For immediate release: August 6, 2015
Contact: Shane Mahar (518) 471-5300
CANAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES 10th ANNUAL CANAL SPLASH! ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Community Events Scheduled Across New York State Canal System to Highlight Numerous Recreational Opportunities Available to the Public
Canal Splash! kicks off Friday, August 7, with a ten day-long celebration of attractions, events and activities available along the 524-mile-long New York State Canal and trail systems.
The 10th annual Canal Splash! August 7-16 at multiple locations, will include historic and nature walks, bike tours, museum and gallery exhibits, boating events, lectures festivals and live performances.
The ten-day event is co-sponsored by the Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
“For the tenth consecutive year, Canal Splash! will attract visitors from throughout New York and far beyond,” said Brian U. Stratton, Director of the Canal Corporation. “As a result of its continued success and growth, this year’s festival will host an expanded schedule of events, providing residents, families and tourists with even more opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the beauty and versatility of the canals. The New York State canal system is a vital asset and has become a boon for not only the regional economy, but recreational and cultural activities, and tourism upstate as well. The Canal Corporation is delighted to partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor once again on these magnificent events.”
Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor D Bob Radcliffe said, “Canal Splash! is yet another way to explore and appreciate New York’s renowned canal system. The beauty, history and diversity of the canals and the communities along them are unparalleled. With ten days of events of all kinds, there is truly a way for everyone to enjoy Canal Splash!”
A complete program of events is available on-line at www.canals.ny.gov/specialevents.
Some highlights of Canal Splash!events taking place throughout the state this weekend include:
Erie Canal
Medina: Orleans County
Concert by the Canal & Sweets in Summer
Event Location: Canal Basin, Medina
Event Date: Saturday, August 8, 2015
Event Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Event Cost: FREE
Event Description: Come enjoy a daylong family event featuring Sweets on Main Street, a historical talk about Medina and the Canal and ending with a Concert by the Canal. On stage will be “The Blind Leading the Blind” and the “Mercury Blues Band”. BBQ Food truck on site to provide a delicious meal or snack.
For More Information: Phone: 585-798-2118
www.villagemedina.org 
Little Falls: Herkimer County
28th Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration
Event Location: 15 Jackson Street, Little Falls
Event Date: August 10 – August 16, 2015
Event Time: varies
Event Cost: Free
Event Description: Week long events featuring fun paddles, fishing derbies, foot races, boat tours, historic walks, arts and craft shows, farmers market, car show, parade, fireworks, BBQ, live entertainment, and great food.
For More Information: Phone: 315-823-1740
www.LittleFallsNY.com
Spencerport: Monroe County
German Fest
Event Location: 14 Amity Street, Spencerport
Event Date: August 7 – August 8, 2015
Event Time: 4:00pm – 11:00pm/ noon – 11:00pm
Event Cost: $5.00
Event Description: Annual German Federation Festival celebrating German Food, Music and Customs.
For More Information: Phone: 585-352-4771
www.jen021072@yahoo.com
Palmyra: Wayne County
Palmyra Pirate Weekend
Event Location: Palmyra Village Park – East Main Street and Erie Canal, Palmyra
Event Date: Friday night August 7, 2015 and all day Saturday August 8, 2015
Event Time: Friday night at dusk - Saturday all day!
Event Cost: Free
Event Description: The Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Palmyra Village Park and other venues throughout the Village of Palmyra, bearing a boatload of fun for all ages. Including: FREE Movie in the park on Friday Night. On Saturday, a Pirate Regatta Bed Race, Pirate & Kazoo Band Parade, Painted windows along Main Street, Climbing Wall, Chicken BBQ, Canal Boat Rides, Dunking booth, Old Time photos, Historic Palmyra Museums and Walking tours, Pirate tales, live music, food, children’s games, Healthy Living Treasure Hunt, Jolly Roger 5k race and much more. Dress like a pirate and join the parade.
For More Information: Phone: 585-368-8080
www.eriecanalpirates.com
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
Seneca Falls: Seneca County
After The Falls: Van Cleef Lake Centennial
Event Location: various locations, Seneca Falls
Event Date: August 7 – August 20, 2015
Event Time: varies
Event Cost: mostly free
Event Description: Parade, water parade, video of historical phots, boat tours, historic talks and presentations, festive dinner, art show, 1915-style Clinton’s Follies vaudeville show, other events marking 100th anniversary of creation of Van Cleef Lake and double canal lock in downtown Seneca Falls.
For More Information: Phone: 315-406-3565
http://senecadaily.com/CANALFEST/calendar-of-events/
Champlain Canal
Fort Edward: Washington County
4th Annual Champlain Canalway Trail Bicycle Tour
Event Location: Lock C7, Fort Edward
Event Date: August 9, 2105
Event Time: 9:00am for longer tour, 9:30am for shorter one
Event Cost: $25.00 in advance, $30.00 day of event for bike tour only, additional for return by boat
Event Description: For the fourth year, the Champlain Canalway Trail Working Group will offer a bike tour of part of the corridor of this emerging trail. This year, the tour will begin in Fort Edward and two different bike tour lengths will be available as well the opportunity to return by boat.
For More Information: Phone: 518-637-4690
Ride options include: an easier and shorter guided tour intended to introduce people to some of the historical and natural features the Champlain Canalway Trail will connect. The group will be small compared to many tours and cover approximately 25 miles. This year’s tour will begin at Lock 7 near Fort Miller and proceed via Fort Edward to Glens Falls and then to Fort Ann, with several stops along the way to learn historic sites, such as the Five Combines on the Feeder Canal, Battle Hill in Fort Ann, and other places of interest. After lunch in Fort Ann, the tour will head to Lock 9 where riders can board the Caldwell Belle for a return boat ride to the starting point or can continue back to Lock 7 by bike. A longer 45-50-mile bike tour will initially follow the above route before diverging along back roads for those who seek a greater physical challenge and are less interested in informational stops along the way. This ride will be at your own pace and will not include the boat option.
Schuylerville: Saratoga County
11th Annual Cardboard Boat Race
Event Location: Fort Hardy Park Beach, Schuylerville
Event Date: August 8, 2015, rain date August 9, 2015
Event Time: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Event Cost: Free to spectators
Event Description: Come out for a great family day of fun. Build and race a cardboard boat on site or bring you pre-built boat (register by 11:00am) to race. Live Music, Food and children’s activities. Our theme race will be “Fire on the water” with a “Battle of the Fireboats” between fire fighters. It’s a memorable day of Family fun brought to you by Hudson Crossing Park.
For More Information: Phone: 518-695-4539
www.hudsoncrossingpark.org
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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, the waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more information about the New York State Canal System, vacation opportunities and events call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.
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