Cayuga/Seneca Canals

Locktoberfest Seneca Falls

9 October 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals

Seneca Falls was the place to be on Saturday Oct. 7th. for their first annual Locktoberfest. A little rainy weather in the morning didn’t keep visitors away from the Canal Harbor for a day of food, crafts and music.

Great BBQ was on the menu from 3 different vendors, Craft beers and local wines were served, pumpkin decorating, four great musical acts which played throughout the day. When the sun went down the party didn’t end when barrels were loaded with wood and lit on fire along the canal wall.

Photo by Randy Madsen

40 boats had cruised into the harbor starting on Wed and the boaters were there to celebrate the end of the boating season.

All had an enjoyable day and with the first Locktoberfest being such a great success, it was announced that the event will be back and hopefully that means a multi-day celebration.

The Erie Canal

2 October 2017
Categories: Bike/Hike the Canals, Boat the Erie Canal, Canal Road Trips, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Western Erie Canal

The Erie Canal

About:

The Erie Canal, often referred to the NYS Barge Canal includes 524 miles of navigable waterways throughout NYS. The Canals that make up the Erie Canal System include the Cayuga / Seneca, The Champlain, The Oswego and the Erie itself. These 4 Canals allow for travel from inland NY to anywhere in the world.

 

Facts:

The 4 individual canals today total 524 miles of navigable waterways. There are currently 55 locks and 18 lift bridges amongst the Canals. Total lift is 568’ and the largest lift is lock   at Little Falls with 49’of lift. It is also the only lock on the system that uses a drop door instead of the standard swing doors used elsewhere. The flight of 5 which consists of locks 2-7 just west of Waterford is the greatest elevation change on any navigable waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Erie Canal is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also a National Park Historical Site.

 

 

History:

The Erie first envisioned in the early 1800’s by NY’s then governor Dewitt Clinton was first dismissed as crazy and was referred to early on as Clinton’s Follies. Hope was that the Federal Government would help fund the project, but that never happened and New York State went it alone. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825 at a cost of $8 million dollars, the Canal ended up paying for itself in less than 8 years. New York City soon became the largest port in the United States as a direct result of the construction of the Erie Canal. The opening of the canal in 1825 allowed for goods and people to be shipped in half the time and at one tenth the cost of the conventional methods of the time.

The Canal has evolved throughout the years from what was originally referred to as Clinton’s Ditch where mules walked the tow path towing barges and boats up and down the canal. The advent of mechanically powered vessels allowed for the use of the lakes and river sections which continued to speed travel along the Canal. The final version of the Canal was opened in 1915 and is what we travel on today. The infrastructure visible along the Canal today is the same technology that was designed and built back in 1915 and still amazes visitors to the Canal each day.

New York State understood the value of the Canal when it guaranteed its continued existence by amending its constitution in 1938 during a constitutional convention.

The Canal Today:

Continues to be used for commercial shipping albeit in a limited fashion. It is used as a source of water for agricultural purposes, it is used to generate electric through it’s more than 2 dozen hydro-electric power plants scattered throughout the Canal System. The Canal is also used as a very important means of flood control. Today the greatest use of the Canal System relates to tourism. The Erie Canal passes through 5 of NYS’s travel regions. Whether Boating, Bicycling, Hiking or Road Tripping through the Erie Canal System, the opportunities are virtually limitless. The Canalway trail is now more than 75% complete, NY has committed to completing 100% of the trail by 2020. Boaters have access to the 524 miles of waterways, with marinas throughout the system available for transient and seasonal docking or the many communities that open their doors to boaters many with free docking, free electrical, wi-fi, bathrooms and shower facilities. The Cayuga/Seneca connects the Erie Canal to the two largest Finger lakes. From Fishing to Wine tasting those lakes offer boaters and visitors alike world class opportunities for enjoyment.

The Oswego Canal connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario and beyond. The Lake Ontario region offers visitors World Class Fishing, and the ability to travel by water to Canada and beyond.

The Champlain Canal region is steeped in history dating back to the formation of the United States. Allowing travelers to transit from the Hudson River to Lake Champlain and onto the Chambly Canal.

The Discover the Erie Canal site has been designed to be the most comprehensive online resource on the Erie Canal. It not only provides travelers who wish to experience the Erie Canal with all the information they need to maximize their trip, but also provides visitors with information on the history, news and events and information on the more than 200 communities that surround the Erie Canal  

Locktoberfest on the Erie Canal

28 September 2017
Categories: Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Western Erie Canal

Locktoberfest

Locktoberfest is a NYS Canal Corporation sponsored series of events located throughout the Erie Canal corridor. This year is no different with events located in five communities on all 4 sections of the Canal

Lockport located on the western section of the Erie Canal. Locktoberfest in Lockport is scheduled for Sept. 30th from the hours of 12 noon – 6 pm. A celebration of their local heritage, their farms, food, crafts, and community all built on the shores of the Erie Canal. For more info on the event in Lockport visit their web site at www.locktoberfest.org.

