Western Erie Canal

Cruising The Erie Canal From Lyons

8 August 2017
Categories: Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Western Erie Canal

Cruising the Erie Canal from Lyons

On Saturday August 26 and Sunday, August 27, The Lyons Rotary and the Lyons Erie Canalway Greeters are sponsoring 3 Erie Canal Cruises. Passengers will travel aboard the 48 passenger Seneca Lake Reel Tours tour boat and will depart from the Lyons dock behind the fire Department Building.

On Saturday, narrated tours of 1 ½ hours will leave the dock at 4 and 7 PM. Heading west, passengers will experience 2 locks and have a “from the water view” of the location of the former NYS Canal Corp Port, the original Clinton’s Ditch, the Hotchkiss Essential Oil Peppermint Museum, Dobbin’s Park and the first Mural Mania, the Enlarged Erie aqueduct remains, the NYS Canal Corp Drydock, and the location of the double chambered Lock E 56 and canal store. Passengers will also receive a short instruction on the operation of Locks!

Heading east, passengers will then view the former Chevron Asphalt Barge landing, last used in 1990, view the location of a recently sunken sailboat, and see Creagers’s Bridge from the water. A cash bar, beverages, and munchies will be available. Ticket prices are $20.00 adult and $15.00 child for the 4 PM cruise, and $25.00 per person for the adult 7 PM cruise.

On Sunday, the narrated cruise will leave the dock at 10:00 AM and cruise to Stiver’s Seneca Marine, adjacent to the Crow’s Nest. Passengers will experience 3 canals- the Erie Barge, The Seneca, and the Cayuga- Seneca. They will “lock through” 6 locks, including the double lock in Seneca Falls.

On Sunday, passengers will travel west from Lyons, cruise under Creager’s Bridge, cruise under the lowest bridge on the Western Erie Canal just east of Clyde, cruise through the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, witness Bald Eagle nests, see the world famous Richmond/ Montezuma Aqueduct remains, glide across Van Cleef Lake, view the world famous Trinity Church, and pass under Bailey’s Bridge, featured in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

A cash bar, beverages, and munchies will be available. Cruise will last approximately 4 ½ hours. A continental breakfast and return transportation to Lyons are included in the ticket price of $65.00 per person…. For tickets or information, please contact Rotarian Keith Bridger (315-945-316) or Canalway Greeter Bob Stopper (315-573-1068). Tickets are also available at Dobbins Drug Store and Lyons National Bank in Lyons.

  

Thank You: Robert Stopper  [email protected]       H: 315-946-6224       C: 315-573-1068

Canal Splash

6 August 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Eastern Erie Canal, Western Erie Canal

Canal Splash

Celebrate the history, culture, recreational appeal, and beauty of the New York State Canal System and Erie Canalway Trail during the 10 days of Canal Splash!

Friday, August 11 – Sunday, August 20, 2017

Canal Splash! is a coordinated series of locally organized events and activities, that take place along the Canal System and Canalway Trail, including nature and history walks, museum and gallery exhibits, rowing regattas, kayak and canoe outings, musical performances, boat tours and more.

 

Brockport Arts Festival

Event Location: Main Street Brockport

Event Date: August 12-13th, 2017

Event Time:   10am. – 6pm

Event Cost:   FREE

Event Description: The Brockport Arts Festival is an arts and crafts fair with loads of very talented artisans, a variety of foods, music, wines and beers. It takes place on Main Street in Brockport, a classic Victorian Village by the Erie Canal.

For More Information: http://www.brockportartsfestival.com

 

Lockapalooza

Event Location: Lock 32 Whitewater Park

Event Date:   August 19th, 2017

Event Time: 9:30 am – 8:30 pm.

Event Description: One of the largest Whitewater competitions in Central New York. Watch paddlers from around the region compete in Whitewater Kayaking events.

For More Information: (585) 329-6266 or http://www.lock32.com/lockapalooza.html

 

Palmyra Pirate Weekend

Event Location:   East Main Street Palmyra

Event Date:   August 11th – 12th.

Event Cost:   FREE

Event Description: Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Village and Port of Palmyra during the 10th annual Pirate Weekend Aug. 11th & 12th. Friday night movie at dusk: The Princess Bride. Saturday Bed Racing, 5K, vendors, food, wine tasting, music, parade, Treasure Hunt and Games, Canal Trail tours, Pirate tales and museum tours.

For More Information   (585) 368-8081 or Palmyra Pirate Weekend

 

 

Wayne County Fair

Event Location:   300 W. Jackson St.

Event Date:   August 14th – 19th.

Event Time: Events start at 9 am.

Event Cost: Admission $5 Adults-17and older, $3 youth ages 6-16 ages 5 and under FREE

Event Description: Horse Races, Music, Food and Family Fun.

For More Information: www.waynecountyfair.org

 

Sylvan Beach Canalfest

Event Location: Village Park, Sylvan Beach

Event Date: August 11th-13th.

