2 days ago
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
