Preparations are in fiull swing for Hudson Valley’s favorite international festival series, which takes place throughout the spring and summer .
The annual celebration of the arts, culture, history, and community spirit was saved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators who restored funding for the annual cultural heritage series over a county executive’veto.
The heritage series is a celebration of the county’s rich cultural diversity with displays of poetry, visual arts, song, ethnic food and a wide variety of music.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators restored funding for the series through the Department of Parks & Recreation. This program gives residents increased access to the variety and richness of Westchester’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
“The Legislature recognizes the importance of celebrating our rich heritage and culture through events like these festivals,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “Over the years, the county’s annual heritage series at Kensico Dam has provided residents with a wide variety of activities and cultural experiences.
“The Legislature is proud to have restored funding to this vital activity in the FY 2011 budget.”
The other heritage festivals in the series are as follows: • Albanian: June 5, noon to 7:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
• African-American: June 26, noon to 7:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla • Italian: July 10, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla • Irish: July 10, noon to 7:00 p.m., Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale • Polish: July17, noon to 6:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
• Arab: July 17, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers • Hispanic: July 24, noon to 7:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla • Yiddish: July 31, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla • Indian: Aug. 7, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
“This festival invites us to explore our history through contemporary interpretations of music, theatre, spoken word, and local celebrations,” said Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah). “This heritage series gives county residents increased access to the variety and richness of Westchester’s cultural diversity through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences. Making sure funds were restored for this was a no-brainer.”
For more information and directions to the parks, call (914) 864-PARK or go to westchestergov.com/parks.
