New York Power Authority Celebrates 50 Years of Operation of the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project 

For Immediate Release: 8/31/2023

Contact: Jessica Kirby | Jessica.kirby@nypa.gov | (800) 724-0309

 

New York Power Authority Celebrates 50 Years of Operation of the

Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project

 

NYPA to Commemorate 50^th Anniversary with Community Event

and Drone Show at Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center on

September 9

 

NORTH BLENHEIM—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced that it will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of operations at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project with a free community event on Saturday, September 9, at the Blenheim-Gilboa visitors center between noon and 9 p.m. The Blenheim-Gilboa power project first began generating power on July 5, 1973.

 

The celebration event will host numerous family-friendly activities and attractions, including a disco-themed bounce house, a toddler bounce house, face painting, lawn games, arts and crafts, a photo booth, and inflatable Twister and Hungry Hungry Hippos. Live entertainment will be provided by DJ Patrick M. DelRosario and the Red Wagon band. Additionally, the event will feature food trucks and a vendor marketplace.

 

The 50^th anniversary celebration will culminate with a spectacular drone light show, beginning at 8 p.m. Three hundred synchronized drones will fill the sky creating images that highlight NYPA, Blenheim-Gilboa, Albany, eagles, and New York’s clean energy future.

 

In addition to participating in the games and activities hosted by the Blenheim-Gilboa visitors center, guests are encouraged to take a tour of Historic Lansing Manor and the outdoor recreation surrounding the visitors center complex, including hiking trails, boating and fishing.

 

The Blenheim-Gilboa visitors center is housed in a restored 19^th-century dairy barn and features a wide range of interactive exhibits on such subjects as the basics of electricity, uses of electricity, and the operation of the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. The Blenheim-Gilboa visitors center is open daily, year-round, for guided tours between 10 a.m. and 5.p.m.

 

The complex is located at 1378 State Route 30 in North Blenheim, 17 miles south of Middleburgh and five miles north of Grand Gorge, about one hour from Albany.

 

Admission to the visitors center, and events, is always free. School groups, community organizations and coach operators are welcome. For further information and a complete calendar of events, please call 1-800-724-0309 or visit on the web at www.nypa.gov.

 

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.