry Jennings and the City of Albany, along with the Downtown Albany, Central and Lark Street Business Improvement Districts (BID) are joining together to host a city wide contest in search of 400 Great Discoveries in Albany.

"With 400 years of history under our belts, visitors coming from far and wide to New York's Capital City have many options of great treasures to explore here in the City of Albany," stated Mayor Jerry Jennings. Pamela Tobin, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID added, "There is so much worth discovering, you'll be amazed at what you find. Maiden Lane Park for a game of chess, the architectural wonder that boasts the Half Moon weathervane or a favorite Albany restaurant are just a few things that could be entered in the contest."

Participants will be able to submit their own favorite "discovery" in the categories of Event, Place, Restaurant, Recreation or Activity, Arts and Culture, Architecture or History. Entries can be made online at www.DiscoverAlbany400.com or by obtaining an entry form from any of the three sponsoring BIDs - entry deadline is April 1st. Following that deadline, the public will be invited to cast a vote for their favorite "great discoveries" among the categories. Prize winners will be drawn at random from those whose entries were selected for the list of 400 Great Discoveries in Albany. Prizes include a $400 cash prize, dinner for a family of four at DP-An American Brasserie, family 4-pack tickets to a show at the Times Union Center, and more.

"We hope this contest will invoke pride in our Capital City by having the community contemplate new and undiscovered great things to see and do here in their hometown and to engage residents in a Quadricentennial activity," stated Anthony Capece, Executive Director of the Central Avenue BID. Michael Weidrich, Executive Director of the Lark Street BID, explained, "With a list of 400 Great Discoveries in Albany developed by the community, we are confident that the result will draw great enthusiasm by residents, visitors and adventure-seekers for our city which is a win for everyone."

For more information, visit any of the three participating BID websites - downtownalbany.org, centralbid.com, larkstreet.org - or visit their respective offices in Albany at 522 Broadway, 176 Central Avenue, and 245 Lark Street.

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The Downtown Albany BID, Lark Street BID and Central Avenue BID are private, not-for profit 501 (c) (3) organizations that work to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany, Lark Street and Central Avenue and to improve the quality of life and overall image of these districts for all those who work in, live in and visit them. For information about the Downtown Albany BID, call 518-465-2143 or visit www.downtownalbany.org. For Information about the Lark Street BID, call 518-434-3861 or visit www.larkstreet.org. For information about the Central BID, call 518-462-4300 or visit www.centralbid.com.