Hudson River Days 2013

When:

July 20, 2013 to July 21, 2013

The 5th annual Hudson River Days celebration is set for July 20 and 21, 2013.

The mission of Hudson River Days is to bring public attention to the river’s scenery, ecology and recreational uses, as well as those people and organizations that promote environmental stewardship and restoration, public access and recreation.

In addition to festivals in New York City and Kingston, where Riverkeeper will have a presence, Riverkeeper has organized an “Open River Series” with businesses and clubs, to provide the public with a number of free or discounted river-based recreational and educational events. (A full list of Hudson River Days events, can be found at hudsonriverdaysny.org.)

HUDSON RIVER DAYS ANCHOR EVENTS

• Hudson River Days Festival and Hudson Rising, Saturday, July 20, at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, featuring ships (including the Sloop Clearwater and the Pennsy #399), the “Hudson Valley Farm Feast,” an Adventure Village, live music, tours, interactive activities for children, discount museum admission, the “Clothesline Art Show,” and more. Find Riverkeeper’s table at the festival, and meet Capt. John Lipscomb at the Riverkeeper patrol boat, at the Hudson River Maritime Museum docks (time of arrival tentatively set for about 3 p.m. Saturday). For details, visit hrmm.org or hudsonrising.com or call the museum at 845-338-0071.
• City of Water Day, Saturday, July 20. Look for Riverkeeper on Governor’s Island and at Harlem River Park, as part of the festivities that include boat tours, on-water activities, family and children activities, music, food and more. (Events are also taking place at at Liberty State Park in New Jersey and other locations around the region.) For details, visit cityofwaterday.org, or contact the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance at 212-935-9831 or [email protected].

RIVERKEEPER’S OPEN RIVER SERIES

• Free Sails Out of Ossining from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 20, with the Ossining Community Sailing Club. RSVP to Riverkeeper at [email protected] to be added to the wait list for this fully booked outing.
• Free Sails Out of Croton-on-Hudson at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, with Ferry Sloops. Be a guest on the Whimbrel, the sloop-rigged Catboat, departing from the guest dock at the Croton Yacht Club. First come, first served; sign up starting at 9:30 a.m. for any sail at the Ferry Sloops tent. Please park on the street or in the Croton Landing parking lot, not in the Croton Yacht Club. For more information, visit ferrysloops.org.
• Open House and Sailing Races Sunday, July 21, at Chelsea Yacht Club, Town of Wappinger (Dutchess County). The Open House is 12-5 p.m., and the racing starts at 1:30 p.m. The club will open its grounds to the public, and there will be limited opportunities for the public to join club members aboard their sail boats, and to view the races from the club’s launch. For more directions to the club, use this map, or visit chelseayacht.org.
• Community Ceremony to Honor the Water from 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 20, with Shaman Mikki at Croton Point Park (parking fee). Join shamanic healer and ordained minister, Mikki Davis, to share the healing power of the Hudson and hold a vision for the restoration of all our waters. Optional donations benefit Riverkeeper. Details at shammikki.com; register via [email protected] or 917-620-0444.
• Open House and Kayaking in Inwood with the Inwood Canoe Club on Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. A $4 fee covers the club’s insurance costs. This program is available every Sunday throughout the summer. For details, visit inwoodcanoeclub.com, call 212-810-9597 or e-mail [email protected].
• 25% Off Weekend Sailing Courses in NYC with Hudson River Community Sailing*, at Pier 66 Boathouse inside Hudson River Park at West 26th Street. Hudson River Community Sailing is offering 25% off to the public on Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22, for its weekend sailing courses, including Introduction to Sailing, Mixed Level Sailing, Taste of Sailing, Sunset Sails, as well as a Breakfast Sail and Family Sail. To take advantage of the discount, register online and use the coupon code RIVERKEEPER25. Questions? call 212-924-1920.
• Half Priced Kayak Rentals, Guided Tours, Lessons, and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Programs with Hudson River Recreation* at various Westchester County locations. Call 914-682-5135 for information.
• Buy One, Get One Free Bannerman Island Kayak Tour at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, with Storm King Adventure Tours* in Cornwall-on-Hudson. Ticket price is $60 (second ticket is free). Ask for the “Hudson River Days” discount. Call 845-534-7800 to reserve your spot.
• 50% Off Denning’s Point Kayak Tour at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 21. (Meet at 9:30 a.m.) with Mountain Tops Outdoors. Discounted price is $25. Ask for the “Hudson River Days” discount. Call 845-831-1997 to reserve your spot.
• 50% Off Lower Esopus Creek and Hudson River Guided Kayak Tour at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20. See the Saugerties Lighthouse and the Hudson with I Paddle New York*. Discounted price is $25. Space limited. Reservations required. Call 845-532-7797.
• Half Priced Kayak Rentals from Kenco*, 1000 Hurley Mountain Road, Kingston. Call 845-340-0552 for information.
• Buy One, Get One Free Kayak Rentals from PaddleHead Boards, 13 North Water Street, Athens. Ask for the Hudson River Days discount. Questions? Call 518-755-4052 or email [email protected].
• Greenhouse Gives Back Fundraiser for Riverkeeper. Greenhouse, New York’s “first eco-friendly nightclub,” will donate all proceeds from the door to Riverkeeper when doors open around midnight on Saturday, July 20, in honor of Hudson River Days. The LEED-certified space at 150 Varick Street in SoHo, includes a spectacular transparent ceiling fixture, comprised of over 5,000 individually hung crystals, which is designed to emulate a rolling landscape. The bars are clear recycled glass panoramic designs, which displays lush natural scenes. For Hudson River Days, Riverkeeper images will be projected for display, and materials will be available for patrons to review.

ADVOCACY ON SEWAGE POLLUTION RIGHT TO KNOW LAW
Riverkeeper is also mobilizing volunteers on Hudson River Days to talk to the public about water quality in the Hudson River, and to ask for quick and thorough implementation of the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law.

Check back to learn about additional Hudson River Days events. If you are part of a business or organization with ties to the Hudson River, and would like to participate in the “Open River Series,” contact Dan Shapley at [email protected] or 914-478-4501 x226.

The Hudson River Days 2013 Steering Committee includes Clearwater, the NYSDEC through the Hudson River Estuary Program, Hudson Valley Tourism, the Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association, Hudson Rising, Hudson Valley Marine Trades Association, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Riverkeeper.

*Membership Rewards Partners offer discounts every day to Riverkeeper members who present their membership cards. Membership cards and benefits are available to all those who donate $40 or more annually. Hudson River Days discounts supersede membership rewards discounts.