The 2009 quadricentennial of Henry Hudson”™s first journey up the Hudson River should not only celebrate New York”™s “unique and eclectic history,” according to the executive director of the group staging the celebration, but can be used to chart a course to a more prosperous future.
That was the message Tara Sullivan, executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission brought to a breakfast meeting of the Southern Dutchess Regional Chamber of Commerce July 16.
The anniversary references Hudson”™s first journey of discovery aboard the Half Moon and also the steam-powered journey from Manhattan to Albany by Robert Fulton in 1807 ”“ a bit more than a bicentennial ”“ and the less-well-known 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain”™s first journey across the lake that now bears his name.
Sullivan said the state aims to note the anniversaries in a series of events throughout next year, celebrating the Dutch, French and English settlers and the Native Americans they met when they arrived and to celebrate the commerce, tolerance and diversity that have characterized New York from the beginning.
But perhaps most important, she suggested, the celebrations were about the future of New York and the Hudson Valley. “How can we use this quadricentennial, seize it as an opportunity to revitalize the Hudson Valley economy?” Sullivan asked.
Visitors from around the region, the country and the world will discover the Hudson Valley, she said, and become aware of “our quality of life.” She said this was the factor cited in a study by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation as the region”™s most attractive feature and said the celebrations of 2009 will help the valley and the state show off in style.
She cited some highlights expected to take place next year. She said the newest initiative was something called “opening day” for the river, when groups of boat owners along the entire length of the river from New York to Albany will go out on the river the same day. There will be an opening day for New York harbor as well, but dates for the events were not announced.   Â
Additionally, Sullivan noted, “The park in the sky will open.” She was referring to the Walkway Over the Hudson, the re-opening of the closed railroad span from Poughkeepsie to Highland, linking the two sides of the river 212 feet above the water. The pedestrian thoroughfare is slated for a grand opening the first week of October 2009.
The state has arranged four formal vehicles to help groups, businesses, municipalities and individuals participate in unfurling the events and celebrations The Ambassador program allows corporations and other businesses to be listed as sponsors for events; the Explore NY 400 program targets partnerships with municipalities and community groups; the Community Mini-Grant program can provide seed money for quadricentennial celebrations; and the Portfolio Project can match public and private entities seeking funding for events with possible private funding.
