River Fun at Riverfest

Groundwork Hudson Valley, Beczak Environmental Education Center, and the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club will lend their own special brand of fun to the 20th Annual Yonkers Riverfest on Saturday, September 8. While the downtown area and waterfront will be alive with music, international food, crafts, and street performers, there will also be activities celebrating nature in, on, and next to the Saw Mill and Hudson Rivers at the Science Barge, the Beczak Center, the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club, the Clearwater Sloop, and in the new Saw Mill River Van der Donck Park. Here are some of the offerings:

Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander Street – 10am-noon

The Beczak Center provides exhibits and programs for all ages to raise environmental awareness and to encourage informed stewardship of the rivers in our midst—the Hudson, the Saw Mill, and the Bronx.

Before the start of Riverfest at noon, get in the spirit by getting in the river with morning seining at low-tide. Beczak will outfit you with waders and expert assistance, as you lower 30-foot nets into the Hudson. Pull up nets alive with critters—blue crab, perch, shrimp, and maybe even an eel or two!

Science Barge, 99 Dock Street – Noon ‘till dusk
Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Science Barge is an internationally acclaimed model of sustainable urban farming. This delightful oasis of food learning and invention operates entirely off the grid. Join the Science Barge crew for the following activities:

• Healthy eating tasting table -- featuring delicious offerings from the Environmental Food Team
• Solar bead bracelet making
• Fall seedling sale--featuring such cool weather crops as broccoli, spinach, and lettuces
• Electric Bike Challenge--test your pedaling skills to keep the lights on
• Inventors' Free for All--build a motor, toss eggs, "catch the force" with a centrifugal lasso
• Compost "worm" toss
• Nature gift table

American Eel Outdoor Classroom, Van Der Donck Park, Larkin Plaza – Noon till dusk                  

This unique new public space, designed and built by Groundwork Hudson Valley, will offer educational programming, in partnership with Beczak and Yonkers Public Library, centered around the history and native creatures of the Saw Mill River. The classroom is located on the boardwalk surrounding the river recently uncovered by the successful daylighting project in which Groundwork played a major role.

• Learn the amazing tale of the American Eel's migration.  See the fabulous mosaic depicting this unique story and meet the renowned artist behind it
• River Monsters! See how you measure up to some of the big fish who rule the river waters. This interactive exhibit will test your knowledge of river life and ecology
• Tour the daylighted river and learn of the engineering and environmental odyssey behind the new park

Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club (YPRC), on the water at Alexander Street – Noon   

The YPRC is a membership organization whose mission is to encourage the growth of and participation in rowing and paddling sports and to inform the public about the environment of the Hudson River and the importance of its protection for present and future generations. 

• YPRC has revived its traditional Riverfest Mayor’s Cup. This is a circular short course 1km kayak race for men and women, with winner's names etched onto an actual Mayor's Cup.  Mayor Spano will award the winners. 
• A public kayaking program will run from 3:00-6:00.
• There will be food and a BBQ later!

Presented by the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District in cooperation with the City of Yonkers, Yonkers Riverfest is one of Westchester’s largest street celebrations, attracting more than 25,000 visitors from throughout the county.

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