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Enjoy Events and Festivals

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Celebrate, Learn, Enjoy!

Find exciting events all year long to celebrate canal heritage, arts, music, and the beauty and bounty of the Canalway Corridor.

Path Through History Weekend

June 17 - June 19
Statewide

Explore the fascinating history and incredible events that shaped the Empire State.
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Cycle the Erie Canal

July 9 - 16, 2023
Buffalo to Albany

More than 750 riders of all ages cycle from Buffalo to Albany for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour.
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Featured Community Events

Annual events include recreational activities, tours, concerts, and heritage celebrations.

Fairport Canal Days

June 2 - 4   >>   Main Street and Canalfront
One of the most popular arts festivals in New York State, Fairport Canal Days sets sail June 5th and 6th. Join us and enjoy local artisans, many fine food vendors, and great live music. It's family friendly, fantastic fun.
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Champlain Canalway Trail (CCT) Family Bicycle Celebration

June 3   >>   Champlain Canalway Trail Head, Mullen Park, Fort Edward
Take a guided bike ride along the Champlain Canalway Trail from Fort Edward to Fort Ann to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal. Children ages 4 to 12 can participate in a bike safety rodeo to test their skills and be fitted with a new helmet if needed.
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Living History Along the Erie Canal

June 5 & 6   >>   Lock 30, Macedon
Tall tales and canal sing-and-act along performances make the history of the Erie Canal come alive. With audience participation, discover what life was like along the canal in its heyday and how this transformational waterway impacted the nation, state, and Macedon region.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Schenectady

June 8   >>   Druthers Brewing Company, Schenectady
Join the Schenectady County Historical Society and the Erie Canal Museum for a 90-minute cycling tour along the Mohawk River and through Schenectady looking at the city’s Erie Canal and brewing history. The ride begins and ends at Druthers Brewing Company, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride.
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Rock the Locks

June 9   >>   Canal Street, Lockport
Enjoy a fun, music-filled night with food, drinks, and a variety of vendors. 5pm - 8pm
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Low Bridge, High Water

June 10   >>   Village of Brockport
Celebrate the opening of canal season and the Village of Brockport's bicentennial as the western terminus of the Erie Canal in 1823. This signature festival features water and land-based activities, student artwork, musical performance of classic Erie Canal songs, vendors, kayaking, and a bike rodeo.
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River Rock Music Fest

June 10   >>   Lauravulle Landing, Clyde
Hear local musicians playing a variety of music from jazz to Christian to classic rock and enjoy games, vendors, food, bounce houses, corn hole and more; 11am - 8pm. The park is accessible by kayak, bike, and boat. Stay for the day or camp at Lauraville Loop primitive camp sites.
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Rock the Locks

June 16   >>   Canal Street, Lockport
Enjoy a fun, music-filled night with food, drinks, and a varity of vendors. 5pm - 8pm.
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Music on the Erie

Friday Nights, June 16 - August 25   >>   T. Spencer Knight Canal Park, Newark
Come by boat, bicycle, car, or on foot for free concerts on the Erie Canal every Friday evening through August 25.
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NAACP Rome Juneteenth Celebration

June 16 - 18   >>   Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in America during this 3-day event set alongside the Erie Canal. Learn how the Erie Canal played a role in the Underground Railroad and the history of those in Rome who helped enslaved people.
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Wine, Craft Beverage & Artisans Festival

June 16   >>   T. Spencer Knight Park, Newark
Kick off the Muic on the Erie concert series with a tasting tent featuring local wine, beer, spirits, and hard cider makers (paid admission). Outside the tent, browse through arts, crafts, and food vendors with live music (free).
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The Old Erie Canal Boat Float

June 17   >>   Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Chittenango
Join hundreds of paddlers to celebrate the Old Erie Canal. Start from one of four locations and paddle up to 9.5 miles. Enjoy live music, food trucks, Erie Canal Brewing Company craft beers, demonstrations, and exhibits after the paddle. Count your miles toward the Canalway Challenge.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Oswego

