FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Geoff Brault
610.585.5743
Friends of the Walkway Hosting Annual Starry Starry Night Benefit Virtually on Friday, October 2
Participants will enjoy Hudson Valley spirits and refreshments plus an entertaining program featuring Herb Alpert, Amy Helm, Happy Traum with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Mary Stuart Masterson, Dar Williams, and more.
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (September 4, 2020) – The Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization is hosting its annual Starry Starry Night benefit virtually on Friday, October 2. The highlight of the evening is the 7 p.m. premiere of a Walkway-inspired video featuring entertainment by internationally known musicians with ties to the Hudson River Valley including Herb Alpert, Amy Helm, Happy Traum with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Dar Williams, plus appearances by Mary Stuart Masterson and others recognizable to those that love the Walkway.
The celebration pairs perfectly with the Walkway’s Party and Gift Box featuring the best in Hudson Valley drink and refreshments including a choice of wine from Millbrook Vineyards, whiskey from Tuthilltown Distillery, or beer from Mill House Brewing Company via Dutchess Beer Distributors. Your tipple is accompanied by local charcuterie and cheese sourced by Main Course Catering, griddled bruschetta, smoked almonds, cake balls for dessert from Auntie Liana’s Baked With Love, Ma and Pa’s kettle corn (the same kettle corn available in the park), select artisanal products, Walkway souvenirs, and more. Party and Gift Boxes cost $150 ($100 non-alcoholic) and are strictly limited in supply. A portion of the purchase price is tax deductible. Secure yours now at walkway.org/starrystarrynight.
Before, during, and after the evening’s video presentation, a carefully curated online auction featuring one-of-a-kind local experiences, luxurious getaways, health and beauty products, and rounds of golf will be open to all.
“While we will surely miss seeing all of our friends in person under our magnificent clear-top tent at the Walkway this year, this virtual event is the next best thing to connect everyone to what they love most about Walkway Over the Hudson while respecting social distancing,” said Elizabeth Waldstein, Executive Director, Friends of the Walkway.
All proceeds from Starry Starry Night support the Friends of the Walkway and their mission to add amenities to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, host engaging community programs and events, undertake capital construction projects, support the volunteer Ambassadors, and much more. It is through the generosity of those that love the Walkway that the Friends have been able to build welcome centers on both approaches to the bridge, construct the 21-story glass enclosed elevator, improve the guests’ experience by offering walking tours and informational signage about the Hudson Valley, and add an electric tram to the park to assist visitors with mobility challenges, and more.
Starry Starry Night is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors. Ursa Major: Entergy, Nuvance Health, One Dutchess, Dr. Lucy R. Waltezky, Michael Fleischer and Michael Dupree. Cassiopeia: Bruderhof, Chronogram Media, Drake Creative, Herb Redl Properties, Hudson Valley Credit Union, iHeart Media of the Hudson Valley, M&T Bank, MidHudson Regional Hospital and Health Alliance Hospital, members of the WMCHealth Network, Royal Carting Service Company, Siegrist Construction, and Tompkins Mahopac Bank. Orion: Bellefield Development Partners, (an affiliate of T-Rex Capital Group, LLC), The Chazen Companies, Clay Hiles, Kevin Cleary and Holly Walhberg, CPL, Dunkin Donuts Hyde Park, Hudson Valley Cancer Center, Ron and Cathy Lane, Thomas P. Lepre, Robert and Sarah Levine, Murphy Wealth Management, Kip Bleakely O’Neill, Trish and Mike Prunty, RBT CPAs LLP, Nevill and Kathy Smythe, John Storyk and Beth Walters-Storyk – WSDG, William A. Smith & Son Insurance, and Woodstock Chimes. Gemini: Carol Gordon Consulting, Eastdale Town Center, New Corn Crib Greenhouse, Pain Point IT Solutions and Rondout Savings Bank. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available at walkway.org/starrystarrynight.
About Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Connecting the City of Poughkeepsie and the Hamlet of Highland in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a renowned tourism and recreation destination visited by 600,000 people each year. Standing 212 feet above the river's surface and more than 6,700 feet (1.28 miles) long, the Walkway is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. The park provides unique access to the Hudson River's breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with disabilities. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset, weather permitting. For more information, visit walkway.org.
About Friends of the Walkway Over the Hudson
Supported by a diverse coalition of members, donors, and corporate sponsors, the Friends of the Walkway organization is responsible for raising funds to enhance the Walkway experience, support capital improvements, and deliver innovative events that engage Hudson Valley residents and visitors, all contributing to the vitality of the region. Additional programs and activities supported by the Friends of the Walkway include the volunteer Ambassador program, Walkway tours and interpretative signage in the park, providing accurate and important information to visitors via the Walkway’s website and social media channels, the Walkway’s membership and merchandise programs, and much more. To learn more about how your support can improve the Walkway Over the Hudson and support the Hudson Valley, visit walkway.org.
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