Riverside Park Announces 2011 Summer on the Hudson

The 11th annual Summer on the Hudson goes the distance this year with the inclusion of West Harlem Piers Park, becoming this summer's largest free festival in New York City. Now in its 11th season, Summer on the Hudson will be offering more than 75 blocks of free summer events from May 1 through mid November.

"Just go West and you'll find over 80 fantastically free events for all ages between Riverside Drive and the Hudson River," says new Director of Programming, Zhen Heinemann. "I hope this season will increase the recognition of Riverside Park as a summertime fun destination."

From 59th to 135th Street, highlights of the annual summer arts and culture festival include:

Movies Under the Stars' "TERRORIBLE!!! Terror Though the Ages" - 2012 getting you spooked? In anticipation of the coming year, the series features six premier Hollywood films including The Birds, the Invisible Man (1933), and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
7th Annual Globesonic Sound System Dance Party - Join hundreds of partygoers at this jammin' open-air summer dance party, featuring live drumming and world music spun by the Globesonic DJs. Hooping encouraged!
9th Annual West Side County Fair - Enjoy a little country right here in Manhattan with live performances, carnival rides, a petting zoo and more! Visit the "Green Acre" environmental corner for hands-on activities about environmental awareness, green living and animal care.
Pedal Stops and Learn to Ride Days - To encourage New York City bikers to enjoy the beautiful Hudson river, Bike New York & Bike and Roll partnered to provide rest stops with snacks, safety info, tune ups and tips to make every bike trip safe, fun and healthy.
Play Dates and Game Days - West Harlem Piers Park offers "Play Dates," a performance series on the second Saturday of each month, and "Game Days," free game equipment, including lawn bowling and a giant tic-tac-toe board, every Tuesday.
Lunchtime Listen - Pack a brown bag and enjoy the ambient acoustics in this music performance series every last Friday of the month.

About Summer on the Hudson
Summer on the Hudson strives to present events that meet the cultural and recreational needs of the community, enrich the daily lives of New Yorkers and bring diverse groups of people together to enjoy the panoramic north and south views of the Hudson River. Summer on the Hudson programming is free to the public and seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating begins 1-2 hours before the event. In the event of heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be cancelled. No rain dates are scheduled. If attendance reaches maximum capacity, management reserves the right to close participation.

About New York City Parks & Recreation
NYC Parks & Recreation is the steward of more than 29,000 acres of land - 15 percent of New York City - including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. Parks & Recreation operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 48 recreational facilities, 17 nature centers, 13 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. The department cares for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums and looks after 600,000 street trees and two million more in parks. It is New York City's principal provider of recreational and athletic facilities, programs, concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

General Information
Riverside Park South is located on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets with entrances at 59th, 68th, 72nd Streets. West Harlem Piers Park is located on the Hudson River between 124th -135th Streets with entrance at 125th Street.

Permanent food and drink concessions (cafes) are located in the park at 62nd, 70th, 79th and 103rd Streets. Mobile vendors can be found in various locations throughout the park. Restrooms are located at 70th, 72nd, 79th, 81st (Playground), 91st (Playground), 97th (Playground), 105th, 123rd and 148th (Playground) Streets.

Courtesy of Bike and Roll, bike rental is available at the 72nd Street basketball courts and the 135th Street Greenway this spring and fall from 9am - 7pm, and this summer from 9am - 8pm, dependent on weather.

Funding for public programming brought to you by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Riverside Park Fund and Riverside South Planning Corporation. For more information, to donate to programming, or to volunteer please visit www.riversideparkfund.org or call 212.408.0219

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