June 22   >>   H. Lee White Maritime Museum, Oswego
Take a 6-mile guided ride from the museum along the Oswego Canal with stops at Fort Ontario, three locks, and the Oswego Harbor.
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Rock the Locks

June 23   >>   Canal Street, Lockport
Enjoy a fun, music-filled night with food, drinks, and a varity of vendors. 5pm - 8pm.
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Summerfest - Celebrating the Erie Canal's Impact

June 26   >>   The Beltrone Living Center, Albany
Celebrate the history of the Erie Canal with live music, demononstrations, and history talks and hear about the recreational opportunities it offers for active seniors.
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Day of Play

July 1   >>   Veterans Canal Park, Amherst
Bring the family for an afternoon of fun with live music, DJ, dance contests, games, sing-alongs, lawn games, food trucks, and ice cream. Kester Alpaca Farm will offer guests the opportunity for “Alpaca Trekking” on the Canalway Trail, or take a guided slow roll bike ride, or watch SCUBA demonstrations from the Amherst Police Department; 12-4pm.
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15 PD (Pretty Darn) Good Miles on the Erie Canal

Weekly, July 1 - September 15   >>   Erie Canal Boat Company, Fairport
Rochester Accessible Adventures invites people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and other disabilities to complete 15 social miles of kayaking, walking, or cycling on the Canalway Trail or NYS Canalway Water Trail in the company of a caregiver, friend, family member, or an RAA CanalPal Volunteer. 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile markers will indicate where participants can turn around. All miles count toward th…
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Albany Symphony Freedom Road

July 2   >>   Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady
Join the Albany Symphony for a free outdoor performance that explores Black American history and culture. Hear world premieres, newly commissioned works, arrangements inspired by great pop music from Black Americans, summer concert pop favorites and more.
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Albany Symphony Freedom Road

July 3   >>   Riverlink Park, Amsterdam
Join the Albany Symphony for a free outdoor performance that explores Black American history and culture. Hear world premieres, newly commissioned works, arrangements inspired by great pop music from Black Americans, summer concert pop favorites and more.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Albany

July 6   >>   Albany Pump Station, Albany
Cycle through Albany for an inside look at the city’s Erie Canal and brewing history. The ride begins and ends at C.H. Evans Brewing Company, where you will be treated to a beer and a brief history of the brewery (must be 21 and show ID).
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Wednesday at the Weighlock

July 12   >>   Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse
Gather at the Erie Canal Museum for a public open house, guided museum tours, blacksmithing demonstrations, and happy hour featuring an educational concert by noted Erie Canal musician and historian Dave Ruch.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Syracuse

July 13   >>   Erie Canal Museum
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Talking Cursive Brewing Company for a 90-minute cycling tour through Syracuse looking at its unique brewing and Canal history, including Greenway’s Brewing, which once occupied the same site as Talking Cursive today! The ride begins at the Erie Canal Museum and ends at Talking Cursive, right down the street, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride.
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Champlain Canal History Tour & Paddle

July 14   >>   Whitehall to Comstock and back
Celebrate the Champlain Canal's Bicentennial with a tour of the Skenesborough Museum & Visitor Center and Skene Manor followed by a 6-mile guided paddle from Comstock's Lock C11 to Whitehall.
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Lyons Peppermint Days

July 14 - 16   >>   Church Street, Lyons
The home of peppermint oil, this small hometown festival in Lyons has been growing each year and features vendors, food, a parade and a huge firework show on Saturday evening.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Canastota

July 20   >>   Canastota Canal Town Museum, Canastota
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Canastota Canal Town Museum for a 90 minute, 4-mile ride from Canastota to Wampsville. The journey back will follow the Oneida Rail Trail, and end at Erie Canalway Brewery for a pint.
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TRAID on the Trails

July 21   >>   Onondaga Park/Syracuse Creekwalk
Try out adaptive cycles, participate in the Canalway Challenge, and connect with others in the inclusive recreation community. A pop up adaptive sport/recreation session in conjunction with Syracuse Parks paves the way for the main TRAID on the Trails day, a festival style inclusive recreation celebration with live music, adaptive equipment, and more.
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Oswego Harborfest

July 27 - 30   >>   Oswego Harbor
Celebrating it's 34th year, this four-day festival features over 30 bands, fireworks, children's parade, food and craft vendors, and wine tasting.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barge: Schuylerville

July 27   >>   Bound by Fate Brewing Company, Schuylerville
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Hudson Crossing Park for a guided 90-minute, 4-mile ride along the Champlain Canal and Hudson River, ending at Bound by Fate Brewing.
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Touch A Truck

July 30   >>   Canalside, Buffalo
Kids love Touch a Truck with 50+ vehicles to explore. Learn all about Buffalo's Waterfront and enjoy the Erie Canal at this family-friendly event.
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Riverfest Sponsored by Sticker Mule

August 5   >>   Riverlink Park, Amsterdam
Enjoy free live music, 75 vendors, kids’ activities, and a giant firework show over the Mohawk River/Erie Canal. 
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36th Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration

August 9 - 13   >>   Multiple Locations, City of Little Falls
Discover all things canal in the charming community of Little Falls. Choose from a variety of activities that showcase recreation, historic landmarks, geological wonders, heritage, attractions, and businesses.
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Port Byron

August 10   >>   Lunkenheimer Brewing, Port Byron
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Canal Society of New York for a guided 90-minute historic cycling tour of the Erie Canal ending at Lunkenheimer Brewing for a beer. The highlights of the tour include the Samuel Center, Port Byron Heritage Park, and the Centerport Aqueduct.
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17th Annual Cardboard Boat Races: Magical History Tour

August 12   >>   Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville
For 200 years the Champlain Canal has been a source of out-of-the-box thinking, and now it's your turn to make history! Will your boat have what it takes to stay afloat? Join the fun or watch from the shore, the Cardboard Boat Races are not to be missed!
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Wayne County Bicentennial Family Fun Day

August 19   >>   Wayne County Fairgrounds, Palmyra
Experience life on the Erie Canal in it's heyday as you meet historical figures from Wayne County’s past, talk to a canawler, hear from a Civil War doctor, and shake hands with a Revolutionary War hero. See demonstrations of heritage crafts, hear the music of bygone times, help paint a community mural or try your hand at weaving!
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Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Spencerport

August 24   >>   Arrowhead Marina and Golf Course, Spencerport
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Arrowhead Marina and Golf Course for a 90-minute cycling tour of Spencerport, with a stop at the lift bridge in Adams Basin. Learn about industries in the area and the stories of the people that lived here. Beginning and ending at the golf course, Rohrbach Brewing Co. will be present to serve their brews at the end of the ride.
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Color Wayne

September 2   >>   Erie Shore Landing, Newark
Friends and families are invited to wear white and travel the 2-mile course along the Erie Canal path and return covered by a rainbow of colors. Benefits the Arc of Wayne Foundation.
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Macedon Heritage Festival on the Erie

September 2   >>   Lock 30, Macedon
Celebrate the Town of Macedon and Wayne County's Bicentennial with live music, a children’s fun zone, food trucks, horse and wagon rides, craft vendors, European Fife and Drum Corps performance, and a grand firework display.
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Tugboat Roundup

September 8 - 10   >>   Port of Waterford
Head to the waterfront to celebrate New York’s canals and maritime community heritage. The festival features a tug parade, tug tours, boat rides, tug talks, live music, a kayaking event, 5k, competitions, fireworks, children's activities, vendors, food, and more.
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Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival

September 9   >>   Canal Place, Little Falls
Join the area’s best garlic growers, produce vendors, fine artisans, food product producers, and herbs and flower vendors for festival cuisine, live entertainment, family activities and more.
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Newark Rotary Family Festival

September 9   >>   Fireman's Field, Newark
Enjoy music, kids games, a craft fair, food vendors, and a silent auction. This fun and free family event is welcome to people of all ages.
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Roc the River Ride

September 16   >>   Genesee Valley Park, Rochester
Explore Rochester’s history and natural beauty on a bicycle ride along the scenic Erie Canalway and Genesee Riverway Trails. Experienced riders will guide cyclists to five stops that showcase local art, history, and culture. 10-mile and 3-mile options available. Riders ages 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult; those under age 8 can participate in a bicycle rodeo. Rain date: September 23.
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TRAID on the Trails

