Enjoy 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!

2019 Corridor-wide Events:

Canal Clean Sweep

April 26-28
multiple sites

Help with canal-wide cleanup and beautification projects. More than 100 projects are on tap.
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Canal Opens for the Season

May 17
corridor-wide

Head to the water for a season of fun!
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Path Through History Weekend

June 15-16, October 12-14
multiple sites

Celebrate New York's incredible history and culture at events held throughout the state.
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Water/Ways Tour

JUNE - JANUARY 2020
MULTIPLE SITES

Discover the vital importance of water in the development of the Empire State at the traveling Smithsonian exhibition.
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Tall Ships

July 4-7
Buffalo

Board the historic tall ships in Buffalo and enjoy four days of family activities, live entertainment, and historical exhibits.
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Cycle the Erie Canal

July 7-14
Buffalo to Albany

Join more than 600 riders of all ages for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour across New York State. 4-day and 2-day options available.
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Featured Community Events

These events will give you reasons to head to the water and to canal communities again and again. In addition to this listing, please visit the NYS Canal Corporation for a complete canal calendar.

Low Bridge, High Water

May 16 - 18   >>   Village of Brockport
Join the 7th annual "Low Bridge, High Water" Festival, a three-day signature event and Village tradition to cheer the opening of the canal to boat traffic. The festival includes canal-inspired art, recreational activities, live music, food and beverages.
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Erie Canal Half Marathon

May 19   >>   Adirondack Bank Center, Utica
Enjoy the beauty of the Erie Canal while running (or cheering) the Erie Canal Half, an event organized by the Boilermaker Road Race. Half marathon, 5K, relay, and kids races available; sign up and earn your Canalway Challenge miles!
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Celebrate - Commemorate Memorial Day

May 23 - 30   >>   Lock 4, Village of Waterloo
Visit historic Waterloo, NY, the official birthplace of Memorial Day and experience Civil War living history along the banks of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Partake in family friendly activities, including concerts, arts & crafts, and plein air art demonstrations.
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Canoe/Kayak Race & Family Recreational Paddle

June 1   >>   Feeder Dam, Queensbury
Grab your canoe or kayak and paddle the almost-200-year-old Glens Falls Feeder Canal. Join the race or enjoy a leisurely paddle with your family along this recreational waterway and earn five miles in your Canalway Challenge.
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Hudson Crossing Triathlon

June 9   >>   Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville
Are you up for the challenge? Athletes of all levels and ages are invited to take part in this sprint distance triathlon in and along the beautiful Champlain Canal. Count your miles toward your Canalway Challenge goal.
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Heritage Weekend

June 14 - 15   >>   Historic Palmyra Museums, Palmyra
Learn more about the Erie Canal's rich heritage by exploring five museums in Palmyra and watching demonstrations of life in the 1820s. This event is part of New York's Path through History Weekend.
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Boat Float Bash

June 15   >>   Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Chittenango
Join us at this Canalway Challenge kickoff event and celebrate everything the Old Erie Canal has to offer. Whether you paddle, bike, or hike, the Boat Float Bash has something for you including music, food, blacksmith demonstrations, and of course the Boat Float! Track up to 9.5 miles for your Canalway Challenge at this event.
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Erie Canal Family Fun Day at Lock 30

June 15   >>   Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30, Macedon
Celebrate Macedon's Erie Canal heritage at Lock 30! This event is fun for all ages, with historic displays, trail and boat tours, live music, and a host of family games and activities.
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Music on the Erie

Fridays 6-8pm, June 28 - August 23   >>   T. Spencer Knight Canal Park, Newark
The Erie Canal is the perfect backdrop for the Music on the Erie concert series. All are invited to come and enjoy free live music every Friday evening this summer.
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Adaptive Paddling Extravaganza!

June 28 - 29   >>   Erie Canal Boat Company, Lockport
Enjoy a free two-day paddling event at the new Erie Canal Boat Company location at Wide Waters Marina in Lockport, NY. Explore and try adaptive and standard equipment options and discover the joy of kayaking on the historic Erie Canal!
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Water/Ways Tour

June 29 - August 11   >>   Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
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Canal Day

July 6   >>   Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Fort Hunter
Schoharie Crossing Canal Day is a lively community festival celebrating the history of the Erie Canal with cycling and kayaking, live music, as well as demonstrations and activities from a variety of vendors. This is a great event for earning Canalway Challenge miles, especially with kids.
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21st Annual Cycle the Erie Canal

