PARK IT HERE OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Saturday, September 5

Hudson River Park's Pier 84 at 44th Street

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free tug- and fireboat rides (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Tours of historic vessels (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Rides will be aboard two vintage vessels--the 102 year-old tug Pegasus and the 60-year-old tug Cornell.

The 95-year-old Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge (a.k.a. Lehigh Valley # 79) will be open for tours as will the century-old tugboat Urger, the flagship of the New York State Canal System, the Hudson River sloop Clearwater and the Day Peckinpaugh, a 259-foot cargo carrier that is now owned by the New York State Museum

Saturday festivities will also feature maritime exhibits, kid's activities, food, and music by The Mercantillers, who will perform a colorful mix of sea chanteys, folk songs and rock 'n roll.

Reservations for boat rides should be made in advance at the North River Historic Ship Society website, www.nrhss.org .

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Sunday, September 6

Hudson River Park's Pier 84 at 44th Street and North

9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition

More than 20 boats are expected to participate in a race from roughly 72nd to 44th Street along the Hudson River.

There will be shore-side viewing from Hudson River Park's Pier 84 and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.  Best viewing will be from a Circle Line spectator boat that will follow the race and all on-the-water activities.  The spectator boat ($35 for adults; $30 for seniors and children) will depart at 9:30 a.m., and the tugboat parade and race will begin at 10 a.m.

After the race, the tugs will test their strength in nose-to-nose pushing challenges (kind of reverse tugs of war) and crews will act like maritime cowboys as they try to lasso a huge cleat on the pier.  After the on-the-water competition, the boats will nose up to Pier 84 where crews will come ashore for lunch while judges select the best-looking tug, the best crew tattoo and more.

There will also be maritime exhibits, food, children's activities and a spinach-eating contest for all would-be Popeyes.

To find out more and to buy spectator boat tickets, visit www.workingharbor.org or call 212-757-1600.

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Sunday, September 6

Friends' Labor Day Weekend Boat Ride

Departs, Hudson River Park's Pier 40

at Houston Street

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us for an end of summer Hudson River cruise with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the Park.

Click here for Reservations .

Come see the works of the teenagers in our Summer Photography Program.  For more information, click here .