By Michael Risinit, The Journal News, LoHud.com, link to original article
Organizers from Manhattan to Troy aren’t letting the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up and down his eponymous river pass without recognition – even if money is short.
Planning for the quadricentennial marking Hudson’s exploration, as well as that of Frenchman Samuel de Champlain’s discovery of the lake bearing his name, began in 2002. With the anniversaries just months away and the state in the midst of an economic mess, dollars are tight but enthusiasm is high.
“With less money, we do less, but it’s more meaningful. That’s how we feel,” said Tara Sullivan, executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. “2009 is here. We’re not going to cheat New Yorkers in honoring their great American history.”
The celebration also recognizes the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s journey up the Hudson River on the first successful steamboat. Sullivan said the state budgeted $4 million for the commission in fiscal year 2008-09. That money, she said, was awarded to communities for local events. “We’re only just beginning to be able to deliver that. It is beginning to flow,” she said.
The 1909 Hudson tricentennial focused on light and flight, a nod to Thomas Edison and his electric lights and the Wright brothers, less than six years after their first flight, flying over New York Harbor. This time, Sullivan said, the focus is “economic and environmental sustainability.”
Sullivan said the state commission’s Web site recently racked up it’s 1,000th event posting for the 2009 celebration. One of the highlights is “River Day,” which starts June 6 and runs for several days. Some 400 boats, both pleasure craft and historic vessels, are to sail from New York City to Albany in an effort to connect the celebrating communities. Boats from Ossining Boat and Canoe Club are expected to join the convoy early June 7, sailing between the Scarborough light river marker and Croton Point.
“It’s winter. Our boats are on land, shrink-wrapped and all. But people are gearing up for this,” said Pat Unger of the Ossining club, who is event coordinator for all boat clubs from Yonkers to Poughkeepsie.
“If everybody starts spreading the word, everybody will start to know,” Sinistore said of the dozens of Westchester events celebrating Hudson’s voyage.
Putnam tourism director Valerie Hickman said she has “a few things in the limelight, particularly in the Cold Spring area,” referring to the village and nearby hamlet of Garrison on the Hudson’s shores. This includes events for River Day, fireworks around the Fourth of July and other festivities.
Cold Spring Mayor Anthony Phillips said he hopes to organize a village community day to celebrate the quadricentennial. Last week, the mayor and other officials received a quadricentennial flag from the commission.
Sullivan, the commission’s executive director, had one suggestion for state residents, given the sobering economic times and the celebrations planned for their backyards. “Don’t go anywhere else. Stay in New York this year,” Sullivan said.
