Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro, Mayor’s Office and NYC & Company announce first-ever “St. George Waterfront Festival”
Experience “The Best of Staten Island” along St. George Esplanade on Saturday
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today was joined by NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, Eugene Lee of Deputy Mayor Robert Steel’s office, and Lori Weintrob and Robert Coughlan of SI 350 at a Borough Hall press conference to announce details of this weekend’s “St. George Waterfront Festival.”
The first-ever festival will take place on Saturday, August 6th from 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (fireworks raindate Sunday, August 7th), along the St. George Esplanade, adjacent to the ferry terminal. The Esplanade, which has been revitalized in recent years under the careful direction of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, offers sweeping views of lower Manhattan and has increased waterfront accessibility for Staten Islanders. The free event is a celebration of St. George as Staten Island’s “Gateway,” and a commemoration of the Borough’s 350th anniversary this year. The day-long festival will also promote tourism by showcasing “The Best of Staten Island” -- cultural attractions, history, and ethnically diverse cuisine.
The family-fun event will also feature main stage entertainment, historic re-enactments, a local artists’ showcase, a pizza-eating contest, appearances by Miss Staten Island and Miss Manhattan, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloons, and a spectacular fireworks show. Any child who comes dressed in historic costume of any era – native American, colonial, 1950-60s, as a famous person or world leader – will receive a prize at the SI 350 table.
“At the St. George Waterfront Festival, we want to introduce Staten Island to the rest of the world and show off all that we have to offer,” Molinaro said. “I invite tourists and residents alike to attend the festival for a sampling of the arts, culture, music, and food of this great Borough. Whether you want to join in on a pizza-eating contest, meet Miss Staten Island, or get up close to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons, this first-of-its-kind event will be fun for the whole family.”
“Staten Island offers unique cultural and culinary attractions for residents and visitors alike, and the St. George Waterfront Festival will highlight some of the island’s best,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “This weekend, I encourage New Yorkers to take a ride on the ferry and take advantage of what Staten Island has to offer at this first-ever event.”
“Staten Island, particularly the St. George area, has significant economic development potential, and this festival will showcase some of the reasons why,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “Its vibrant population, scenic views and proximity to the ferry terminal make it a great place to live and visit, and I thank Borough President Molinaro, NYC & Company, NYCEDC and the community for all of the work that went into creating this event that will showcase it.”
“I am pleased to celebrate Staten Island’s 350th anniversary and to announce the first-ever St. George Waterfront Festival,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Staten Island is New York City’s most bucolic borough drawing millions of visitors each year to its parks, museums, restaurants and more. We want to encourage visitors and tourists to attend the festival and enjoy the performances, food vendors, art exhibits and all that Staten Island has to offer.”
NYC Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky said, “We are pleased to be a part of the St. George Waterfront Festival, which will celebrate Staten Island’s 350th anniversary and showcase the many unique characteristics of St. George. From bringing new tenants to the St. George Ferry Terminal, to developing the New Stapleton Waterfront, the Bloomberg Administration has been and will remain committed to Staten Island’s economic prosperity.”
Lori Weintrob, Co-Chair of SI 350, said, “Travel back in time and around the world within a few steps of the Staten Island Ferry. At this spot Verrazzano, the first European explorer of New York Harbor, encountered 30 Native American canoes, and the British had their main encampment during the American Revolution. This spot is a reminder of how Staten Island has been an exceptional place for exploration, discovery and cultural exchanges. We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Borough President's Office to celebrate the rich past and present diversity on Staten Island. From Native American Lenape fire displays to colonial re-enactments, art projects and cultural performances, there will be activities for those of all ages to experience our Borough’s rich history. The environment is the SI 350 monthly theme for August, so a festival showcasing the waterfront, one of our great assets, to visitors from around the world is perfect."
More information about the “St. George Waterfront Festival” is available on the Borough President’s website: www.StatenIslandUSA.com; the NYC & Company website: www.nycgo.com, and Staten Island’s tourism website: www.visitstatenisland.com.
August 3, 2011