Press Release
July 02, 2007
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Cathy Jimenez
518.486.1868
State Parks and Historic Sites Celebrate Independence Day
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Carol Ash today outlined a series of events planned for Fourth of July at state parks and historic sites throughout New York. In celebration of the holiday, events will be hosted for all ages on Long Island, New York City, and Upstate New York.
"New York State Parks and Historic Sites offer something for everyone this July 4th," said Ash. "In addition to grand fireworks celebrations at Jones Beach, fantastic concerts at Riverbank and Roberto Clemente State Parks and educational patriotic commemorations at many of our state historic sites, New Yorkers are invited to visit their local state parks for a family picnic, a swim or an old-fashioned hike."
Below is a sample of some of the regional 4th of July events planned at New York State parks and historic sites.
Long Island
Enjoy breathtaking big bangs in the sky, courtesy of Bayworks Fireworks, at the Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach State Park. Spectators will be entertained with vibrant colors and awesome sounds simulcast to a musical array of patriotic songs. Showtime is 9:30pm on July 4th. For further information contact (516) 785-1600.
Long Island
Riverbank State Park will be celebrating July 4th and the grand reopening of their spectacular Amphitheater on the Hudson River with "The Prince of Harlem" himself, Lonnie Youngblood from 1pm-2:30pm and from 3:30pm -5pm. The event is known as the Fourth of July Music Jamathon. Find yourself transported to Brazil as you party with the Brazilian musician and dancers of Brilho de Luz Band. (212) 694-3656
Roberto Clemente State Park will host the JP Morgan Chase 10th Annual Summer Concert Series. The first concert of the summer kicks off on Independence Day and will continue every Saturday until Labor Day. Different styles of music and artists every week from 2PM - 5PM. (718) 299-8750
Capital Region
Enjoy an old-fashioned July 4th celebration on the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site grounds, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Games, crafts, and music from the 18th century, as well as activities and ice cream are free of charge to commemorate this important day. The mansion will be available for Open House (self-guided) tours for a $2.00 admission fee. Rain or shine. (518) 434-0834
Grafton Lakes State Park will be hosting their annual July 4th Sand Sculpture Contest from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. (518) 279-1155
Palisades
Celebrate Independence Day at New Windsor Cantonment Historic Site with Revolutionary War musket and cannon demonstrations, reading of the Declaration in the Temple of Virtue, and more. (845) 561-1765
Taconic
Enjoy a reading of the Declaration of Independence and patriotic music on the front lawn at John Jay Homestead State Historic Site. (914) 232-5651
Thousand Islands
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site invites everyone to come celebrate the American tradition. The day begins with march and drill ceremonies at 10 A.M. Bagpiper Ted Whiting performs American classics at 1 P.M. A memorial dove release occurs at 2 P.M. Tour the Commandant's House at the Navy Yard from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M, with children under 12 admitted free. The day culminates with village-sponsored fireworks at dusk (9:30 P.M.) (315) 646-3634