Bizarre Foods host in Lyons as part of a Travel Channel show focusing on Canal History

Andrew Zimmern co-creator and host of the Travel Channel’s show “Bizarre Foods” stopped by Lyons NY recently as part of a two-week trip around Wayne County as they film segments for an episode of Bizarre Foods around the Erie Canal. When Bill Sweitzer from the NYS Canal Corporation was asked by the producers of the show where to visit, the first name and town that came to mind was Bob Stopper and Lyons NY.

Stopper said, “show producers were in the county for parts of two weeks taping and photographing Wayne County canal scenes for the show which is expected to air in September”. They were also spotted at several other Canal locations during their time in upstate NY.  

On a sunny but chilly day in May, Zimmern himself was in Lyons, taking a canal packet boat ride from the dry docks off Route 31 and up to Newark and back. High waters fed by endless rains spiked plans to have Zimmern take a canal boat from the Old Richmond Aqueduct at Montezuma in Cayuga County west to Lyons. Instead he arrived by mini-van at the dry docks, where he boarded a canal boat provided by Mid-Lakes Navigation piloted by Peter Wiles Jr. and his sister Sara Wiles.

Later after another ride on a Canal Corp vessel, going east to Lock 27 in downtown Lyons, Zimmern stopped for a hot dog at the nearby Caboose Hot Dog Stand. Later he enjoyed a chicken barbeque hosted by the Lyons Fire Dept.

“He was one of the most personable people you’d ever want to meet” said Stopper. “It was just so interesting to talk with him”

At the Caboose, Zimmern homed in on a white hot dog, after his host explained the differences between whites and reds (whites have more pork). Zimmern ate his hot sauce, mustard and some sauerkraut. Stopper reported that he loved it.

After dining with guests and fire department members, Zimmern was presented with a vial of peppermint oil, courtesy of Dobbins Drugs. Lyons, as many know, was at one time the peppermint capital of the world. Zimmern told folks on hand that it still holds the title and should celebrate its history. Stopper said, “he was excited to see the episode”. He and other members of the local Erie Canal Greeters group will get a sneak peek prior to its Travel Channel premier.

He thinks the show will be a great boost to Lyons and the county tourism effort.

“The whole thing was wonderful,” said Stopper, who noted that the show’s production team was very friendly and willing to take suggestions. “It was an experience of a lifetime.”

                                                                                         

Andrew Zimmern

Andrew Zimmern is a writer, TV personality, chef, and teacher. A New York City native, he began his formal culinary training at the age of 14, apprenticing with some of the greatest chefs in the world. As the co-creator, host and contributing producer of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Andrew travels the world, tasting the most unique, traditional fare he can find. From restaurants to jungle markets, it’s all about discovering the authentic, immersive experience.

 

 

Lyons NY reports in on the first boat to dock in the community this year

Captain William B. Everitt stands aboard On Purpose at the dock in Lyons on Thursday evening, May 18th.  William was moving On Purpose from South Florida to the Cosmos Yacht Charters Enterprises located in Georgian Bay. 

The Underground Railroad, Wayne County NY and the Erie Canal

New Underground Railroad History Book Now Available

 

There is a direct connection between the Underground Railroad and the Canals of New York. Many African Americans used the Canals as routes for escaping from Slavery. The canals gave some the pathway to Freedom, many others settled in canal towns throughout the Canal Corridor. Safe houses existed in many communities and a new book has just been released about the Underground Railroad and the importance that Wayne County played at that time in history.

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Canal Clean Sweep Lyons NY

Each year prior to the opening of the Erie Canal for the Navigation Season communities around the Canal Corridor celebrate the canal by planning a weekend of events that focus on the cleaning up or improving the areas around the Canal.

2017 begins the celebration of the 200th year of the canal and with the Navigation Season here Lyon’s is ready to welcome visitors to their community.

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Corning Glass Museum Glass Barge

The Corning Glass Museum Glass Barge is coming to the Erie Canal. The museum has taken their mobile hot shops across the globe. This all-new world class performance venue brings floating Hot Glass Demos to the Museum’s New York State neighbors along the Erie Canal and its connected waterways.

In 2017, the Glass Barge will be featured at three public waterfront events on the Erie Canal to help celebrate the kickoff of the canal’s bicentennial. The Corning Glass Museums, Hot Glass Demo Team will be providing free public hot glass programming including daily glassmaking demonstrations with invited guest artists.