 

Seneca Falls hosts there first annual Locktoberfest celebration on Oct. 7th. The event is scheduled to last all day with vendors, music, food, and boats.

This will be the last weekend of boating on the Canals and Seneca Falls will be the place for boaters as Seneca Falls welcomes boaters with more than 900’ of docking available. Free electric, wi-fi and boater amenity center all make for a great experience while visiting Seneca Falls

 

Rome, where the first shovel for construction of the canal 200 years ago went into the ground celebrates Locktoberfest on Oct. 7th from 11 am. – 8 pm. Rome celebrates Locktoberfest on the waterfront in Bellamy Harbor. Craft Beer and Wine Tent, Food Trucks, Pony Rides, and celebrate the grand opening of the Navigation Center and the lighting of the Water Tower at 6pm.   More info at [email protected]

 

Phoenix home of the bridge house brats celebrates Locktoberfest on Oct. 7th. Their event runs from 11 am – 8 pm. Visit the Stage Street Food Court which will be featuring over 30 food trucks & vendors offering $1.00 samples and full menus of festival favorites.

Two full Beer & Wine Gardens including NY’s finest craft beers, ciders, wine, slushies, smoothies and more!

Live music will be featured during the event on the Great Outdoors main stage along with acts appearing on their new second stage located on the northern end of State Street.

Countless Crafters and artisans will be on hand selling locally made unique creations!!

 

Fort Edward on the Champlain Canal celebrates on Oct. 14th. with an all-day event.

Tour Cayuga County

3 September 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Eastern Erie Canal

Tour Cayuga County

The Ultimate Finger Lakes Wine and Dine Tour Road Trip

Day 1

Set in the heart of the Finger Lakes, Cayuga County is no exception to the presence of wine and great culinary bounty. Enjoy a day of experience quality wines made by quality people who you’re sure to meet along the way!

Start the day on a quest for the perfect wine glasses at Mackenzie-Childs. Tour the restored Victorian Farmhouse overlooking Cayuga Lake, and see the beautiful hand-decorated ceramic tableware and home furnishings. Watch a video of the production process at the Visitor Center, browse through the retail shop and enjoy the country gardens.

Next visit the quaint Village of Aurora for shopping in it’s unique stores. Be sure to stop into Bet the Farm Winery & Gourmet Market, a charming, specialty shop featuring their own wines, plus a quality selection of other Finger Lakes wines and gourmet foods from the region.

For lunch, enjoy the refined American cuisine inspired and influenced by fresh regional products and produce at the Aurora Inn Dining Room. Dine lakeside – inside their lively dining room, or outside on their beautiful veranda.

Or opt for Pumpkin Hill Bistro’s peaceful storied setting for a meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients. For a memorable experience try a fine selection of wonderful Cayuga Lake wines and delicious farm fare while enjoying a beautiful setting.

After lunch, head just up the hill to Long Point Winery. Overlooking the lake, the awe-inspiring views take a back stage only to the medium to full-bodied award-winning wines you’ll experience in the expansive tasting room.

Finish touring for the day at King Ferry Winery, a small farm winery known for award-winning Treleaven wines, including Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Meritage aged in French and Bavarian oak barrels.

Before dinner enjoy some drinks and good times while taking in historic downtown Auburn, at Prison City Pub & Brewery.   Then head off to Oak & Vine at Springside, a modern gastro-pub for dinner with a view. Enjoy a drink on the terrace and try an array of American cuisine featuring locally-sourced products.

After dinner, enjoy Broadway musical theatre at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse located in Emerson Park on the shores of Owasco Lake. Finish your evening at Green Shutters Restaurant for a delicious ice-cream cone and walk on the Owasco Lake Pier.

Day 2

Start the day at Izzo’s White Barn Winery: set on 14 acres of old farm land blessed with its own pond fondly named Lake Lorraine after the co-owner Lorraine Izzo. Enjoy their signature “White Barn” wines as well as traditional Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

Next stop at CJS Vineyards & Aurelius Winery. Established in 1995, this small vineyard and winery is the pride and joy of the Scholomiti Family, producing fine Finger Lakes table wines, specializing in Riesling and Chambourcin. Visitors to their relaxed tasting room enjoy the personal touch of their friendly, helpful hosts. Their winemaker loves to share wine stories and helps many homemaking wine visitors with their craft.

Break for lunch at the Refinery in Auburn. This recently renovated restaurant conveniently located adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn, serves a mix of traditional pub fare with a new school twist, and takes inspiration from the gastropub concepts.

