New York's 400th - River Day 2009 the Hudson River Day Flotilla

• by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ALBANY, NY (06/03/2009)(readMedia)-- --

WHAT:

In 1609, Henry Hudson and his ship, the Half Moon, with a crew of Dutch and English sailors, ventured up the Hudson River from New York Harbor to present day Albany, the first European exploration of the river that now bears his name.

In celebration of this historic event, Governor David A. Paterson and the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Office will launch the "River Day" celebrations.

The night includes a ceremonial blessing of the fleet of historic and modern vessels participating in River Day, the awarding of the "Medal of Discovery," and other festivities at Battery Park.

WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2009

6 p.m.: Ships assemble in front of Liberty Island in the harbor against the Manhattan skyline.

6:30 p.m.: Blessing of the fleet with Governor Paterson and special guests in Battery Park (between the Statue of Liberty Ferry Landing and Battery Gardens Restaurant - ramp 3 and 4).

WHO:

Governor David A. Paterson, to be joined by:

Consul General of the Netherlands Hugo Gajus Scheltema; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis; Chair of the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission Joan Davidson; USCG Captain Robert R. O'Brien; The Reverend Canon Thomas P. Miller of The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine; Michael Pace (Xingweleno), former Assistant Chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis andFDNY Chaplain; Donna Henes, Urban Shaman and "Unofficial Commissioner of Public Spirit of New York City"; and Poet David Gonzalez.

Participating boats and ships include:

The Onrust, a 17th century replica of the first ship built in New York. ·

The Half Moon, a replica of Hudson's ship.·

Historic Tall Ships including the Sloop Clearwater and Schooner Mystic Whaler plus the Woody Guthrie, a wooden replica of an 18th-19th century Hudson River Ferry Sloop; the 1890's-style pilot Schooner Adirondack; the Manhattan, an open boat originally built as a life boat to explore the canals of Amsterdam; and the Shearwater, a classic Maine Schooner.· Other participating boats include: The Circle Line; NYC Water Taxi; SeaTow; Launch 5; Coast Guard, the Discover Boating Cruiser and more.· Escort from the sky - historic bi-planes will escort the flotilla from the Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

RIVER DAY:

The full River Day Celebration begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the Statue of Liberty. The flotilla will spend eight days moving north on the Hudson, with stops scheduled at participating yacht clubs and marinas, cities and communities with special events and educational programs planned at each port. The tentative schedule is available at http://www.exploreny400.com/riverday.aspx

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