Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 6—River Day—when the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront will become one of the best locations to see the flotilla of ships sailing up the Hudson River from Manhattan in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic journey in 1609, also known as the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. The ships, led by the replica of the Half Moon ship that Henry Hudson navigated, will pass the Yonkers waterfront from approximately 10 AM to Noon.

In anticipation of the many visitors who will come to the waterfront to catch sight and take photos of the flotilla, the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District will promote River Day as one of the year’s best days for visitors to shop, dine and enjoy the great outdoors by the river. A number of restaurants will be offering $16.09 specials to celebrate the Quadricentennial Year. In addition, some department stores and other retailers will also join in providing shoppers with special discounts. The Downtown BID will also be presenting free street entertainment including musical performances by the Hudson Rhythm Boys and the River Rockers Duo as well as other attractions for the family. To find out more about the River Day celebrations including a list of restaurants and merchants that are offering specials, please visit the website, www.yonkersdowntown.com.

I’m happy to tell you that with River Day kick-off of the Quadricentennial Year celebration, the Downtown BID will be presenting the most exciting array and expanded free outdoor entertainment and other events for the enjoyment of the entire family between now and the fall. The events we are planning will make Yonkers downtown one of Westchester’s major destinations for visitors this year. That’s in keeping with the fact that Yonkers Downtown has become one of Westchester’s new ‘hot spots,’ offering something for everyone—great shopping, a wide array of dining venues, historic sites, and, of course, the spectacular waterfront.

The Downtown BID’s Quadricentennial Year highlights include the popular Evolution Arts—a free outdoor art exhibition program introduced that showcases the works of emerging artists on the third Sunday of the month held from 1 to 4 PM at Plaza Park. The afternoon of leisurely art browsing is also accompanied by live and free musical entertainment. Evolution Arts will be presented on Sundays, June 21, July 19, August 16 and September 20.

We are also adding a week to the very popular Jazz and Blues Concerts which will be staged at the Yonkers Amphitheater, Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, starting July 3 and continuing through September 4, for all to enjoy free of charge. As in the past, some of the New York metropolitan area’s top jazz and blues artists will perform by the waterfront, a great way to start the weekend. On Tuesday evenings in August, Main Street will again be transformed into an outdoor movie theater for the annual Main Street Films @ Dusk series, providing free screenings—and free popcorn— of popular motion pictures for the family.

An estimated 30,000 visitors will throng the streets on Saturday, September 12, for the 17th Annual Riverfest— arguably one of Westchester’s best attended festivals—a full day of free non-stop excitement for everyone in the family including international foods, arts and crafts vendors, amusements, educational games, exhibits, a petting zoo, classic cars, and a variety of fantastic entertainers. The excitement will begin at noon and last until dusk.

The Quadricentennial Year festivities will culminate with the Half Moon Festival on two successive weekends—October 17-18 and October 24-25—when the 85-foot long replica of the Half Moon will be on view of the waterfront dock.

With increased pedestrian traffic to the District during these great outdoor events, the BID’s Rangers will be extra busy keeping our streets clean as we once again put out a warm welcome to returning visitors and new ones who will discover Yonkers Downtown. Indeed, it is very symbolic in this Quadricentennial Year that in spite of the recession, our District has attracted new merchants and businesses who are putting down stakes to thrive here. In the past few months, the Downtown BID has welcomed six new businesses including A&T Nail Salon, Continental Restaurant II, Blue Door Art Gallery, Verizon Fios, Subway and Verizon Wireless—a development that augurs well for the area’s economic vitality.

I look forward to seeing you by the waterfront on River Day and at all the other festive events the Yonkers Downtown BID is presenting during the Quadricentennial Year celebration and beyond.