(CATSKILL, New York) – The Quadricentennial Flotilla – a parade of historic ships that are sailing from New York Harbor to Albany to celebrate “River Day” and the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s exploration of the Hudson River – will make its way to Greene County on June 11-12, where it will be greeted with great fanfare and a public barbecue on the Catskill riverfront.

The ships are due to pass by Historic Catskill Point on Thursday, June 11 at about 6 p.m., with the Catskill High School Band heralding their arrival. The Half Moon – a full-scale replica of the Dutch East India Company ship that Hudson sailed in 1609 – will veer off to dock at the Point for the night, while the Governor Cleveland Tug will dock at the Catskill Marina. The Onrust, a replica of the first Dutch ship built in America, will continue on to spend the night in Athens and the Sloop Clearwater and John J. Harvey Fire Boat will dock in Hudson overnight.

The ships will announce their arrival by shooting off cannon-like noisemakers. Fire alarms and church bells in Greene County will respond in welcome. As the Half Moon approaches the dock at Historic Catskill Point, the special Quadricentennial flag will be raised, the band will play the National Anthem, and Greene County Legislators along with the Greene County Tourism staff will welcome the crew .

Following the ceremonies, All Fired Up Backyard BBQ will be serving chicken and pulled pork dinners for $11 and hamburger and hot dog meals for kids for just $5.

“We hope Greene County residents will come out in droves to welcome these historic ships to our shores,” said Daniela Marino of Greene County Tourism. “It’s a wonderful way to re-live a bit of our rich history and to have a fun evening on the riverfront,” she said.

Before the ships depart around noon on June 12, the 4th and 7th grade classes from the Catskill Central School district will have “ground tours” of the Half Moon. Approximately 160 students will have the opportunity to view the ship from the shore and ask questions of the crewmembers. The Catskill Middle School band will perform and each student will be given a Quadricentennial Commemorative Coin as a souvenir.

The celebration at Historic Catskill Point to welcome the flotilla is one of more than a dozen special events Greene County is hosting this summer and fall to celebrate the Hudson Valley’s Quadricentennial.

For more information, call Greene County Tourism at 943-3223 or visit www.GreeneTourism.com.