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YONKERS, N.Y. Organizers are expecting record crowds as Yonkers biggest celebration of the year will take on a special meaning this weekend.
Yonkers Riverfest will celebrate its 20th Anniversary Saturday with a special ceremony to mark the official grand opening of the daylighted Saw Mill River.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is expected to lead a group of elected officials who will be on hand for the noon unveiling of Van der Donck Park, a new space surrounding the recently uncovered Saw Mill River in downtown Yonkers.
This years event is shaping up as the best Riverfest ever, said Steve Sansone, executive director of the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID, the sponsors of Riverfest. We are expecting record crowds and look forward to the historic grand opening of the daylighted Saw Mill River.
The annual free event, which typically attracts more than 25,000 visitors from Westchester and the surrounding area, will be held on the streets of downtown Yonkers and along the waterfront.
Riverfests festivities will kick off at 11:30 am with a Parade of Flags, a colorful showcase of roughly 20 different flags that represent cultural organizations throughout the city. Beginning on the corner of Riverdale and Main streets, the parade will conclude at the Larkin Plaza park, just in time for the dedication ceremony.
Thats when elected officials will christen Van der Donck Park, named in honor of Adriaen Van der Donck,(1618 1655), a Dutch landowner whose estate later became the City of Yonkers.
As part of the opening ceremony, Riverside Kids, Inc., will perform music, followed with a blessing of the Saw Mill riverbed by Moonhawk, an inter-tribal Native American singing and dancing troupe. Their performance will signify the official opening of the river and the start of Riverfest 2012.
Thats when the downtown festivities will get into full swing, with live music on five outdoor stages placed throughout the downtown area. Visitors will also be welcomed with street performers, arts and crafts, international food, face painting, miniature golf and classic car displays.
On the waterfront, the Science Barge will host bead-making, a healthy eating table and electric bike challenge, among other things.
Down the river, the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club has revived the traditional Riverfest Mayors Cup. At noon, kayakers will hit the water in a circular, one-kilometer race, competing for a chance to have their name engraved on the Mayors Cup trophy.
And for those looking to get a head start on the days events, the Beczak Environmental Education Center will offer morning seining beginning at 10 a.m.
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