GOSHEN—On June 13, Orange County Tourism & Film unveiled its fresh new branding, with an eye-catching apple-themed logo, the upbeat slogan, “Pick Orange County”—and a new mascot, “Hudson.”
“Tourism is vital to Orange County, N.Y.’s economy, and Orange County is a terrific tourism destination. The county offers adventure, family fun, farm-fresh goodness, rich history, a thriving craft beverage scene and spectacular views and vistas, all just 50 miles from New York City,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “Our new tourism branding brings a lively dynamic that will reflect these qualities on the county’s tourism website, social media, travel guide, ads, and many other platforms.”
Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film, added, “Our diverse attractions and destinations are among the many reasons to love Orange County, which is why we welcome visitors from New York City and around the region, nation, and world. The new logo, slogan, and mascot make a great introduction for people to see why they should Pick Orange County!”
Travel expert Josiah Brown, known as “The New York Sherpa,” who is a national expert on tourism participated in the unveiling of the new logo in a ceremony at the Orange County Tourism & Film Welcome Center located in Goshen.
The new branding introduces an eye-catching logo that features an illustration of a red apple with “Pick” written on a green leaf and “OCNY” in the body of the iconic fruit. The logo conveys a fun, laid-back atmosphere while maintaining a mature and confident appearance. It calls to mind the many orchards and farms where visitors pick their own apples and other produce, and also entices visitors to Orange County’s traditional bucolic settings, diverse family-friendly activities, arts, and envelope-pushing cultural touchstones, county officials stated.
The spirit of the region is also captured in the new Orange County Tourism tagline: “The Fresh State of Mind.”
The star of the unveiling was the mascot, Hudson, a friendly dog with large blue eyes and an orange “Pick OCNY” bandana. Hudson will help educate visitors about the endless rewards of a visit to Orange County, from discovering a hand-crafted gift in a quaint downtown to visiting some of the state’s most iconic destinations—including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Storm King Art Center, LEGOLAND New York Resort, Resorts World Hudson Valley and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
Tourism is a cornerstone of the county’s economy, attracting $1.1 billion in visitor spending in 2022 while supporting more than 11,000 jobs. That revenue saved Orange County property owners more than $1,000, on average, in annual state and local taxes.
“Tourism is a crucial component of Orange County, N.Y.’s charm and lifestyle,” Neuhaus said. “Visits to our attractions, restaurants, and accommodations create jobs, significantly drive our county’s economic growth, and have helped us lower county taxes to rates not seen since the 1960s.”
The new campaigns will invite visitors to explore Orange County, which for New York City Metropolitan Area residents, is close enough for a day trip and jampacked with enough fun and fascinating activities for a weekend or mid-week stay. Orange County also is accessible via New Jersey Transit’s (Metro-North) Port Jervis Line and regional bus service.
In addition to its year-round and seasonal attractions, Orange County hosts widely renowned annual events such as the Pine Bush UFO Festival, the Great American Weekend in Goshen, the New York Renaissance Faire, and the Warwick Applefest. Orange County Airport is one of six locations across the country where the New York Airshow is held each year.
In keeping with the new slogan, the tourism website’s address is now www.pickocny.org.
