Latest news with #CanalDays
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fairport Canal Days: Celebrating the Erie Canal's bicentennial
FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) – With summer just around the corner and families looking to get out of the house for weekend fun, many chose to stop by Fairport's annual Canal Days! Despite construction happening on Main Street in the Village of Fairport, right along the festival's normal setup path, folks still went to Canal Days Saturday afternoon and enjoyed all it had to offer. Canal Days vendor and Owner of The Hair Jewelers, Brandon Solz, shared his favorite part of the festival. 'The people make the festival, the great people,' Solz said. 'As long as the people keep coming, we'll keep showing up as vendors.' More than 150 vendors set up shop in downtown Fairport for the weekend, all working to make the festival happen. Vendor and Owner of Neens McQueens Charcuterie, Grazing Tables & More, Christina Baker shared her appreciation for the camaraderie taking part in the festival creates. Brighton to hold bike giveaway at Bike Rodeo 'The family of food trucks or vendors is incredible. We work together, and if somebody's short something or somebody runs out of something, everybody is helping each other. It's a real family,' Baker said. There's a special element to this year's Canal Days. The community is also celebrating the Erie Canal's Bicentennial. The 363-mile-long water system was completed in October 1825 and remains a focal point for similar festivals across the region. Solz, who is originally from South Africa, explained why he appreciates the local history. 'I've done a bit of research, and the Erie Canal fascinates me in particular,' Solz said. 'Such an incredible achievement and feat, especially back when they did it. To have been able to live in this area and learn so much about it is incredible.' Canal Days is slated to continue through Sunday. A complete list of vendors and events happening can be found on the festival's official website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fairport Canal Days 2025 is this weekend, here's what organizers say you can expect
FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — The 2025 Fairport Canal Days festival sets sail this weekend. 'We work for a whole year, getting, planning for this great weekend,' said Doug Sharp the president of the Fairport Perinton Merchants Association, 'it's here and gone, but just seeing it all come together is just really important.' Sharp says they put a lot of effort into making the event as great as they can, from the food and art to the music. 'We actually start 12 months ago. When the festival's over, we really try thinking about the next year,' said Tim Forester, the Fairport Canal Days music director. 'We really believe we're an arts festival first, and as an arts festival, we're very cognizant that we don't want music that's going to drawn out — or not be cohesive — with what the artists are trying to do.' One of those performances is by the Daniel King Band, and this is not the group's first time at the festival. 'One of the biggest impressions that I can recall,' said Daniel King, 'is seeing so many people walking by and stopping and listen to us playing. It was so gratifying.' Everyone can look forward to the annual Duck Race, with a special one for the Erie Canal's 200th year, which comes with a $200 prize for the winner. And even with all the road work going on, Canal Days Co-Chair Ian Winner says it shouldn't impact the fun. 'The village is completely open so we were fortunate enough we had no reduction in artisan vendors or food vendors this year,' said Winner. 'We have more shuttles, and you can walk through the construction zone. So, you can come in from the north side of the village as well. Really it's the same size festival we were able to pull off with just a smaller footprint.' Fairport Canal Days kicks off tomorrow at 4:30 with the chicken BBQ. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Forbes
Erie Canal Anniversary Offers Vacation Fun And Festivities
The Lockport Locks on the Erie Canal in Lockport, New York are an integral part of the waterway's navigation system. The Erie Canal, which passes through more than 200 New York State municipalities, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The 363-mile waterway and adjacent recreational trails are well-known by locals but unknown by many out-of-state travelers. Festivities are planned throughout the anniversary year, beginning May 16, when the New York State canal system opens through Nov. 3 for recreational and commercial vessels. Recreational vessels can use the waterway free of charge. The opening celebration — a parade of vessels — will be held north of Albany in Waterford, where the Erie Canal meets the Hudson River. 'There's no better time to explore and enjoy the Erie Canal,' says Jean Mackey, the deputy director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. 'Communities and attractions from Albany to Buffalo are rolling out the red carpet with exciting events, bicentennial concerts, tours and historic voyages. And, as always, visitors will find outstanding recreational opportunities along the waterway and the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail.' The Eric Canal offers lots of recreational activities in Fairport, New York. Canal Days is scheduled for June 6-8 in Fairport, a Rochester suburb. The event is an arts festival that, according to New York State Tourism officials, may attract more than 100,000 visitors. Cycle the Erie Canal, a tradition in its 27th year, is scheduled for July 12-20. More than 600 cyclists will embark on a 400-mile ride along the Erie Canal towpath and part of the Empire State Trail from Buffalo to Albany. The 2025 World Canals Conference is set for Sept. 21-25 in Buffalo. Canal enthusiasts, historians, engineers, environmentalists, artists and lesiure travelers, according to the state officials, are expected to attend. Attendees can listen to talks by inland waterway experts and participate in canal-themed excursions. Leisure travelers have lots of choices when trying to decide which portions of the canal might make the most exciting vacation experience. 