Backpacker, New York City Parks & Recreation to Bring Gear Expo to Union Square Park
--Top retailers and experts from the outdoor industry to set up camp for the NYC event, sponsored by Subaru and Eastern Mountain Sports--
NEW YORK, NY, May 10, 2005 - Backpacker magazine, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, will turn Manhattan's Union Square Park (17th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue) into an urban adventure basecamp when they present The Backpacker Gear Expo, a day-long celebration of the outdoors, on Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Gear Expo, sponsored by Subaru and Eastern Mountain Sports, will showcase the newest and most innovative outdoor gear on the market, along with a host of adventure seminars, skills clinics, rock climbing and much more.
"Backpacker is pleased to bring The Gear Expo - the first part of our Adventures NYC program - to the Big Apple," said Eric Zinczenko, Publisher of Backpacker. "In tremendous partnership with the New York City Parks Department, and with contributions from our generous sponsors, Subaru and Eastern Mountain Sports, as well as all the participating exhibitors, we look forward to promoting an outdoor lifestyle and encouraging more New Yorkers to take advantage of the wonderful outdoor opportunities that exist right outside their doorstep."
Timmy O'Neill, one of the world's fastest climbers, will serve as the MC for the Gear Expo. O'Neill is a lifelong climbing and hiking enthusiast, having explored and climbed some of the world's greatest mountain ranges from Pakistan to Patagonia. He is known as America's Urban Ape, where his climbing antics on buildings and other inanimate objects are featured in the film Urban Apes as well as on the new Discover Channel series Urban Explorers.
Gear Expo presentations and interactive seminars will include:
Overnight 101: The Basics of Camping, Hiking and The Great Outdoors
# Backpacker presents a seminar full of necessary and reliable information on dayhiking, camping, gear, meal planning and much more.
GPS Navigation 101
# Learn the ins and outs of GPS technology from the experts at Backpacker, the world's first GPS-enabled magazine. Hosted by Jon Dorn, Editor-in-Chief of Backpacker.
Backcountry Cooking
# Get the latest tips on how to create a fast and easy gourmet meal on the trail from Backpacker Contributing Editor Kristin Hostetter, who will use Pump Energy Foods to prepare Chewy-Crunchy Cinnamon Chips, Spicy Thai Peanut Butter Pasta with Chicken, and Brownie Pudding.
Get Fit for Adventure
# Look lean, be strong and get fit for adventure with tips from our fitness gurus. Hosted by Backpacker editors Peter Flax and Michelle Hamilton, in conjunction with Eric Von Frohlich, Founder of Roadfit.com.
In addition to the seminars, the Backpacker Gear Expo will present the following exhibitor product and information booths:
Subaru's "Great Gear Giveaway" Subaru vehicles will be stocked full of adventure gear, and attendees will have a chance to win the many gear packages at the event.
Raise the Roof and Rock Climb with Eastern Mountain Sports Try rock climbing on Eastern Mountain Sports' portable climbing wall. All equipment will be provided, including shoes, ropes and a changing station. Then re-live your "ascent" by watching on EMS' video playback machines.
Get Involved With New York City Parks! Find out about National Trails Day events on June 4, 2005 and learn how to get involved with the Partnership for Parks, Urban Park Rangers and the Natural Resources Group.
Tamron Photography Clinics Stop by for short seminars on taking better nature/action photos with Tamron's lightweight, high quality lenses.
Buji Block Stop by to learn more about Buji Block - a dual-acting SPF 15 sunscreen and poison ivy-oak barrier cream and Buji Wash - a cleanser that removes poison ivy, oak and sumac oils to relieve itching and redness.
Salomon Check out the coolest apparel, footwear, packs and bags for adventure sports created by this leading innovator in the industry.
RoadFit.com Learn how to turn the outdoors into your own personal gym with this unique fitness organization.
Pump Energy Foods Food that tastes great, feels great, and makes you look great.
New York Adventure Racing Association Find out more about local adventure races and sign up to compete.
Milliken & Terramar Check out the newest line of high tech apparel that offers the latest technology to keep you dry, warm and comfortable under the most extreme conditions.
Leave No Trace Find out about how to enjoy and preserve our natural resources with this non-profit group.
Additionally, NYC 2012 will host a booth featuring information and a countdown to the July 6, 2005 decision by the IOC to choose the Host City for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Following the Gear Expo, Adventures NYC will continue on Saturday, June 4, 2005 with a five-borough park clean-up initiative, honoring National Trails Day, America's largest celebration of the outdoors. Adventures NYC will support National Trails Day throughout all of New York City's boroughs with park clean-ups, including tree planting, habitat restoration, and trail maintenance. The following parks will participate in the event: Highbridge Park (Manhattan); Pelham Bay Park (Bronx); Alley Pond Park and Forest Park (Queens), Marine Park (Brooklyn), and Greenbelt/High Rock Park (Staten Island).
In addition to the park clean-up and conservation effort on June 4, Adventures NYC will also play host to a number of interactive adventure activities for all ages and fitness levels including:
# Fitness and conditioning classes for the outdoors with RoadFit.com Personal Trainer in the East Meadow of Central Park
# Backcountry culinary workshops with Backpacker in the East Meadow of Central Park
# Rock climbing and bouldering clinics with the nation's most elite climbers in the East Meadow of Central Park
# Kayaking clinics with Eastern Mountain Sports' instructors in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx and the Lake at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park
# Bicycle rentals and a bike tour around Central Park and Highbridge Park
# A 10K Adventure Race hosted by the New York Adventure Racing Association at Willowbrook Park in Staten Island
# Elite climbers competing for cash prizes in the first-ever climbing competition in the East Meadow of Central Park, hosted by USA Climbing
Adventures NYC will culminate with the Under the Stars camp-out in the aforementioned parks, and on the Great Hill in Central Park. Camping spots in Central Park will be given to New York City children involved in the Big City Mountaineers program. Big City Mountaineers is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides significant mentoring during wilderness trips for urban teens participating in existing youth development programs. During Under the Stars, campers will have an opportunity to set up their own tents and have a safe and fun camping experience in the heart of New York City.
For more information on The Gear Expo and Adventures NYC, please visit www.backpacker.com/adventuresnyc/.
###
Contact:
Chris Brienza
212-808-1358
Mary Jane Orman
212-573-0351