New York Bridge About To Celebrate 90 Years

If you live or spend any time in the Hudson Valley, you can't avoid crossing a bridge on a regular basis. The Hudson River divides many popular towns and entertainment destinations, not to mention places people travel to for work.

Rip Van Winkle Bridge Celebrates 90 Years of Use

Whether you cross one of the Hudson Valley bridges to get to work every day or you just find yourself going back and forth for friends and entertainment, there is a good chance that, unless you live in Hudson or Catskill, you haven't crossed the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in a while.

Get our free mobile app

I bring this up because I saw on Friday that the Rip Van Winkle Bridge is preparing to celebrate its 90th anniversary on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The New York State Bridge Authority is getting the word out through its website and social media.

The Rip Van Winkle Bridge may not be the oldest of the Hudson River Bridges. It also may not be the longest, largest, or busiest, but one thing is for sure: it could definitely be the prettiest. The area where it crosses the Hudson River is one of the Hudson Valley's most iconic views.

The Rip Van Winkle Bridge and its accompanying Skywalk are in a part of the Hudson Valley that inspired Frederic Church and Thomas Cole. Olana Frederic Church's home can be seen as you make your way east over the bridge. No surprise that with the Art history of the area, the Skywalk has become the home of an annual art festival.

The NYS Bridge Authority announced earlier this year that they will be celebrating the 9th Annual Skywalk Arts Festival and the 90th Anniversary of the Rip Van Winkle becoming a motorway for cars on the same day.

On September 20th, cars, trucks, and motorcycles are invited to be part of a 90th Anniversary Motorcade that will be similar to what was put together for the 100th Anniversary of the Bear Mountain Bridge last year. If you have a vehicle from 1935 through 2025, they are hoping you will join them for the bridge crossing.

To be part of the motorcade or to find out more about the Skywalk Arts Festival, or to just find out how to be an event spectator, click here.