Thanks to Palisades Federal Credit Union, the largest Rockland County based Credit Union, an American Idol style voting system was introduced for the first time in this year’s Rockland County Ice Festival.

In a press release, the organizers of the Ice festival announced that over 25,000 festival-goers attended Rockland County's fifth annual Knickerbocker Ice Festival held at Rockland Lake State Park over the weekend. The event featured a two day ice sculpting competition, fun filled family activities such as igloo building, a walking history tour, a kids' ice park and live music.

For the first time in the annual event’s history, the attendees were introduced to a voting system similar to those used on popular TV shows such as American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. The new voting system allowed the attendees to text in their vote for their favorite ice sculpture. However, just like the previous years, there was also option of traditional style voting using ballot papers.

And the organization that helped introduce this new voting system was Palisades Federal Credit Union. This Pearl River, NY based credit union provided the concept and generously donated the technology for this year's event.

“We are truly grateful to all of the 25,000 attendees, ice sculptors, volunteers and event sponsors whose combined efforts made our 2011 Knickerbocker Ice Festival a complete success. We were delighted to debut our new text voting system and thank Palisades Federal Credit Union for introducing the new system to the event and congratulate Earl Covington, this year's winner,” Festival Coordinator Maria Rodd noted in a statement.

Palisades Federal Credit Union boasts of more than $150 Million in assets. The union provides full service banking products through its 4 branches. It also offers surcharge-free access to over 35,000 ATMs nationwide. Credit Union membership and Credit Union loans are open to anyone who lives, works, studies, or worships in Rockland County, NY.

“We're delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to an event that brings to life the vibrant history, arts and culture of Rockland County. We take our hats off to Maria Rodd and all of the volunteers for once again executing an amazing event,” president and CEO of Palisades Federal Credit Union, Mark Welshoff said in a statement.

Back in 2009, Palisades Federal Credit Union launched E-Deposit. This online banking feature allows members to deposit checks instantly without a hold being placed on their checks.

With E-Deposit, PFCU members can now make check deposits 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service allows members make check deposits from their home computer through PFCU's Online Banking site, in addition to the traditional method of making check deposits at one of our three locations.

Members simply enter the check into the secure online log and the deposit is instantly available. They then mail the check into PFCU for clearing. The credit union even supplies the pre-paid mailing envelopes, it's that easy. Plus, there's no need to purchase any new equipment so the cost to the member to use this service is zero.