The Hermione - Lafayette Parade of Ships to begin 11AM on July 4th in New York City Harbor With a Sail Up the Hudson River

The event is a Celebration of Historic Proportions during four days of activities throughout the city July 1 - 4

News provided by

Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc.

Jul 01, 2015, 06:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hermione, the authentic replica of the 18^th century ship the Marquis de Lafayette, sailed to the America's with news of full French support for the cause, will lead a Parade of private and commercial ships up the Hudson River on July 4^th, 2015

Ships will meet at Gravesend Bay at 10.30am, pass under the Verrazano Bridge, and sail up the Hudson, with a pass by the Statue of Liberty, water blasts from a New York Harbor fire boat, fly-over by the US Navy, and any noisy accompaniment issued by our flotilla of regional mariners. The fleet will disperse off the Intrepid Museum just above Morris Canal. Parade Commodore, Michael Fortenbaugh, invites boat owners to visit www.parade.hermione2015.com /LINK FOR REGISTRATION, to sign up or learn more details about the Parade; or phone 646-844-2464.

The best on-land vantage points to see the ships under sail will be (11-11:30) along the Brooklyn coast, (12:00) by the Statue of Liberty, (12:30-1:00) along the Hudson River, closer to the Manhattan side till the Intrepid at 46th Street, then (1:30-2:30) on the way back south, closer to the New Jersey side. The parade disperses on the New Jersey side near the Morris Canal (a little to the north of Battery Park/Wagner Park), where the Hermione will then go to Governor's island.

Dockside Schedule of Events, July 1 – 4

The Hermione will be docked at the South Street Seaport, Pier 15, from July 1st-July 4th. The parade is part of 4-days of celebration featuring deck tours and heritage activities throughout New York City including:

Wednesday, July 1 – No visits on the Hermione on Wednesday

9:00-7:00pm:		Public Visits the Traveling Exhibit and the Heritage Village

		Traveling Exhibit A photographic panel display of Lafayette's role in the American Revolution and the Hermione's reconstruction.

		Heritage Village Revolutionary era re-enactors with historic shipbuilding crafts demonstrations, interactive conversations with the sailors, and a lineup of cultural activities including costumed performances by re-enactors, concerts of period, contemporary music, craft exhibitions.

		Region Poitou-Charentes, France Exhibit will have information and tourism display about the region in France where the Hermione was constructed and visitors will be able to see and sample products of the region.

10:00-12pm:		Welcome Ceremony Featuring French & American Dignitaries

Thursday, July 2

9:00-4:00pm:		Public visits of the Hermione First come, first served. No reservations required.

9:00-7:00pm:		Public Visits the Traveling Exhibit and the Heritage Village

		Traveling Exhibit A photographic panel display of Lafayette's role in the American Revolution and the Hermione's reconstruction.

		Heritage Village Revolutionary era re-enactors with historic shipbuilding crafts demonstrations, interactive conversations with the sailors, and a lineup of cultural activities including costumed performances by re-enactors, concerts of period, contemporary music, craft exhibitions.

		Region Poitou-Charentes, France Exhibit will have information and tourism display about the region in France where the Hermione was constructed and visitors will be able to see and sample products of the region.

8:00pm:		Central Park Summer Stage
		"Break a Mozart": Music and dance performance from the Poitou-Charentes music ensemble of Orchestre des Champs Elysees and National Choreographic Center of La Rochelle. It combines hip hop dance and the music of Mozart, with Choreography by Kader Attou. Rumsey Playfield (enter Central Park on 69th St & 5th Ave)
Friday, July 3

9:00-4:00pm:		Public visits of the Hermione
		First come, first served. No reservations required.

9:00-7:00pm:		Public Visits the Traveling Exhibit and the Heritage Village

		Traveling Exhibit
		A photographic panel display of Lafayette's role in the American Revolution and the Hermione's reconstruction.

		Heritage Village
		Revolutionary era re-enactors with historic shipbuilding craft demonstrations, interactive conversations with sailors, and a line-up of cultural activities including costumed performances by re-enactors, period concerts, contemporary music, crafts exhibitions.

		Region Poitou-Charentes, France
		Exhibit will have information and tourism display about the region in France where the Hermione was constructed and visitors will be able to see and sample products of the region.

11:00-12:30:		Flag raising ceremony led by Lower Manhattan Historical Society
		From Pier 15, the parade will proceed from Water Street up Wall Street to Broadway and then to Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at Bowling Green where French and American flags will be raised.

8:30pm:		Screening of film "Les Demoiselles de Rochefort."
		Battery Park; Sponsored by the Poitou-Charentes Region. Contact: NYC Parks, www.nycgovparks.org or 212-830-7754.
Saturday, July 4

11:00am:		Teen Curated Pop-Up Exhibition, Governors Island (House 18 in Nolan Park)
		Using reproductions of historic documents, artifacts, and works of art, Student Historian Teen Leaders have curated a nuanced installation that sheds light on the lives of both soldier and civilian New Yorkers during the Revolutionary War.

10:00-3:00pm:		Parade of Ships

All Days:
New York Historical Society (77^th Street & Central Park West) Lafayette's Return: The "Boy General," the American Revolution, and Hermione. Exhibit focuses on both the recreated ship and Lafayette himself, whose close friendship with George Washington and diplomatic networks in Paris helped win the war; artifacts on display from La Granges.

About the Marquis de Lafayette
"Lafayette's incredible story underlies the strong bond the United States has with France," says Judi Kilachand, Executive Director, Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc. Lafayette was just 19 years old when he volunteered to fight for the American Revolution. It was because of him that the King of France sent 5,000 soldiers and six ships to aid in the battle, and, eventually, helped defeat the British. Kilachand adds, "We are proud to partake in the Hermione's historic voyage and to welcome and sail with her in this parade of ships up the Hudson River."

About the Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc.
In 2015, a handcrafted replica of the Hermione, the 18th century frigate that brought the young Marquis de Lafayette with French troops back to General Washington, a historic voyage that changed the course in our quest for independence – returned to America. The Hermione's itinerary reaffirms the historic relationship between the United States and France. The Friends of Lafayette-Hermione in America, Inc., a non-profit group, supports this exciting adventure – partnering alongside local heritage and nautical groups, students and teachers K-through-12, and many cultural organizations, museums and universities – with a full program of exciting educational, musical, culinary and special events scheduled at each port during 2015.

For more information, contact Deborah Berger at [email protected] or call 646-391-0352

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SOURCE Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc.