Events and Festivals

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Celebrate, Learn, Enjoy!

Hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors celebrate their canal heritage at a variety of canal-related festivals and events each year. Join the fun during this bicentennial year!

2017 Events:

World Canals Conference

September 24-28
Syracuse, NY

Our Vital Waterways: Agents of Transformation; five-day, world class conference and events in Syracuse.
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Lois McClure Legacy Tour

July 5-October 12
Multiple Locations

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s sailing canal boat will visit ports along the Champlain and Erie Canals.
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Erie Canalway Festivals, Events, and Concert Series

Head to the water and to canal communities for these 2017 events! Events listed are sponsored by Erie Canalway NHC in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation.

Lockapalooza 2017

August 19   >>   Lock 32 Whitewater Park, Pittsford
Watch paddlers from around the region compete in whitewater kayaking events including whitewater slalom, boatercross, a playboating rodeo and various skills competitions. Held at the Lock 32 Whitewater Park, built in 1996 using an Erie Canal spillway to create a Class 2-3 paddling facility which offers controllable water levels for more than 100 days a year. Guided tours of the park offered; even…
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Tugboat Roundup

September 8-9   >>   Waterford Harbor at Lock 2
One weekend each year Waterford's historic waterfront is transformed back into a rendering of its commercial heyday with prominent tugboats and demonstrations to educate and promote the New York State Waterways and canal system. Tours of vessels, demonstrations, vendors and entertainment...not to be missed!
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St. Johnsville Fall Celebration of the Erie Canal

September 9   >>   St. Johnsville Marina
Relax and enjoy St. Johnsville at its finest, with over 50 talented artisans, live music, and guided tours of historic Erie Canal Lock 33.
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Summer's End

September 16   >>   Ames Museum, Village of Ames
Usher in the fall season in the bucolic Village of Ames in the Mohawk River Valley with vendors, crafters, and re-enactors sharing their expertise to bring the rich history of this part of the Erie Canalway to life. A 5K race and tours of the museum round out the day.
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Tour the Towpath

September 23-24   >>   DeWitt to Rome
Experience 36 miles of beautiful, off-road trail riding and explore historic communities that were built around the Erie Canal from DeWitt to Rome. Complete the ride in two days with camping or hotel accommodations at the mid-point. Or do the abbreviated one-day version.
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