Get on the Half Moon

Here is more info from Dutchess Tourism about a Quadricentennial event in Poughkeepsie over Memorial Day weekend that we first told you about last week.

Tour the HALF MOON ship in Poughkeepsie on Memorial Day weekend

Get ready to go way back in time, as the Half Moon sails into Dutchess County and docks at Waryas Park on Main Street from Saturday to Monday, May 23-25. No, not the Dutch East India Company ship that sailed into New York Harbor in 1609, but the beautiful full-scale, operating replica of the Dutch ship. The Half Moon (Halve Maen in Dutch) now serves as a traveling museum, conducting programs about the history of the Dutch colony, New Netherland. Walk the plank and tour inside the wooden ship, where Hudson and his crew of 23 ate, slept and worked for an entire year. Learn about their remarkable journey and the Native Americans they met on our shores.

The Half Moon is open for guided tours in Poughkeepsie on Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend from 12 noon to 5 pm; the last tour is given at 4 pm. Admission is $7, and $5 for seniors and students ages 12-18; children under 12 are $1, and must be accompanied by an adult. You can buy your tickets in advance online through Pay Pal at www.dutchesstourism.com

Enjoy plenty of waterfront activities before and after your tour! On Sunday only, there's a free Early American family festival from noon to 4 pm also at Waryas Park. Dutchess County Tourism and City of Poughkeepsie host the Half Moon for this, the first time ever the ship docks in Poughkeepsie.

Sponsors are Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company, Marist College, Poughkeepsie Journal and the County of Dutchess. Don't miss this chance to discover the Hudson and 400 years of history for yourself!

The Quadricentennial celebration is a unique opportunity to explore our county’s wonderful assets, our rich history and scenic beauty. The Half Moon stays in Poughkeepsie to host school children and conduct group tours on Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit www.Dutchess400.com and www.halfmoon.mus.ny.us  for information.

Quad tulips in bloom in historic Kingston

You can see some beautiful photos of the tulips in bloom that were planted last fall by the Wiltwyck Chapter DAR in Kingston's historic district to honor the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. Go to this Facebook site and click on the Photos link.

Hudson-Fulton Stamp Cancellation

It's only going to take place for an hour, but on May 15, from noon to 1 p.m., you can pick up a collectible during the special Hudson-Fulton Stamp Cancellation at Poughkeepsie's main Post Office, at 55 Mansion Street.

Shown above is the image on the commemorative cover, designed by Franc Palaia and sponsored by Ahsan & Associates Patent, Trademark & Intellectual Property Law. The commemorative stamp is sponsored by Gellert & Klein General Practice Law Firm.

UPDATE May 13: Here's a story from the Poughkeepsie Journal with more information --

Free Hudson River map

Hudson Valley Tourism is offering a free Hudson River waterfront map that shows riverfront access, marinas, waterside restaurants, boat cruises, and more. It’s waterproof and would be useful for mapping out events surrounding the eight days of "River Day," which starts on June 6 when a flotilla of boats makes its way upriver in celebration of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. To receive the map, call 800-232-4782.

New trail network

Here's a message from Scenic Hudson about the Walkway Loop Trail, a 3.5-mile trail slated for completion in October that will link waterfront attractions on the eastern and western shores of the Hudson.

New Trail Network to Connect with Walkway, Local Attractions

When Walkway Over the Hudson State Park opens this October as a high point in the state’s Quadricentennial celebrations, visitors will be able to enhance their experience by having easy access to area parks, historic destinations, restaurants, marinas and other points of interest along the Poughkeepsie and Lloyd waterfronts. The vision is to provide Walkway visitors with an array of scenic and cultural destinations that will promote recreational and business activity along nearby shorelines and downtowns on both sides of the Hudson. A unique team featuring representatives from state and local government, a regional land preservation nonprofit, a local rail trail nonprofit and local residents is behind the project – called the Walkway Loop Trail.

Details of the Walkway Loop Trail
The Walkway Loop Trail will connect Walkway Over the Hudson and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge and traverse a number of existing local roads and trails for a total length of approximately 3.5 miles. The loop trail will open at the same time as Walkway Over the Hudson on Saturday, October 3, for the Quadricentennial celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s legendary voyage. Initially the trail on the Poughkeepsie side of the Hudson will travel along the riverfront and then inland a few blocks to reach access to the Walkway Over the Hudson. Next year plans call for an elevator that will provide direct access to the Walkway Over the Hudson from Poughkeepsie’s waterfront on existing and proposed pedestrian esplanades and trails.

To help visitors navigate the Walkway Loop Trail, the team creating it is designing four large panels that will show the entire route as well as connections to additional trails. More than 25 Walkway Loop Trail markers will be placed along the route, and copies of a loop trail map will be available.