July 7 - 14   >>   Buffalo to Albany
Join more than 600 riders of all ages for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour across New York State, an unforgettable way to experience the Erie Canal. 4-day and 2-day options available.
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Erie Canal Night

July 10   >>   Riverlink Park, Amsterdam
Enjoy an evening of entertainment and live music by the Piggly Wigglies overlooking the Mohawk River/Erie Canal.
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15 Miles on the Erie Canal

Thursdays, July 11 - August 8   >>   Montgomery County, multiple locations
Spend your Thursday evenings this summer exploring the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Mohawk Valley by kayak. Participate in all five events and rack up 15 miles for the Canalway Challenge.
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CanalFest at Mabee Farm

July 13   >>   Mabee Farm Historic Site, Rotterdam Junction
Enjoy a day of free family activities that celebrate the Erie Canal! The festivities include live music, animals, boat rides, food and craft beer, and tours of the historic Mabee house.
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Erie Canal Heritage Connection

July 27   >>   Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30, Macedon
Spend the day at Lock 30 exploring and discovering life along the Erie Canal in the 1800s. Entertainment includes interactive presentations, a performance by Fiddlers of the Genesee, and a 19th century fashion show.
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Rome CanalFest

August 2 - 4   >>   Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Join three days of exciting activities celebrating the Erie Canal. The event includes vendors, live music, the 'anything but a boat' race, a water ski show, a fishing contest, and fireworks.
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Albion's 6th Annual Rock-The-Park Festival

August 3   >>   Bullard Park, Albion
Celebrate the Village of Albion's canal town heritage with food, artisans, live music, and canal history learning opportunities.
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32nd Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration

August 5 - 11   >>   City of Little Falls
Celebrate Little Falls heritage with a week of recreational, educational and creative programs for the whole family.
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Canal Fest at Sylvan Beach

August 9 - 11   >>   Lakefront Park, Sylvan Beach
Celebrate the Erie Canal on the shores of Oneida Lake at this exciting family-friendly event. The three day festival includes circus performances, fireworks, a water ski show, and a historical presentation.
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Towpath Day, The Legacy of the Erie Canal

August 10   >>   Camillus Erie Canal Park, Camillus
Celebrate the legacy of the Erie Canal with a day filled with family friendly activities, demonstrations, dance, dramatization and great music that represent the 1800s canal era. Sign up for the Mule Skinner 5K Walk/Run Race and earn Canalway Challenge miles.
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15th Annual Cardboard Boat Race

August 10   >>   Fort Hardy Beach, Schuylerville
Enjoy a fun-filled and exciting day on the shores of the Champlain Canal building and racing a cardboard boat. Or stay dry on shore, cheer on your favorite boats, and enjoy live music and displays.
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Water/Ways Tour

August 17 - September 29   >>   Aurora Masonic Center, Aurora, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
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Tugboat Roundup

September 6 - 8   >>   Waterford Harbor at Lock 2, Waterford
Tugboat Roundup is a three day gathering and celebration of tugboats! The festival includes music, boat rides, vendors, fireworks, and more!
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Kayaking 4 Meso

September 7   >>   Waterford
Enjoy a fun 8-mile paddle through the Waterford Flight and into the Champlain Canal. Proceeds go to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
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Old Timers Fair

September 14   >>   The Cobblestone National Historic Landmark District, Albion
The Cobblestone Museum will come alive with artisan demonstrations and reenactors recreating life in 19th century Orleans County.
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Rome Locktoberfest

October 5   >>   Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Locktoberfest at Bellamy Harbor Park is the destination for music, art, and local CNY food and beverages set alongside the beautiful Erie Canal.
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Water/Ways Tour

October 5 - November 17   >>   Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, Amerherst, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
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Erie Canal Music and Stories

October 12   >>   Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village Museum, Amherst
Celebrate the bicentennial period with tales and music of the Erie Canal performed by Dave Ruch.
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Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon

October 20   >>   Riverview Orchards, Rexford
Run two miles, bike 17 miles, then run another two miles through beautiful fall foliage, then enjoy a barbecue dinner. Participate in the race as an individual or team and track your Canalway Challenge miles, or join the cheering section!
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3rd Annual Erie Canal Run

October 26   >>   Sullivan Parks and Recreation Building, Chittenango
Dress up and hit the Canalway Trail for the Eerie Canal Towpath 15-mile and 5K runs. This scenic run will take you along the towpath of the Old Erie Canal. Don't forget to track your miles for the Canalway Challenge!
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Water/Ways Tour

Novemer 23 - January 5, 2020   >>   Chapman Museum, Glens Falls, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
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