FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2007
NYS CANAL CORPORATION
ANNOUNCES 2007 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
More Than 150 Festivals, Events and Attractions to Showcase Canal Communities
The New York State Canal Corporation today released its 2007 Calendar of Events, a comprehensive listing of fun, family-friendly festivals, events and attractions along the 524-mile Canal System.
Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello, said, “Connecting to nearly 300 upstate communities, the Canal System is a world-class tourism destination that offers the perfect combination of land and water-based recreational sites, museums and seasonal events that appeal to families, outdoor enthusiasts, and history buffs alike. With more than 150 events and festivals planned throughout the Corridor, the Canal System is the place to be all season long in New York State.”
The Canal Corporation, in partnership with Parks & Trails NY, will kick off the season in late April with the second annual Canal Clean Sweep, a coordinated series of cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal and the Canalway Trail. Perennial favorites such as the Waterford Canal Fest (May 12), Medina Jazz Festival (May 20), Fairport Canal Days (June 1-3), Lock 7-12 Canalfest (July 14-15), CanalFest of the Tonawandas (July 15-22), Harborfest in Oswego (July 26-29), the Waterford Tugboat Roundup (September 7-9) and the annual Pull the Plug Regatta ( November 4) return once again, as well as many new favorites.
New this year, the Lois McClure, a full-scale working replica of an 1862 sailing class canal schooner, will embark on a Grand Canal Journey July 2-September 24, traveling 1,000 miles and visiting 25 ports-of-call throughout the Canal System. At each stop, tours of the schooner, interpretive presentations, wayside exhibits, and educational materials will be provided free to the public. The journey is made possible by a partnership between the Canal Corporation, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Corporate sponsors include: Cabot Creameries, McCadam Cheese, and Brookfield Power.
In addition, the annual Erie Canalway Trail Celebration will be held Saturday, June 2 in conjunction with National Trails Day. With more than 250 miles of Trail completed, and access to hundreds of historic sites and attractions, the Erie Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation’s premier cycling destinations.
The Canal Corporation is once again partnering with Parks & Trails NY to co-sponsor the Ninth Annual Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle tour, taking place from July 8-15. Cycling the Erie Canal is an eight-day, 400-mile, recreational bike tour from Buffalo to Albany along the historic and scenic Erie Canal. In 2006, the tour drew over 500 riders from 39 states and several foreign countries.
The Corporation also is sponsoring the second annual CanalSplash!, a signature canal-wide celebration from August 10-12 that will feature hikes, bikes, canoe and kayak paddles, narrated cruises, historical tours, canal-side festivals, fireworks and more. In 2006, more than 85 events took place all along the Canal Corridor throughout the weekend celebration.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
For the complete 2007 Calendar of Events, or for more information about attractions and vacation opportunities along the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.nyscanals.gov.