Join the 125th anniversary party for the Statue of Liberty - NorthJersey.com
Join the 125th anniversary party for the Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty has celebrated America's freedom since being placed on Liberty Island in 1886, and now it's time to throw a celebration just for her.
The Statue of Liberty turns 125 on Friday, and the New York City area will celebrate in a fitting fashion with fireworks and nighttime cruises in New York Harbor. Even those who can't make it to Lady Liberty's party in person can pay tribute online via Twitter.
The statue was the brainchild of French author Édouard René de Laboulaye, who envied America's democratic government and saw the gift of the statue as a wish that France would someday become democratic. The United States built her pedestal; the statue arrived in New York in 1885 and was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886.
The island and the statue have undergone makeovers and renovations over the years, including a restoration project for the statue's 100th birthday in 1986. The statue closed for 100 days after the Sept. 11 tragedy. The day after the 125th celebration, the entire interior of the statue will be closed for approximately one year to upgrade its pedestal and base. Liberty Island will remain open.
Here are some of the events in honor of the Statue of Liberty's quasquicentennial anniversary:
* The National Park Service, which oversees the State of Liberty National Monument, will host a full day of activities. From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a naturalization ceremony, musical performances, a 21-gun salute, FDNY fireboat water spout display and a gift presentation to a representative of the French government. A new "torch webcam" will also be launched that day, which will allow viewers to see New York Harbor from the perspective of the torch. Finally, Macy's will launch a fireworks show, synced with patriotic music, over Liberty Island at 7:45 p.m.
The first ferries from Battery Park in New York City and Liberty State Park in Jersey City will leave at 9:30 a.m. and continue to depart until 3:30 p.m. The last boat off both islands is at 5 p.m. No visitors are allowed on Liberty or Ellis Island during the fireworks display.
* Spirit Cruises is hosting a three-hour cruise on New York Harbor, which includes a buffet, entertainment and a front-row seat to that night's fireworks display. Boarding begins in Weehawken, or at Chelsea Pier in New York, at 6:30 p.m. The cruise lasts from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $89.90 per person. To register, call 866-483-3866 or go to spiritofnewyork.com. Statue Cruises offers a similar package, with boarding at Liberty Landing Marina in New Jersey at 6 p.m. and Gangway 3 in Battery Park at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $84. Call 201-604-2800 or see statuecruises.com.
* The famous poem by Emma Lazarus etched at the base of the statue — "The New Colossus" — has greeted those arriving in New York Harbor since the 1880s. On Friday, the Poets House, a poetry library in Battery Park, is hosting a Twitter project to celebrate the legacy of the Statue of Liberty. Anyone following the @PoetsHouse Twitter account can tweet a single line explaining what the Statue of Liberty means to them. (Followers should use a #statuepoem hashtag.) Poets House will collect the tweets and turn them into a poem that will be posted on the Poets House website as well as the National Park's Statue of Liberty site. Visit poets house.org or nps.gov/stli/ index. htm for more information.
* Hotel Pennsylvania is offering a special Lady Liberty Anniversary package for visitors wanting the full Statue of Liberty experience. The package includes two foam crowns, ferry ride to/from the island, and a visit to the statue grounds and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Rates start at $149 a night. Available through Dec. 31.
Visit hotelpenn.com for more information.