For a unique spin on wine, finish Day Two of your tour with a stop at The Apple Station. Known for many years as a great place to pick and buy apples, the Apple Station now produces and features apple, grape and blended fruit wines.

 

Cruising The Erie Canal From Lyons

8 August 2017
Categories: Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Western Erie Canal

Cruising the Erie Canal from Lyons

On Saturday August 26 and Sunday, August 27, The Lyons Rotary and the Lyons Erie Canalway Greeters are sponsoring 3 Erie Canal Cruises. Passengers will travel aboard the 48 passenger Seneca Lake Reel Tours tour boat and will depart from the Lyons dock behind the fire Department Building.

On Saturday, narrated tours of 1 ½ hours will leave the dock at 4 and 7 PM. Heading west, passengers will experience 2 locks and have a “from the water view” of the location of the former NYS Canal Corp Port, the original Clinton’s Ditch, the Hotchkiss Essential Oil Peppermint Museum, Dobbin’s Park and the first Mural Mania, the Enlarged Erie aqueduct remains, the NYS Canal Corp Drydock, and the location of the double chambered Lock E 56 and canal store. Passengers will also receive a short instruction on the operation of Locks!

Heading east, passengers will then view the former Chevron Asphalt Barge landing, last used in 1990, view the location of a recently sunken sailboat, and see Creagers’s Bridge from the water. A cash bar, beverages, and munchies will be available. Ticket prices are $20.00 adult and $15.00 child for the 4 PM cruise, and $25.00 per person for the adult 7 PM cruise.

On Sunday, the narrated cruise will leave the dock at 10:00 AM and cruise to Stiver’s Seneca Marine, adjacent to the Crow’s Nest. Passengers will experience 3 canals- the Erie Barge, The Seneca, and the Cayuga- Seneca. They will “lock through” 6 locks, including the double lock in Seneca Falls.

On Sunday, passengers will travel west from Lyons, cruise under Creager’s Bridge, cruise under the lowest bridge on the Western Erie Canal just east of Clyde, cruise through the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, witness Bald Eagle nests, see the world famous Richmond/ Montezuma Aqueduct remains, glide across Van Cleef Lake, view the world famous Trinity Church, and pass under Bailey’s Bridge, featured in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

A cash bar, beverages, and munchies will be available. Cruise will last approximately 4 ½ hours. A continental breakfast and return transportation to Lyons are included in the ticket price of $65.00 per person…. For tickets or information, please contact Rotarian Keith Bridger (315-945-316) or Canalway Greeter Bob Stopper (315-573-1068). Tickets are also available at Dobbins Drug Store and Lyons National Bank in Lyons.

  

Thank You: Robert Stopper  [email protected]       H: 315-946-6224       C: 315-573-1068

Canal Splash

6 August 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Eastern Erie Canal, Western Erie Canal

Canal Splash

Celebrate the history, culture, recreational appeal, and beauty of the New York State Canal System and Erie Canalway Trail during the 10 days of Canal Splash!

Friday, August 11 – Sunday, August 20, 2017

Canal Splash! is a coordinated series of locally organized events and activities, that take place along the Canal System and Canalway Trail, including nature and history walks, museum and gallery exhibits, rowing regattas, kayak and canoe outings, musical performances, boat tours and more.

 

Brockport Arts Festival

Event Location: Main Street Brockport

Event Date: August 12-13th, 2017

Event Time:   10am. – 6pm

Event Cost:   FREE

Event Description: The Brockport Arts Festival is an arts and crafts fair with loads of very talented artisans, a variety of foods, music, wines and beers. It takes place on Main Street in Brockport, a classic Victorian Village by the Erie Canal.

For More Information: http://www.brockportartsfestival.com

 

Lockapalooza

Event Location: Lock 32 Whitewater Park

Event Date:   August 19th, 2017

Event Time: 9:30 am – 8:30 pm.

Event Description: One of the largest Whitewater competitions in Central New York. Watch paddlers from around the region compete in Whitewater Kayaking events.

For More Information: (585) 329-6266 or http://www.lock32.com/lockapalooza.html

 

Palmyra Pirate Weekend

Event Location:   East Main Street Palmyra

Event Date:   August 11th – 12th.

Event Cost:   FREE

Event Description: Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Village and Port of Palmyra during the 10th annual Pirate Weekend Aug. 11th & 12th. Friday night movie at dusk: The Princess Bride. Saturday Bed Racing, 5K, vendors, food, wine tasting, music, parade, Treasure Hunt and Games, Canal Trail tours, Pirate tales and museum tours.

For More Information   (585) 368-8081 or Palmyra Pirate Weekend

 

 

Wayne County Fair

Event Location:   300 W. Jackson St.

Event Date:   August 14th – 19th.

Event Time: Events start at 9 am.

Event Cost: Admission $5 Adults-17and older, $3 youth ages 6-16 ages 5 and under FREE

Event Description: Horse Races, Music, Food and Family Fun.

