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Sunnyside, Van Cortlandt Manor welcome all to celebrate an historic Independence DayActivities include marching in a parade and making ice creamTARRYTOWN, NY (June 10, 2008) - Participating in old-fashioned ice-cream making, listening to a spirited reading of the Declaration of Independence, marching in a grand parade, and drilling and mustering with military re-enactors are some of the activities visitors can take part in at Washington Irving's Sunnyside in Tarrytown and Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson on Independence Day, Friday, July 4th. Both sites, living history museums that are part of the Historic Hudson Valley network, will be dressed up in their finest patriotic regalia to celebrate the nation's founding. Visitors can journey back to 1808 at Van Cortlandt Manor and to 1858 at Sunnyside. The events take place from 10-5 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.hudsonvalley.org. Dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence are a feature at both sites. At Sunnyside, comic vignettes will take place throughout the day, featuring toasts to the Republic and spirited debates about the pros and cons of temperance and women's suffrage. On the issue of whether women should be granted the right to vote, two sisters will duke it out in a lively fashion. Visitors can also participate in country dancing with caller Eric Hollman, join in rousing renditions of patriotic songs, witness the feats of comedic juggler Will Shaw, and play "town ball," an early version of baseball that uses a big at and small ball. The home of Washington Irving will be open for tours throughout the day. "Our celebration at Sunnyside re-creates the transition period between more ‘stately' celebrations of the Fourth in the early 19th century and the more festive, family oriented celebrations that came into vogue after the middle of the century," said Dina Rose Friedman, Sunnyside site director. At Van Cortlandt Manor, the day's centerpiece is a vast parade starting at 2 p.m. in front of the manor house. The parade will traverse the entire site and end with a special ceremony, singing, dancing, and games. Children can carry banners and all are invited to march. "Marching in the parade is a great way to demonstrate your patriotic spirit," said Althea Corey, site director at Van Cortlandt Manor. From 10-2:30, a military re-enactment group will set up camp and invite one and all to drill and muster. Visitors can help with camp activities such as fire starting with flint and steel. Storyteller Jonathan Kruk will be telling patriotic tales, and visitors will be encouraged to dance to 18th-century fiddle music. While either event could be a perfect preamble to a picnic elsewhere, classic Fourth of July food from Geordanes Market in Irvington will be available, giving visitors an easy option for lunch. Of course, picnickers are welcome to bring their own treats. Admission to either site is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under age 5 and HHV members. Tours of the sites' houses are included in the price of admission. Washington Irving's Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9. Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Avenue in Croton-on-Hudson, just off Route 9A. For information: 914-631-8200 or www.hudsonvalley.org Historic Hudson Valley is a network of six historic sites in Sleepy Hollow Country and the Great Estates region; Washington Irving's Sunnyside; Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, a historic site of the National Trust; Philipsburg Manor; the Union Church of Pocantico Hills; Van Cortlandt Manor; and Montgomery Place Historic Estate. --30-- |
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