'It's hard to choose a specific portion as the most exciting, because each region of the canal is distinct and varied with small towns and bigger cities, set against the backdrop of the incredible history and beauty of America's most famous human-made waterway,' Mackey says. 'From boat rentals and tours to multiday bike rides to visiting state and national parks, there's plenty to explore on and off the water no matter where you begin a trip.' In many canalside locations, travelers can sample 'regional culinary traditions and specialties,' Mackey adds. They include Utica greens (escarole, prosciutto and pickled hot cherry peppers with a cheesy breadcrumb topping), chicken riggies (pasta with chicken and peppers), tomato pie, Syracuse salt potatoes, Buffalo chicken wings or a Rochester garbage plate (hamburger, sausage or hot dog meat atop home fries, French fries or macaroni salad). Mackey suggests that leisure travelers begin in one of the major cities that developed along the canal — Albany, Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo — and then explore the waterway. The Erie Canal and New York State's other canals are segmented and managed by a series of locks, lift bridges, guard gates and movable dams that control water flow and vessel traffic. The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, operates the New York State Canal System, which includes 35 locks on the Erie Canal and 22 others on the Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. An average of 2 to 3 million gallons of water are used for each locking, and, last year, the corporation logged 73,569 lockings. Besides overseeing 524 miles of navigable waterways, the corporation operates and maintains about 150 miles of the canal trail that spans 365 miles of walking and biking paths between Buffalo and Albany and from Albany to Whitehall. In 2023, nearly 4 million people used the canal trail for recreational activities, the corporation says.
Hamilton Spectator
28-04-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Port Colborne celebrating volunteers with weeklong campaign
Contributions of Port Colborne volunteers are being recognized by the city during National Volunteer Week with a series of social media posts highlighting their commitments to the community. Daily from April 27 to May 3, the city will profile a different volunteer on Port Colborne's Facebook and Instagram pages. The campaign will share stories of residents involved in a range of volunteer efforts, such as helping with Canal Days and the Community Concert Series, or supporting Port Colborne Public Library and the local museum. 'Port Colborne has the best volunteers around, and often that passion is passed on from one generation to the next,' Mayor Bill Steele said in a statement. 'We have overwhelming community support for so many of our annual events, and our volunteers are the hear of all we are able to accomplish.' The city began celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Week in 2019, joining municipalities across the Niagara region. More information on how to volunteer with the city can be found on the city's website , or via email at volunteers@ .
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘We're open for business:' Fairport village workers move forward despite Rt. 250 construction
FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — Construction is now underway in Fairport involving a near $3.5 million bridge replacement along Rt. 250. News 8's Natalie Kucko caught up with business owners Monday to learn how they are managing, as the work is expected to take several months to complete. The New York State Department of Transportation is replacing the 90-year-old bridge that runs under Main Street, over Thomas Creek, and into the village. 'At this point in time, we've weathered many of the storms whether the lift bridge was closed, railroad construction, and now the Thomas Creek culvert being replaced. We've lived it. We've been here, and we're going to be here for many years to come,' said Doug Sharp, owner of RV&E Bike and Skate. With the construction expected to bring its challenges, business owners are staying optimistic. According to the DOT, work is expected to last about four months total. As part of the project, new sidewalks will be installed, along with ADA compliant curb ramps. 'It's one more adjustment. It's one more thing we've got to roll with. I mean, with business owners, [it's] forever. But, especially the past five years, we have really had to roll with punches and roll with things that change rapidly and adjust to things on the fly and figure out ways to bring people and get our product out there and get ourselves out there,' said Sean McSherry, owner of Junction361 Cafe. The section of Rt. 250 is situated north of Fairport's Lift Bridge. Business owners News 8 heard from say they are spreading the word to customers and assuring that access to the village won't change. 'You have to make sure you market it to your customers, so that they know we are still open and we're working very hard. The most recent was the Lift Bridge construction, and we really did not lose any businesses over that time period. That was a much longer period of time over many different circumstances. So, we're confident with the Fairport businesses to be strong. We're still open for business. Come see us and support us,' said Sharp. As the work is expected to run through event season, Sharp added some vendors along North Main Street that would normally set up for Canal Days in June will relocate to other parts of the village to help accommodate traffic. While construction lasts, drivers are asked to follow detours posted along Whitney, Turk Hill, and Ayrault Roads. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
