Senator Jeff Klein Hosts Blood Sweat & Tears Band at Riverfest 2015

Klein, Bronx elected officials, KRVC, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and families and children enjoy Grammy award-winning music group at annual RiverFest celebration

Family festival on the Hudson River featured live music, boat rides, summer fun and more

RIVERDALE, NY - State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), joined by Congressman Eliot Engel (D-Bronx/Westchester), Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx), Councilman Andrew Cohen (D-Bronx), Executive Director of the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (KRVC) Tracey McCabe Shelton, KRVC Greenway Director Cliff Stanton, President of the College of Mount Saint Vincent Dr. Charles Flynn, and local families and children, hosted beloved American music group Blood Sweat & Tears at RiverFest on Sunday.

“RiverFest is a tribute to the strength and solidarity of the Riverdale community, bringing together friends and family to celebrate the beauty of the Hudson River and relax and enjoy the summer season,” said Senator Jeff Klein. “I’m proud to have secured Grammy award-winning music group Blood Sweat & Tears to headline RiverFest 2015 and I commend KRVC for their efforts in putting together this special event. RiverFest also underscores the importance of the Hudson River Greenway – a vital,  innovative community project that would increase access to the waterfront for countless residents of the Northwest Bronx. Thanks to everyone who came out and I look forward to working together as we transform this vision of an accessible, waterfront greenway into a reality for our families and communities.”

Blood Sweat & Tears is best known for their chart topping hits like “Spinning Wheel,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “Hi-De-Ho.” In 1969, the band’s first self-titled album Blood Sweat & Tears went on to sell more than 3 million copies and won the Grammy Award for album of the year. In 1970, at the direction of the U.S. State Department, Blood Sweat & Tears completed a goodwill tour of Romania, Yugoslavia and Poland. The band has since performed sold out shows all over the world, and is widely recognized as one of the most beloved American music groups of all time.

“RiverFest has grown into one of the premiere events here in Riverdale – by highlighting all of the incredible natural beauty and fantastic local businesses our community has,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “Every year RiverFest gets bigger and bigger, and this year with ‘Blood, Sweat, and Tears’ performing this was our best event yet. RiverFest is fun for the whole family, and I’m glad everyone came out to enjoy this wonderful day.”

“Since it began, RiverFest has been an incredible gathering for our community, getting better and better every year, and I always look forward to it,” said Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz. “There is no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than having fun together with your community while listening to great live music.”

“RiverFest is an event I look forward to each summer because it brings the community together at one of the most beautiful locations in North Riverdale, the campus of the College of Mount Saint Vincent,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen. “With activities for all ages, sail boat rides along the Hudson, booths for local merchants and much anticipated musical performances, Riverdale’s RiverFest was the highlight of the weekend. RiverFest also plays a vital role in building support and momentum toward the Greenway, something members of our community have been looking forward to for a long time. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have dedicated so much time and effort to make this event the huge success that it is.”

RiverFest 2015 featured performances by Seeing Voices, The Traveling Jewburys, Mark the Harper, Riverdale Rising Stars, Sara Bouchard & the Salt Parade and more. Families and children had the opportunity to learn more about Riverdale’s waterfront community through an array of fun, engaging exhibits. Children also enjoyed face painting, arts & crafts, and games and activities provided by the Bronx Children’s Museum.

RiverFest participants included: the Bronx County Historical Society; Friends of Van Cortlandt Park; Jewish War Veterans; Kingsbridge Historical Society; Part of the Solution; Riverdale/Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture; Riverdale Neighborhood House; Riverdale Rotary Club; Sierra Club and the Wild Dog Foundation and more.

"Senator Klein has once again demonstrated that he fundamentally understands what makes a community vibrant and strong. Through his consistent support for KRVC and by bringing Blood Sweat & Tears to RiverFest, the Senator has moved the vision of a Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx closer to a reality. We applaud Senator Klein's leadership on this issue and commitment to support his work and the work of other community leaders in the days and years to come,” said Cliff Stanton, Greenway Director, KRVC.

"We are thrilled to have this fabulous addition to our RiverFest. It truly enhanced an already special community event. With more people than ever before attending our festival,  this great concert allowed us to reach more people with our message of how spectacular an all-riverfront Greenway will be for our community. We are very grateful to Senator Klein for making this all possible. We look forward to supporting and working with the Senator and our community leaders through all the steps we need to take to make the Hudson River Greenway a reality for The Bronx,” said Tracy McCabe Shelton, Executive Director, KRVC.