This is another in a series of stories marking the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic journey up the river that now bears his name.

Quadricentennial celebrations will continue throughout the year, with a several major local events for admirers of the river and all it has to offer.

From June 6 to June 13 a flotilla of boats will journey from New York Harbor to Albany, growing in number as it travels, making stops along the way for riverside festivals. That will mean a stop in along the shores of Columbia and Greene counties around June 11 and 12.

Among the heritage ships and private vessels will be the recently completed replica of Onrust, a vessel built here first in 1614 (learn more at www.theonrust.com); the John J. Harvey fireboat, and the Half Moon, an 85-foot, full-scale replica of the ship Henry Hudson sailed while exploring the river in 1609 in search of a Northwest passage.

The Half Moon will make several stops in the region throughout the summer, including the city of Catskill, during the New York to Albany sail, and later, the city of Hudson, for its Namesake Celebration Weekend.

The city of Hudson holds claim to being the only municipality in the Hudson Valley named after the explorer. The Hudson Quadricentennial Committee formed more than a year before the anniversary arrived, according to chairman Ellen Thurston, alderman for the city’s third ward.

River Day was organized at the state level, but Thurston says Hudson will participate and several vessels of note are scheduled to stop at Catskill, Athens and Hudson on June 11 and 12.

“On June 11 the Half Moon will be docked in Catskill, but you won’t be able to go on board that day,” says Thurston. “The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater will be docked in Hudson and open for schoolchildren on June 12.” The Clearwater conducts environmental education, advocacy programs and celebrations to project the Hudson River and related bodies of water; find more information at www.clearwater.org.

Also expected during the river-based visit is the John J. Harvey, a 130-foot-long, retired fireboat that is privately owned. The John J. Harvey was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June of 2000 and came briefly out of retirement to pump water to firefighters for 80 hours at the scene of the World Trade Center beginning on September 11, 2001. Read more about the John J. Harvey, and current restoration efforts at www.fireboat.org.

Thurston says the New York Naval Militia, the Naval component of the New York State defense forces, also plans to dock in Hudson, along with the numerous pleasure boats that are expected. For more about the New York Naval Militia, visit www.dmna.state.ny.us/nynm

Adding to the spectacle and excitement, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society will be hanging a ribbon of flags between the lighthouse and a privately-owned cruiser with a high bridge across the main channel of the river to the east. “When the ships come through that area, they will pass through, under or cut that ribbon,” says Louise Bliss, executive vice president of the preservation society. “Being on the river, you can’t really plan it firmly but that’s the intention.”

“When the ships come into the harbors, all the towns and villages along the river are supposed to sound their church bells and fire whistles,” adds Bliss. “We’ll be firing a small cannon from the lighthouse.”

Further marking the event, the lighthouse will be illuminated in a different pattern at sunset. “In the winter we outline the architectural style of the lighthouse,” says Bliss. “This time we’re going to light the facade. They did a test lighting and it looked wonderful.”

Also on June 11 the society will host a Hudson Harbor sunset dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Hudson. The benefit cruise boards at 6 pm and departs at 6:30 for a voyage filled with Netherlands-style cuisine and period-appropriate music by Ampersand. “One of the interesting pieces of music is called ‘The Discoverer,’” says Bliss. “It’s an anthem written for the 1909 celebration. I think that’s going to be a first for the area.”

The cruise will be narrated by Stanley Wilcox, a boat captain in the process of writing a book about this section of the river which he spent many years sailing. “People should bring their camera and binoculars and be ready for a good time,” says Bliss.

Tickets for this unusual evening cruise are $75 per person. $40 is tax deductible as a contribution. To reserve your space, call Hudson River Cruises at 518 822 1014 or Bliss at 518 828 7884. You can also reserve through paypal at www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org.

Of more lasting significance for the city of Hudson than the gathering of ships in June is the Namesake Celebration planned for July 25 and 26. “We’re renaming our river front park,” says Thurston. “It was at one time covered, when I first came here 12 years ago, with oil tanks. Those were removed.” The soil there, spoiled by years of industry, required clean up and the site became Hudson Riverfront Park.

“The main star is going to be the Half Moon and you’ll be able to go on board for a tour. There will be lots of children’s activities, a gala concert Saturday night, fireworks and a light show,” says Thurston. For more about the Half Moon traveling museum, visit www.halfmoon.mus.ny.us. Volunteer docents in the area are encouraged to guide tours and can contact the Half Moon organization by e-mail at info@halfmoon.mus.ny.us.

Dutch folk singers, circus performers and food vendors are also in the offing for the event. Ferry service to the Village of Athens and visits to the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, for tours, will be offered. Trolley transportation throughout the City will be available.

Another weekend highlight will surely be the Henry Hudson look-alike contest. “There’s a portrait that people seem to use as the portrait of Henry Hudson but it has certainly been disputed,” says Thurston. “Anyone could win this contest—children, women, dogs—with a little facial hair.” The only requirement is that contestants wear a ruffed collar. “It’s pattern is kind of like ribbon candy and it’s very hard to make,” says Thurston.

A wooden plaque naming Henry Hudson Riverfront Park will be unveiled during the Namesake Celebration and an invitation has been extended to Governor David Paterson and his wife, Michelle, honorary chair of New York’s Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration, to participate in the dedication.

Also sure to be exciting is the August 2 Henry Hudson Quadathalon, spanning parts of Columbia and Greene counties. “This will cover four towns, four sports and relay teams of four,” says Thurston. “They will start by running from the town of Greenport across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, then swim in the Catskill Creek, bicycle to Athens then kayak across the river to the city of Hudson. Four, four, four—it’s quad all the way.”

“We hope this is the first of an annual event,” she adds.

A mini Quadathlon for children is planned for Oakdale Lake in the city of Hudson on August 2.

From June 13 to August 15, the exhibit In Henry Hudson’s Wake, photographs by Carolyn Marks Blackwood that follow Henry Hudson’s voyage up the river, will be on display at the Hudson Opera House. Find more details at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

Extensive listings of exhibits and over 1,000 events tied to the quadricentennial can be found on the state sponsored Web site, www.exploreny400.com. Also check out www.HudsonRiver400.org for additional events.