Event Time: Friday 6pm. – 10 pm. Saturday 9 am. – 9:30 pm. Sunday 9 am.- 7:30 pm

Event Cost: FREE

Event Description: Join us at our annual Canal Fest. Great fun throughout the weekend. Enjoy free entertainment throughout the weekend with crafters, vendors, entertainment in the Village Park. Events include the Waterski Show, and concerts.

For More Information: http://www.sylvanbeachny.com/canal-fest

 

Herkimer County Fair

Event Location: Herkimer County Fair Ground

Event Date: August 15th – 20th.

Event Time: Tuesday 3 pm.-10:30 pm. Wednesday – Friday 9:30 am. – 9:30 pm. Saturday 9:00 am. – 9:30 pm.

Event Cost: Adults $10.00, Children 5 – 12 $3.00 Children under 5 FREE

Event Description: Demolition Derby, Tractor and Truck Pulls, Pageant and Junior Pagaen, Talent Showcase, Horse Show, Live Music and Fireworks.

For More Information: (315) 895-7464 http://www.herkimercountyfair.org

 

River Through Time Festival

Event Location: Haslett Park Fort Plain NY

Event Date: August 12th, 2017

Event Time: 12 noon – 4 pm.

Event Cost: FREE

Event Description: Come for an afternoon of live music, food and fun in Fort Plain.

For More Information: http://mohwakvalleycollective.com/upcoming-events

 

Taste and Tunes

Event Location: Generations Bank, 20 E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls NY 13148

Event Date: August 18th. 2017

Event Time: 6 – 9 pm.

Event Description: In Seneca County alone there are more than 3700 families in need that depend on the Seneca County House of Concern, the Seneca Falls Backpack Program and Trevor’s Gift. These organizations rely on our support as community members and business owners to help them be successful to their cause. On Friday, August 18th. 2017 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 we will be holding the 3rd. Annual Taste & Tunes Festival which features local wineries, breweries, restaurants and musicians to benefit these local charities.

For More Information: (315) 568-1151 http://directory.fingerlakesgateway.com/events/details/taste-time-3585

 

 

Spencerport Heritage Days

11 July 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, History, Western Erie Canal

Spencerport Heritage Day August 19th – 10am-3pm

Take a step back in time! Spencerport Heritage Day is in its third year.  This event is the official August event on the Ogden Bicentennial/Spencerport Sesquicentennial celebrations calendar.   It is a day of celebrating history and looking back at how we used to live and what items looked like in the past.   We have spinning and yarning demonstrations, a variety of displays, historic games and activities to suit people young and old. We will have bands playing all day.  The Golden Eagles String Band will be entertaining us with their Folk songs and Erie Canal songs from 10am-12pm.  From 1pm-3pm, The Crawdiddies, an Americana Band will be performing for us.

All Day Events include:

Displays and Demos

Before and After Photos Spinning and Weaving

Old Tools Ogden Historical Display

Spencerport Fire Pumper

Entertainment 10am-12pm Golden Eagles String Band 1pm-3pm The Crawdiddies

Activities

Historic Games Yarn Doll Making

Toy and Musical Instrument Making

Writing with a Quill Pen

Historic Spencerport Village Walks

Fishing on the Canal FREE ENTRY Snacks and Refreshments on Sale For more info, please call Simon on (585) 352-0942

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“This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts at the Livingston Arts Center, a member supported organization.”

First Ever “Taste of Wayne County” to be held in Newark

29 June 2017
Categories: Western Erie Canal

First Ever “Taste of Wayne County” to Be Held in Newark

The Village of Newark, the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce, and the Wayne County Farm Bureau have joined forces to host the first ever Taste of Wayne County. This exciting outdoor event will be held on Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 from 4:30 to 8:30 PM along VanBuren Street from Main Street to East Avenue, and in the T. Spencer Knight Canal Park.

The Taste of Wayne County was created to showcase vendors, restaurants, and other food and drink related businesses solely from Wayne County through samples of their “signature” dishes, food products, or beverages. This community event will coincide with VoteTilla, a week long navigational celebration that will take place along the Erie Canal from July 17-22, 2017, starting from Seneca Falls and ending in Rochester with a parade and celebration at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. Their stop in Newark will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State with a historical reenactment. Additional entertainment will include music from Frankie and Jewels from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

 

Pre-sale tickets are $10 for 15 samples, or $1 per sample at the door. The first 300 event goers will receive a free “swag bag”. For more information regarding how to participate or attend this event, please contact the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce office at 315-331-2705 or via email: [email protected].

 

 

Palmyra Canal Town Days

27 June 2017
Categories: Western Erie Canal

Don’t miss one of the best of events as summer comes to an end. The 50th annual Palmyra Canal Town Days is once again being held on Sept. 16th from 10am – 6 pm. and on Sunday Sept. 17th. from 10am – 4pm. With vendors of all types, Bands, Pony Rides, Car Show, 5k Run / walk, Civil War Reenactors, Antiques, Grand Parade, Barn Dance sponsored by the Wayne County Fair Association. CanalPoster2017

 

Car show-Saturday at 11am. (rain date Sunday) Grand Parade on Main Street, Saturday at 4pm.

