Get Ready for Clearwater’s Second Annual Folk Picnic
The Clearwater, docked in Beacon in summer 2024.
When is a picnic more than just a picnic? When it’s hosted by Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, of course!
In the 1960s—when the Hudson River was rank with raw sewage, toxic chemicals, and pollution—a group of activists that included legendary folk musician and Beacon icon, Pete Seeger, and his friends envisioned building a boat that could save the river. And they did! Pete and his wife, Toshi, would host informal folk picnics as a positive, upbeat way to bring people together and to raise money to build the sloop that would become known as Clearwater.
About the Clearwater
Since its founding in Beacon and construction nearly 60 years ago, the 106-foot-long Clearwater has been an effective vehicle for defending and restoring the Hudson River. It has inspired generations with environmental education, advocacy, sailing, and— in the tradition of its beloved co-founder—song.
This traditional Hudson River Sloop sailing ship is known as America’s environmental flagship and is a powerful platform for education and advocacy. Each season, Clearwater welcomes aboard thousands of students for the organization’s award-winning Sailing Classroom Field Trip program, summer Youth Empowerment Programs, and thousands of individuals and families for Public, Speaker, and Music sails.
The Beginning of A New Tradition
Last year’s Folk Picnic at USC Theater, Beacon.
In the spirit of these bygone folk picnics, the second annual Clearwater Folk Picnic returns to the USC Theater at Camp Loop Road on Saturday, September 6th, from noon until 6 PM. Supporters and locals can expect the free Folk Picnic to become an annual tradition thanks to the enthusiastic response to last year’s event.
Here's the 2025 Clearwater Folk Picnic Lineup
Beyond the Ridge
Beyond the Ridge is a Hudson Valley band featuring Jim Pospisil, Paul Rubeo (the Elder), Michael Clarke, Emmy Hastings and Paul Rubeo (the Younger), all of whom have been performing extensively throughout the area for many years. Their music draws from Folk/Rock and Americana styles and is highlighted by rich vocal harmonies.
Jacob Bernz
Jacob Lee Bernz was born and raised in the Hudson Valley surrounded by the musical friends and colleagues of his father, two-time Grammy winning producer/musician David Bernz. Pete Seeger was a family friend and frequent presence in Jacob's life. His grandfather, Harold Bernz, helped start People's Songs, the precursor to Sing Out! magazine. Jacob’s great grandfather was Walter Lowenfels, the poet who co-wrote "Wasn't That a Time" with Lee Hays.
Reggie Harris
Reggie Harris is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and world-renowned song-leader who is a powerful interpreter of the global music narrative. An inspirational and engaging entertainer and concert artist, Reggie brings fresh new energy to music's role in the discourse for inclusion and the struggle for human rights.
Linda Richards
For over thirty years, Linda Richards has entertained Hudson Valley folks from school auditoriums to the decks of the sloop Clearwater. A public school classroom teacher for a decade, a strolling minstrel, Clearwater's Education and Music Director, Manitou School’s music and natural science teacher, guitar instructor, and puzzle maker, Linda is multi-talented and multi-directional.
The Wild Swan Band
The Wild Swan Band performs a unique blend of Acoustic Celtic-Americana, featuring both contemporary and traditional songs and tunes. The members are long-time friends who have lived, played, and recorded throughout the Hudson Valley, performing for decades at festivals, halls, and at Irish sessions. The band features Sarah Underhill on vocals, Ian Worpole on guitar, Jon Garelick on mandolin, T.G. Vanini on fiddle, and Robert Bard on bass.
Walkabout Clearwater Chorus
The Walkabout Clearwater Chorus is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and social action through song and education. The Chorus—a New York not-for-profit organization of volunteers operating under the name Walkabout Clearwater Sloop Inc.—is a chartered member-club of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and its activities support the work of the organization.
In Other News
Anyone who’s familiar with the Beacon waterfront will have noticed the absence of the Clearwater from the dock this year. That’s because neither the Sloop nor the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry have been able to dock in Beacon as a result of the extensive damage winter storms caused to the floating dock.
We asked David Toman, Executive Director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater what this means for the organization, “We've very much missed docking in Beacon. Clearwater was founded here in Beacon and has been sailing out of this community since its first season nearly six decades ago. Clearwater stands with the community in calling for the restoration of the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry and the replacement of the floating dock. Right now, there is no timeline that we're aware of for the restoration of the dock, but elected local, state, and elected officials have been very supportive of securing the funding needed to replace the dock, and we hope to return to Beacon next season.”
Clearwater’s Ongoing Mission
A call for members at the 2024 Folk Picnic, USC Theater, Beacon.
While the Hudson is healthier and cleaner than it was 60 years ago—thanks to organizations like Clearwater, Riverkeeper, and Scenic Hudson—Clearwater’s mission remains ensuring the river is protected and cultivating the next generation of environmental leaders. There’s still a long way to go before its work is done.
In 2025, much of Clearwater’s advocacy has focused on the PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) contamination of the Hudson River by providing feedback on and engaging the public in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund 5-Year Review process.
For more than 30 years, General Electric released PCBs into the Hudson River, which caused persistent toxic pollution along more than 200 miles of the river for almost 70 years. Earlier in 2025, Friends of A Clean Hudson Coalition, which includes Clearwater, condemned the EPA’s review for ignoring its own data that revealed the level of PCBs in the water is significantly higher than anticipated. The health risk is especially high for low-income families who may rely on the river as a food source. David Toman recently shared, “Communities along the river will experience the impact of this outcome for years to come, particularly families who rely on the river as a primary or secondary food source. The public and scientific consensus support the need for additional action to expedite the recovery of the Hudson.”
As part of an effort to educate and protect the fishing community along the river, the New York State Department of Health has proposed new fish consumption advisory signs. There is a survey the public can take to help ensure the efficacy of the signage. Anyone interested can participate here.
There are so many ways to support the Clearwater’s mission for environmental protection and justice. And membership comes with rewards beyond knowing you are doing your bit to support their work. It’ll also get you discounted or free public sail tickets; you can charter the sloop for a celebration (yes, there have been weddings aboard the Clearwater); or you can sponsor a community or educational sail for school groups. To dig into more ways you can get behind the Clearwater’s work, keep reading here.
Clearwater’s Folk Picnic, taking place Saturday, September 6th, USC Theater, Beacon.
So, on Saturday, September 6th, bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic basket, and even bring an instrument! There’ll be plenty of feelgood fun for everyone, kids included.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