Additional connections in Lloyd and Poughkeepsie
From the Walkway Loop Trail, people will be able to connect with additional trails that exist or are being created. These additional trails include in Highland the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, which is scheduled to open with Walkway Over the Hudson, and also in Poughkeepsie the Dutchess Rail Trail, which is planned to open in 2010. Parks that will be accessible from the Walkway Loop Trail on the Lloyd side of the Hudson include Franny Reese State Park, created by Scenic Hudson; the new Highland Landing Park, created by Scenic Hudson and the Town of Lloyd; and Johnson-Iorio Memorial Park. On the Poughkeepsie side the connections will include Kaal Rock Park, an important historic site; Waryas Park; and eventually Long View Park at Marist College. In addition Lloyd and Poughkeepsie are seeking to create connections that will encourage visitors to explore the historical, cultural and artistic treasures just inland from the Hudson. To date 50 destinations have been identified for this initiative.

Stakeholders come together to create Walkway Loop Trail
In October 2008 Scenic Hudson suggested the idea of the loop trail to City of Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik and other city officials. Shortly afterward Scenic Hudson convened a group of interested parties to explore the project. The group has been meeting monthly and includes representatives from the Town of Lloyd; City of Poughkeepsie; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; New York State Bridge Authority; Walkway Over the Hudson; Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association; Scenic Hudson; and several community leaders such as Nancy Cozean, former City of Poughkeepsie mayor and now coordinator for Poughkeepsie’s Quadricentennial celebrations, and Joseph Bertolozzi, composer of “Bridge Music,” percussion pieces he creates by “playing” the Mid-Hudson Bridge. His “Bridge Music” will be accessible at permanent listening stations on the bridge and the Lloyd and Poughkeepsie waterfronts. Design firms Pirtle Design and Bergmann Associates also have contributed to the project.

Walkway Loop Trail has economic advantages too
The loop trail and the links it provides to numerous waterfront and community attractions will help already potent tourism enterprises in Dutchess and Ulster counties. Already Dutchess County enjoys more than $447 million annually in tourism spending, and the figure is $388 million for Ulster County. The Walkway Loop Trail also will showcase the region’s unique beauty, nature and quality of life – all leading selling points for doing business in the valley, according to a report by Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.

Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, said, “The loop trail offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy waterfront offerings on both sides of the Hudson. Scenic Hudson wanted to get involved as an extension of the $1 million we contributed to Walkway Over the Hudson. We know how much walkers, runners and cyclists will appreciate opportunities to explore the 30 miles of connected trails that showcase the river’s and valley’s beauty and history. This project, like Scenic Hudson’s collaborative campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most, will create an enduring legacy for the Quadricentennial and help boost the region’s economy.”

James P. Sproat, chairman of the New York State Bridge Authority, said, “By providing a southern link in this loop trail, we’re pleased that the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge will play an important part in forwarding the recreational and economic development opportunities that Walkway Over the Hudson will bring to both shores of the river.”

John C. Tkazyik, mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie, said, “We are fortunate as a city to be linked across the Hudson by the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. The bridge will bring business to our community and will be great for stimulating our local economy by drawing visitors to the region from all across New York State and surrounding regions. We look forward to providing visitors with all that our city has to offer in business, art and our local heritage.”

Joseph Bertolozzi, composer of “Bridge Music,” said, “The trail loop is a brilliant gathering of existing threads into a new fabric. Connecting independent attractions like “Bridge Music,” Walkway Over the Hudson and the Rail Trail is a masterpiece of organization. I thank all who’ve been part of the effort.”

Nancy Cozean, chair of Quadricentennial events in Poughkeepsie, said, “The Walkway Loop Trail will offer visitors and residents a unique opportunity to see the great diversity of our Hudson Valley. From environmental and rural resources on the western side of the Hudson River to the urban neighborhoods and historical sites on the eastern shore, walkers can experience two different pictures of our Hudson Valley that are linked by our signature bridges. It’s a trail you won’t want to miss.”

About the Walkway Loop Trail
The Walkway Loop Trail when completed in October 2009 will be a 3.5-mile trail linking waterfront attractions on the eastern and western shores of the Hudson. The trail will cross the existing pedestrian walkway on the north side of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and Walkway Over the Hudson State Park, formerly the dilapidated Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge before being transformed into the world’s highest and longest pedestrian walkway. In Highland the trail will pass through Johnson-Iorio Memorial Park and link to two new parks – Franny Reese State Park and Highland Landing Park. Sites along the loop trail in Poughkeepsie will include Waryas Park, which features a boat launch and café, and the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, with its river-themed exhibits. The Walkway Loop Trail also will link with the Dutchess Rail Trail, due to be completed in 2010, and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, due to be completed for the October 2009 opening of Walkway Over the Hudson. When complete the Walkway Loop Trail and connecting trails will constitute nearly 30 miles of off-road fun for walkers, runners and bicyclists. More trail connections are anticipated.