September 16   >>   Syracuse Inner Harbor Creekwalk
Try out adaptive cycles, participate in the Canalway Challenge, and connect with others in the inclusive recreation community. A pop up adaptive sport/recreation session in conjunction with Syracuse Parks paves the way for the main TRAID on the Trails day, a festival style inclusive recreation celebration with live music, adaptive equipment, and more.
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Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC) Whiskey Plank Ceremony

September 16   >>   Longshed at Canalside, Buffalo
Join the Buffalo Maritime Center as they place the final wooden plank (known as the "whiskey plank") in the hull of the Seneca Chief, a replica of the canal boat that traveled from Buffalo to New York City and back to celebrate the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal. Live music, food, and beverages accompany the ceremony.
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22nd Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival/Explore Our Canal Corridor

September 16
The largest gathering of "all things Celtic" will offer a shuttle ride from the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival to Lockport and discover the Erie Canal.
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Fairport Reimagine the Canal Plein Air Festival

September 30   >>   Village of Fairport
Fairport welcomes local and regional artists to spend the morning painting along the historic waterway and throughout the Village. Art lovers will be able to observe the artists as they paint en plein air (outdoors). A public reception, exhibition, and sale of the art will take place in the afternoon.
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Lockport Locktoberfest

September 30   >>   Canal Street, Lockport
Celebrate the Erie Canal and the community of Lockport that was built on its banks during this festival of food and artisan markets, demonstrations, special partner events, and exclusive dining options. Activities include the Flight of Five Locks demonstration, Locks District tours, and more.
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Locktoberfest Phoenix

September 30   >>   State Street, Phoenix
Enjoy six bands on two stages; plus 75 vendors, crafters, and food trucks; pony rides; children's games; and a large fireworks display to celebrate the NYS Canal System and the arts. Winner of the 2019 SAMMY People's Choice Award for Best Music Festival.
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Locktoberfest Rome

October 7   >>   Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Head to the waterfront to enjoy live music, an artisan craft fair, arts and activities for children as well as local craft beer.
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Little Falls Cheese Festival

October 7   >>   Main Street, Little Falls
Savor the only cheese-themed food festival in NYS, with artisan and farmstead cheeses, gourmet foods, craft beverages, live entertainment and a food truck food court.
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Champlain Canal Bicentennial Concert

October 8   >>   Corning Preserve, Albany
Commemorate the bicentennial of the Champlain Canal with a free public concert by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony will present the "The Grand March," written in 1823 for the opening of the Champlain Canal, along with other canal-related and contemporary pieces.
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Locktoberfest Fort Edward

October 14   >>   Canal Street Marketplace, Fort Edward
Celebrate the autumn harvest and the Champlain Canal Bicentennial on the grounds of the Canal Street Marketplace, a renovated nineteenth century canal barn. The festival features regional farm and artisan products, educational booths, fabulous food, free horse and wagon rides, a local beer tasting tent, and live music.
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Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon

October 15   >>   Riverview Orchards, Rexford
Run two miles, bike 17 miles, then run another 2 miles through beautiful fall foliage, and conclude with a barbeque dinner. Participate as an individual or team and track your Canalway Challenge miles, or join the cheering section!
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Choirs on the Canal

October 21   >>   Canal Street, Canastota
Retrace the steps of 104 abolitionists who escaped an angry mob in Utica in 1835, embarked on an Erie Canal lumber barge to Canastota, and climbed the trail to Peterboro where they formed the New York State Anti-Slavery Society. Multiple choirs sing songs of freedom to launch the 2nd Abolitionist Freedom Walk.
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#CapitalWalls: Mural Bike Tours

September & October   >>   Downtown Albany
Take a 2-hour guided bike tour to explore the #CapitalWalls murals and the Empire State Trail. Tours include a mural map, guest artist talks, local food to go and more. Choose from four tour dates ($5 deposit requested).
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