RiverFestBX was absolutely wonderful. KRVC hosted two full days of sail boat rides, culture, children's activites, great food and so much more on the College of Mt. Saint Vincent campus. The weather was perfect as we celebrated on the banks of the sparkling Hudson River. We all feel immensely grateful to have this glorious river in our community and RiverFestBX is all about making our river more accessible to the Bronx. Lloyd Ultan, Bronx borough historian, was there to give a fascinating talk on the history of Riverdale and the river. Bob Bender of Community Board 8 also spoke about the status of the Greenway plans and the work that our community is doing to make it happen.
The event highlight are the sails on the Hudson River. There were eight public sails on the historic tall ship the Pioneer. Now with the South Street Seaport Museum, the Pioneer was built as a sloop in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania in 1885 to carry sand mined near the mouth of the Delaware Bay to an iron foundrey in Chester, Pennsylvania. Ten years later it was re-rigged as a schooner. Today, after being substantially rebuilt in the 1960's, she piles the waters of the New York Harbor carrying adults and children instead of cargo in her current role as a piece of "living history." The Pioneer has been a part of RiverFest for the last several years.
We want to thank our top sponsors for helping us to produce this event, New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital, Douglas Elliman, Con Edison, Hebrew Home of Riverdale, NYPIRG, Green Mountain Energy, Riverdale Family Orthodontics, Manhattan College, Apple Bank, Montefiore, and Skyview Wines. So many of our sponsors participted in the weekend enjoying the crowds and connecting with members of the community.
Senator Alessandra Biaggi attended the event and spoke to the crowd, as well as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Thanks to Councilman Andrew Cohen for the free bike helmet give away.
The kids had a great time getting their faces painted, in the bouncey house, exploring the Bronx Children's Museum mobile museum and more
The live stage program was fantastic including Irish singer/songwriter Mary Courtney, jazz vocalist Cynthia Soriano and her band, Seeing Voices rock band, and Salsa Unlimited. We were also treated to a performance from the Riverdale Youth Chorus and the Kappock Street Poets. We were pleased to host some of our very talented local fine artists who displayed and sold their work including Valerie Deas, Jordan Moss, Cinnamon Willis, Beauty and the Beads, and the Riverdale Art Association.
The event featured strolling performers. Steve Oates played his guitar on the Castle Lawn. Barbara Ann Michaels entertained people all day with fun, intereactive educational demonstations about the Hudson River Greenway Initiative. All-Around Circus Performer Justin Wood juggled, rode a unicycle, walked a tight rope and more throughout the event.
RiverFest's special attractons included a Native American Art Education Program with Barry Keegan, paddling lessons and a canoe demonstration with New York Outigger, pet adoptions, yoga and more.
We are truly grateful for our dedicated community and proud to be a part of it and to be able to produce this event every year.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