For More Information: www.waynecountyfair.org

 

Sylvan Beach Canalfest

Event Location: Village Park, Sylvan Beach

Event Date: August 11th-13th.

Event Time: Friday 6pm. – 10 pm. Saturday 9 am. – 9:30 pm. Sunday 9 am.- 7:30 pm

Event Cost: FREE

Event Description: Join us at our annual Canal Fest. Great fun throughout the weekend. Enjoy free entertainment throughout the weekend with crafters, vendors, entertainment in the Village Park. Events include the Waterski Show, and concerts.

For More Information: http://www.sylvanbeachny.com/canal-fest

 

Herkimer County Fair

Event Location: Herkimer County Fair Ground

Event Date: August 15th – 20th.

Event Time: Tuesday 3 pm.-10:30 pm. Wednesday – Friday 9:30 am. – 9:30 pm. Saturday 9:00 am. – 9:30 pm.

Event Cost: Adults $10.00, Children 5 – 12 $3.00 Children under 5 FREE

Event Description: Demolition Derby, Tractor and Truck Pulls, Pageant and Junior Pagaen, Talent Showcase, Horse Show, Live Music and Fireworks.

For More Information: (315) 895-7464 http://www.herkimercountyfair.org

 

River Through Time Festival

Event Location: Haslett Park Fort Plain NY

Event Date: August 12th, 2017

Event Time: 12 noon – 4 pm.

Event Cost: FREE

Event Description: Come for an afternoon of live music, food and fun in Fort Plain.

For More Information: http://mohwakvalleycollective.com/upcoming-events

 

Taste and Tunes

Event Location: Generations Bank, 20 E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls NY 13148

Event Date: August 18th. 2017

Event Time: 6 – 9 pm.

Event Description: In Seneca County alone there are more than 3700 families in need that depend on the Seneca County House of Concern, the Seneca Falls Backpack Program and Trevor’s Gift. These organizations rely on our support as community members and business owners to help them be successful to their cause. On Friday, August 18th. 2017 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 we will be holding the 3rd. Annual Taste & Tunes Festival which features local wineries, breweries, restaurants and musicians to benefit these local charities.

For More Information: (315) 568-1151 http://directory.fingerlakesgateway.com/events/details/taste-time-3585

 

 

Corning Glass Museum Glass Barge

4 May 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, History, Western Erie Canal

The Corning Glass Museum Glass Barge is coming to the Erie Canal. The museum has taken their mobile hot shops across the globe. This all-new world class performance venue brings floating Hot Glass Demos to the Museum’s New York State neighbors along the Erie Canal and its connected waterways.

In 2017, the Glass Barge will be featured at three public waterfront events on the Erie Canal to help celebrate the kickoff of the canal’s bicentennial. The Corning Glass Museums, Hot Glass Demo Team will be providing free public hot glass programming including daily glassmaking demonstrations with invited guest artists.

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Seneca Falls Canal Fest 2017

29 April 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Cayuga/Seneca Canals

Join us at the 2nd annual Seneca Falls Canal Fest. This year’s event will be held on July 7th, 8th and 9th. at the Canal Harbor in Seneca Falls NY.

Seneca Falls has set out to recreate the events that were first held in the early 1960’s when thousands of visitors and what seemed like 100’s of boats crowded the Canal Harbor.   Last year attracted more than 10,000 visitors who attended the three-day event and this year there are even more events scheduled and more promotion planned to ensure an even larger event.

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Women’s Rights National Historical Park

29 March 2017
Categories: Cayuga/Seneca Canals, History, Uncategorized

Women’s Rights National Historical Park

Located at 136 Fall St. Seneca Falls the Women’s Rights National Historical Park consists of four major historical properties including the Wesleyan Methodist Church which was the site of the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention. The Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, the M’Clintonk House and the Richard Hunt House are also on display. The park includes a visitor center and an education and cultural center housing the Suffrage Press Print shop.

The Women’s Rights National Historical Park was created by Congress in 1980 to preserve and interpret the nationally significant historical and cultural sites and structures associated with the struggle for equal rights for women.

The first Women’s Rights Convention was held over two days in July 1848. More than 300 women and men attended the convention which marked the beginning of the organized women’s rights movement. The Declaration of Sentiments adopted during the convention and signed by 100 attendees provide the agenda for subsequent women’s rights activities. It begins with

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the earth a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course.  Read More

 

2017 Navigation Schedule on the Erie Canal

21 March 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Western Erie Canal

The NYS Canal Corporation has just released the schedule for the 2017 Navigation Season.

 

Mariners are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. for the 2017 navigation season.

Additionally, in commemoration of the bicentennial of the start of Erie Canal construction in 1817, there will be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal System in 2017.

The hours of operation for the 2017 season are as follows:

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