Half Moon sails in!

Dutchess Tourism has announced a May 24-25 Memorial Day weekend Quadricentennial festival at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie that will feature a chance to tour the Half Moon, a replica of Henry Hudson's ship.

There are more details and a place to buy advance tickets at this Web site.

Hudson River Day flotilla events

The folks at the Quadricentennial-NY 400th Office have released the schedule for River Day, the June 5-13 flotilla from New York City to Albany that will be part of the Quad celebrations.

The flotilla is expected to arrive at the Newburgh waterfront in the early evening of June 7, where there will be a cannon welcome and music celebration. After a number of events in the Newburgh/Beacon area, it will depart for Poughkeepsie in the late afternoon of June 9, where it will remain through late afternoon on June 10, when it will depart for Kingston, Saugerties and Catskill.

Here is the full release:

JUNE 5 (Friday)-evening “launch” celebration in New York Harbor.
“Harbor Night" with the Blessing of the Fleet, and festivities at Battery Park.
6pm-Ship assembly in front of Liberty Island and muster for photo op in the harbor against the Manhattan skyline.
6:30pm Blessing of the Fleet and music at Battery Park.
Anchor or dock for dinner/party at boat/yacht clubs.
Overnight for seven flagships.

JUNE 6 (Saturday)-early morning with 8:00am pick-up of dignitaries at various overnight docking locations
and Circle Line at 42nd Street.
9am start of flotilla at Statue of Liberty joined by some of our River Day sponsors: Circle Line, Water Taxi, Scarano
Boat Works, SeaTow, Discover Boating, North Cover Yacht Club, NYS Canal Corporation and Launch Five.
Parade by Harlem, Cloisters, Yonkers, and Hudson River Museum.
Arrival in Tarrytown and Nyack area around 5-6pm for cannon welcome, festivities and fireworks.
Overnight for flagships-Onrust at Nyack Boat Club, all others in vicinity of Tarrytown and Piermont.

JUNE 7 (Sunday)-departure at 8am.
Arrival in Haverstraw and Croton by 11am for midday celebration, leaving Haverstraw by 2pm.
Parade by Stony Point, Peekskill, and other communities.
Parade by West Point to 16 cannon salute.
Arrival and cannon welcome in Newburgh/Beacon around 5-6pm.
Newburgh hosting music, Dutch singers and festivities.
Long Dock Beacon-Scenic Hudson hosting Welcome the Fleet Festival with music and cuisine.
Overnight for flagships-Clearwater, Mystic and Woody in Beacon; Half Moon, Onrust, Harvey and Cleveland in Newburgh.

JUNE 8 (Monday)-flagships stay in Beacon/Newburgh for educational programs all day.
Jet fly-overs, West Point Band and other festivities.

JUNE 9 (Tuesday)-flagships stay in Beacon/Newburgh for educational programs all day.
Depart Beacon/Newburgh at 4pm.
Arrival and cannon welcome (6pm) in Poughkeepsie area for festivities including ribbon cutting,
marching bands and cake with 400 candles.
Overnight for flagships-Poughkeepsie, Marist, and boat clubs.

JUNE 10 (Wednesday)-flagships remain in Poughkeepsie all day for educational activities.
Depart Poughkeepsie at 4-5pm.
Parade by Hyde Park State Historic Site.
Arrival and cannon welcome (6:30pm) in Kingston for celebration at the Kingston Maritime Museum.
Overnight for ships at the Museum and Rondout Marinas.

JUNE 11 (Thursday)-remain in Kingston for school groups from 8 to 11am.
Arrive and circle Saugerties Light House around noon to 2 for school groups.
Parade by Clermont State Historic Site.
Arrival and cannon welcome in Catskill/Hudson/Athens by 6pm with ribbon cutting, reception, and festivities.
Overnight for flagships-Half Moon and Cleveland in Catskill, Clearwater and Harvey in Hudson, and Onrust in Athens.

JUNE 12 (Friday)-remain in Catskill/Hudson/Athens area for school groups until noon.
Arrival and cannon welcome in Castleton at 4 for special final night dinner and fireworks.
Overnight for flagships-Clearwater and Onrust and Naval Militia at Castleton Boat Club, Half Moon, Cleveland and Harvey at Brick Yard.

JUNE 13 (Saturday)-depart Castleton at 11am.
Arrival at 12:30 for final cannon welcome and day-long celebrations including Yankee Doodle Band,
Fort Crailo exhibit, and Blessing of the Fleet.
Half Moon in Albany, Clearwater and Onrust in Rensselaer.