Walkway over the Hudson Grand Opening Ceremony

*** Please Note: Due to space constraints a pass from Walkway Over the Hudson is required for parking and entry. General public access will start at 3:00 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 3.***

Members of the press are invited to cover the historic Grand Opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Opening ceremonies will commence at 11:00 a.m. at the Walkway's western entrance in the Town of Lloyd.

Those members of the media interested in attending the Oct. 3 event will need to obtain a parking assignment and a wristband that will allow access onto the site. In order to receive a packet containing this information please send an e-mail request to Steve Densmore 10 days prior to the event at sdensmore@dyson.org or call 845-234-8713 for more information. Please include the name(s) of those requiring access and a U.S. Mail address for us to send you your parking assignment and wristband. You must have a pass in order to access the site. A shuttle bus will bring reporters, photographers, and camera people to the site.

This invitation-only event will feature remarks by New York State Governor David Paterson; Honorary Quadricentennial Chairwoman First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson; New York State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Carol Ash; U.S. Senator Charles Schumer; Dyson Foundation President, Robert Dyson, and other dignitaries. This event will end at approximately 12:00 Noon and will be followed by the ceremonial opening of the eastern and western gates of the new Walkway, followed by a "knot tying ceremony" at the center of the bridge and the Walking on Air Parade, featuring contingents representing each of the 54 municipalities in Dutchess and Ulster counties.

Please note in all advance coverage: the public access will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday. After the bridge opens to the public, there will be shuttle bus access available from various public parking areas on both the east and west side of the bridge.

There will be a Grand Illumination Ceremony on Friday evening, October 2, 2009 that will be viewable from both shores of the Hudson River and the public can participate in various festivals and activities in the Town of Lloyd and the City of Poughkeepsie prior to the opening of the park at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Please visit www.walkway.org for details on parking, activities, schedule and other pertinent information.