Barn Dance at the Fairgrounds-Saturday at 7pm.

Visit www.palmyracanaltowndays.org

Historic Palmyra’s Pirate Weekend Aug. 11th & 12th!

22 June 2017
Categories: Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

Historic Palmyra’s Pirate Weekend is all set for Friday & Saturday August 11th & 12th. The Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Port of Palmyra Marina and other venues throughout the Village of Palmyra, bearing a boatload of fun for all ages. A full weekend of adventure and action is planned including: FREE Movie in the park on Friday night at Dusk. (Princess Bride…new for this year!!!) On Saturday, a Pirate Regatta Bed Race, Pirate & Kazoo Band Parade, Painted windows along Main St., BIG Vehicles to climb, Chicken BBQ, Canal Boat Rides, Dunking booth, Old time photos, (We’ll let you borrow pirate gear if you don’t have any!) Vendors and Artisans. Puppy Parade, Historic Palmyra Museums and Walking tours, pirate tales, live music, food, and artisan vendors, children’s games, Healthy Living Treasure Hunt’ Jolly Roger 5K race (to benefit Pal-Mac Select Choir!) and much more. Dress Like A Pirate and join the parade!! Don’t forget to bring home some swag from the Pirates Bazaar, a sidewalk sales extravaganza from Palmyra’s Main Street merchants. Pre-Built pirate beds available to borrow for the bed-race-teams of 5, age 16 years and older please. Visit www.eriecanalpirates.com for details and complete schedule of call William Unterborn at (585)368-8081

Palmyra NY Harbor Hosts

22 June 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

Welcome to Palmyra!  That is the message of the Palmyra Harbor Hosts to visitors who tie up at the Port of Palmyra on the Erie Canal. Now in their fifth year , the Harbor Hosts (HH), volunteers from Palmyra and Macedon, have worked with hundreds of visitors from all over the state, the country and the world, answering questions and, frequently, going above and beyond providing needed transportation.

HH have given visitors rides to Walmart for a variety of needs; gone in search of a specific kind of worm to catch a specific kind of fish; to Rite Aid for an Rx refill or to an animal hospital. They have provided directions to the library, a children’s playground, grocery store,  Chill ‘n’ Grill ice cream shop and the laundromat. HH know which restaurants deliver to the marina; the hours of the museums – Palmyra has six. They know what time the adjacent rest rooms open and close and much more. Palmyra HH know just about all there is to know about our small but beautiful and historic village   (200+ properties on the National Register) and they love to share that information with our visitors. The New York State Canal Corporation named the Palmyra Harbor Hosts New York State Canal Ambassadors in recognition of their service to the Village of Palmyra and New York State. We are proud of that.

Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing

18 June 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

200 years ago, the State of New York began construction of the Erie Canal and on August 4th, 2017 under the moonlight Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing will row all night, 363 miles – equivalent to the length of the Erie Canal to fund an inclusive rowing center to serve veterans and people with disabilities.

Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing is a charitable 501c3 committed to collaborating across the entire community to stimulate rowing for all and to remove barriers to the water for Veterans and other people with challenges or disabilities.

Take a look at this Video that RCIR has put together in support of their boat house capital campaign

Beginning with the generosity and collaboration of Pittsford Crew and the Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center, RCIR was able to introduce over 15 veterans from Rochester as well as the greater Utica area to sculling from January through April 2016. In July, the visitors from the Mohawk Valley then invited RCIR to an immersion day of sculling with veterans at Camp Sitrin in New Hartford NY. This activity had spawned a $21,000 grant application to expand the number of sculling shells in 2017 thereby enabling RCIR to offer adaptive sculling week days in the Mohawk Valley region. All of this triggered by the largesse of Pittsford Crew and the PIRC.

RCIR began pursing deeper insights as to why sculling is positively impacting Veterans with PTSD and TBI from a neuro/psychological perspective with rehabilitation specialists at Sitrin in New Hartford, NY and Utica College

In addition to serving Veterans with disabilities in 2016 RCIR expanded the populations of rowers to include youth with various autistic challenges as well as our initial youth the with the challenges of cerebral palsy.

to learn more about the row-a-thon and Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing Click Here

 

 

No Fees For Recreational Boating On The Erie Canal For The 2017 Navigational Season

12 June 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

No Fees For Recreational Boating On The Erie Canal For The 2017 Navigational Season

The Canal is open and in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the Erie Canal, The New York State Canal Corporation has announced that there will be no fees for recreational boaters this season. Now we want to emphasize that the normal fees are quite nominal, ranging from $50 to $100 depending on length of boat for a season’s worth the ability to travel the canal and utilize the systems more than 50 locks dozens of lift bridges and more than 524 miles of navigable waterways.

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Historic Palmyra Announces Events Throughout June

1 June 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Western Erie Canal

As you make your way across the Erie Canal Corridor this June don’t miss a stop at Historic Palmyra.  Through the month of June the museum has a series of events