Knickerbocker Ice Festival at Rockland Lake State Park Slated to Launch

Knickerbocker Ice Festival at Rockland Lake State Park Slated to Launch Hudson Valley Quadricentennial

Event Will Feature Ice Replicas of Henry Hudson’s Half Moon and Robert Fulton’s Clermont Amidst a Host of Festivities from Balloon Rides and Fireworks to Live Music and Dancing

Bear Mountain, New York - November 24, 2008 – The Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) has announced that the Knickerbocker Ice Festival (January 24-25, 2009) at Rockland Lake State Park has been selected as the official launch site of the Hudson Valley Quadricentennial—a year-long celebration that marks the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain’s voyages along the river and lake that bear their names, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s successful steamboat voyage on the Hudson River. The Knickerbocker Ice Festival, now in its third year, celebrates Rockland Lake’s history as the epicenter of the ice trade in the 19th century—long before the invention of the household refrigerator. Known for its sparkling, clear water, Rockland Lake was the preferred source of ice for New York City as well as international destinations. “Because the Hudson was the major trade conduit for the Knickerbocker Ice Company, which harvested most of its ice from Rockland Lake, the ice festival is the perfect venue from which to launch the Quadricentennial celebration,” said James Hall, Executive Director, PIPC. The three mile paved path around Rockland Lake will showcase multiple attractions, intended to emphasize the festival themes of community, resourcefulness, and sustainability. The festival will feature a 20-foot ice replica of Henry Hudson’s ship the Half Moon by ice sculptor Robert Patalano, a Rockland native. Emmy-winning and internationally famed ice sculptor Earl Covington will reproduce Robert Fulton’s steamboat the Clermont. Weekend festivities include: Pleine Air Art...local artists capture the beauty of the park on Saturday; art goes on sale Sunday Fireworks over Rockland Lake Saturday eve · Hot Air Balloon Rides: Tethered balloons rise over Rockland Lake with the Hudson as a backdrop · Tour of the Ice Gallery: images from the PIPC's archives frozen into blocks of ice · Live music and dance performances Demonstrations of rustic furniture making Warm food and beverages Tours of Knickerbocker Ice House #3, an historic remnant from the 19th Century ice trade Campfires and warming stations And more