Summer is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit New York State. From swimming at Long Island beaches and camping in the Adirondacks to touring Finger Lakes wineries and soaking up the mist and views at Niagara Falls, there are endless opportunities to enjoy all the outdoor attractions New York has to offer. This year, New York State has a whole new roster of exciting experiences to offer visitors, including historic anniversaries, festivals, arts and cultural events. Executive Director of Tourism Ross Levi gave us the inside scoop:
Q: What’s special about 2019 in terms of tourism in New York State?
A: This year, we’re commemorating the 50-year anniversaries of two pivotal events in the history of New York and the world: the Woodstock Music and Art Fair and the Stonewall uprising of 1969. During Woodstock’s anniversary week in mid-August, music fans can attend the screening of the Oscar-winning documentary about the festival on the field where it took place in 1969. The Aug. 15 screening is hosted by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where "A Season of Song & Celebration" from Aug. 15 - 18 will also feature performances from legendary musicians including Ringo Starr, Arlo Guthrie, Santana, the Doobie Brothers and John Fogerty.
New York State is also hosting WorldPride 2019 this summer -- the first time the international event will be held in the United States -- in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City, which is widely seen as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. New York City is the epicenter for WorldPride, with official activities in June from the opening and closing ceremonies, to a human rights conference, outdoor Family Movie Night and the epic Pride March. However, from Long Island to Buffalo, WorldPride 2019 is truly a statewide celebration. The Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown is hosting an exhibit through Sept. 2 about celebrity LGBTQ photographer Herb Ritts, featuring his iconic photos of artists including Elton John, Cher and Madonna. In the Capital Region, the "Sing Out! New York" music festival includes free outdoor concerts by the Albany Symphony playing newly commissioned works by LGBTQ composers from June 2-9. Across Long Island, visitors can celebrate Pride on the Beach from June 12-29 with events like a market fair on the boardwalk and a Pride Pet Parade. At the Chautauqua Institution, Bishop Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, will lead discussions about the building of America’s LGBTQ community with activist Judy Shepard on July 2. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at Pride at the Falls at Niagara Falls on July 5, complete with fireworks and a rainbow-lit Falls. In Jamestown, LGBTQ comedian Matteo Lane is performing two shows on July 6 at the National Comedy Center. The "New Glass Now" exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass features works by LGBTQ artists and Queer Tours daily from June 20-July 6.