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Historic Palmyra

Located in the village of Palmyra located at mile marker 253 on the Erie Canal, Historic Palmyra is a must see on any trip within the Erie Canal Corridor. With 5 museums within easy walking distance from Palmyra’s Marina, Palmyra has been a vital community throughout the history of the Erie Canal, and is as important today as it was 200 years ago.

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Lyons NY Celebrates Bicentennial Of Erie Canal With Season Long List Of Events

Lyon’s is once again at the top of the list when it comes to Erie Canal Communities. As the bi-centennial of the construction of the Erie Canal begins in 2017, Lyons has become the first community to develop an overall schedule of events for the coming season.

Beginning in April, Lyons has brought together both governmental and community organizations to stage events in conjunction with the community’s connection to the Erie Canal  

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2017 Navigation Schedule on the Erie Canal

The NYS Canal Corporation has just released the schedule for the 2017 Navigation Season.

 

Mariners are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. for the 2017 navigation season.

Additionally, in commemoration of the bicentennial of the start of Erie Canal construction in 1817, there will be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal System in 2017.

The hours of operation for the 2017 season are as follows:

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A Drive Through Wayne County NY

A Drive Through Wayne County NY

New York’s Great Lake and Canal Getaway

 

Day 1 – Palmyra, Macedon

                Visit some of the amazing Palmyra Museum’s

                Alling Coverlet Museum, Largest collection of hand-woven coverlets in America

                Erie Canal Depot, Experience an old passenger and commercial depot

                William Phelps General Store Museum ,A 19th century original general store with original items

                And home.

                Grandin Building. Historic site of publication of Book of Mormon, Restored building includes

                Authentic 1830’s bookstore, bindery and print shop.

                Have lunch at Muddy Waters Cafe at the Palmyra Marina

                Check in to Palmyra Inn, Liberty House Bed & Breakfast or Canal Town Bed & Breakfast.

                Stroll through the Village of Palmyra and visit some of the great antique and specialty shops.

                Try some wine at J D Wine Cellars located in Macedon

                Dinner at Flaherty’s in Macedon which offers first hand Old Irish charm and hospitality

                Return to your overnight accommodations

 

Day 2 – Palmyra – Newark

                Take a walk on Palmyra Wetland Nature Trail, Located on Maple Avenue, ¼ mile north of the

                “four church” corner in the center of the Village of Palmyra. This one mike hike is rich in both

                Natural and historical interest with easy access to Aqueduct Park, Aldrich Change Bridge and

                Lock 29. Wetlands were formed in the excavations of the original Erie Canal.

                Follow the Erie Canal to Newark

                Take a tour of the Hoffman Clock Museum, which houses the largest collection of New York

                State Clocks in the country.

                Have lunch at the Corner Tavern

                Check into the Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast or the Quality Inn located in Newark or the

                Peppermint Cottage Bed & Breakfast in Lyons.

                Follow Mural Mania’s mural trail along the Erie Canal into Lyons

                Don’t miss visiting the Wayne County Old Jail Museum Built in 1856, the former Wayne County

                Jail and Sheriff’s residence was housed here and used until 1961. Tour the 24 cell blocks still

                Attached and learn the stories of the inmates.

                Have dinner in Lyons at Bone Appetit BBQ or Growler’s Pub & Grill.

                Return to your overnight accommodations.

 

Day 3 – Clyde – Savannah

                Drive east to Clyde and have lunch at The Brick Oven of Clyde

                Follow Route 31 into Savannah

                Visit the Montezuma Audubon Center, located on its 198 acre are five types of habitat, two

                Restored freshwater marshes, two-miles and trails, and an all-access observation platform.

 

Contact Christine Worth, Director of Tourism. [email protected]   Wayne County Tourism 9 Pearl St. Suite 3 Lyons NY 14489

www.waynecountytourism.com   (800) 527-6510  

               

Boating on the Erie Canal

Whether you’re in a kayak, 50’ cruiser or anything in-between you will find a unique boating experience on the Erie Canal. With 55 locks, 16 lift bridges, more than 60 communities all on the 524 miles of navigable waterway that make up the Erie Canal System. A boat trip on the Erie is something you won’t soon forget. Whether you plan your trip to last a day, week or month the Erie will not disappoint.

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