Canal Corporation And Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Kick Off Third Annual Canal Splash

Celebration to Highlight Local Heritage and Recreation Along Canalway Corridor

ALBANY, NY (08/06/2008)(readMedia)--

New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello today joined representatives from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, State and local officials and community organizers at the Waterford Harbor Visitors Center in Waterford, Saratoga County, to kick off the third annual Canal Splash!

Canal Splash! is a weekend-long celebration of the history, culture, recreational appeal and beauty of the New York State Canal System, the Canalway Trail and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The three-day, multi-location celebration takes place August 8-10, 2008 and features more than 100 activities including nature walks, educational exhibits, boating events and races, musical performances and tours.

Director Mantello said, "The third annual Canal Splash! has something for everyone to enjoy with more than 100 events and activities planned throughout the weekend. I encourage residents and visitors to pick one or several events to attend to experience the multitude of recreational, historical, and cultural assets available throughout the Canal System. The Canal Corporation is pleased to continue our partnership with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to continue the growth and popularity of this annual event."

Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said, "Canal Splash! activities present a great way to discover the best of the NYS Canal System and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Communities and organizations have done an outstanding job planning a great diversity of events."

Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari said, "With a multitude of events and recreational activities available this weekend, Canal Splash! has quickly become a premier tourist attraction which will undoubtedly provide an economic boost to the many communities, organizations and businesses along the Canal Corridor. Additionally, it is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover all that this majestic waterway has to offer."

Village of Waterford Mayor Bert Mahoney said, "Waterford is pleased to host several events to highlight the Canal System as part of the Canal Splash! I urge everyone to bring the entire family out to enjoy the many local activities taking place this weekend."

Commissioner Carol Ash, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said, "Canal Splash! offers an excellent opportunity for summer fun at state parks located along the New York State Canal system, including hiking, biking, fishing, boating and more. State Parks is proudly participating in Governor Paterson's initiative to promote "vacations in our backyard" this summer, and I encourage New Yorkers to discover the beauty and expanse of the Canal and all the wondrous state parks to be found along the magnificent waterway."

Waterford is host to several of the Capital Region events planned for the August 8-10, 2008 Canal Splash! Canal boat rides will be offered at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center on both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am - 4:00pm at a cost of $10 per person. The Waterford Harbor Visitor Center will also have the Farmers Market, featuring local goods, from 9:00am - 2:00pm on Sunday. In addition, people will be able to enjoy Waterford Heritage Day throughout the weekend and activities will include fireworks, concert, and an antique Fire Engine Parade. Just across the harbor at Peebles Island State Park, there will be guided ranger walking tours of Peebles Island history, the Erie Canal, and "Playstation 1800s" for kids held on Saturday.

Following are highlights of Canal Splash! events taking place throughout the State this weekend:

Champlain Canal Region

• 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Race - Schuylerville, NY

Come join the fun as a spectator or enter the race. Build a human powered boat made of corrugated cardboard or 100% recycled materials that will hold one crewmember and be seaworthy on the Hudson River in Schuylerville.

• Fort Edward Cruz-In - Fort Edward, NY

Get into the groove with 50s music, local food and all of the "Cool Cars, Beautiful Boats and Sweet Rides" that can fit into the park!

Erie Canal Region

• Erie Canal Heritage Tour - Lockport, NY

Explore the Erie Canal Discovery Center, an award-winning interpretive center for Erie Canal heritage and the Flight of Five locks at Lockport. Features Raphael Becks 20x13 foot mural and hands on exhibits.

• Town of Brighton Canal Festival - Brighton, NY

Travel back in time to the exciting era of the Erie Canal's early years! Hear the intriguing stories of historical re-enactors as canal boaters; bring the whole family and enjoy a musical performance at 11:30 am; and have some good old-fashioned fun playing games, enjoying food, and marvel at the Wild Wings demonstration at 1:00 pm.

• Pirates of the Erie Canal - Palmyra, NY

The weekend will be packed with exciting things to do, including: bed races, wandering magicians, story telling, live music, walking tours, children's games and activities, sidewalk sales, museum tours, chicken BBQ, pirate costume contests, community picnic and lots more pirate fun!

• Canal Fest - Sylvan Beach, NY

Enjoy a visit on the Tugboat Urger, the flagship vessel of the New York State Canal Corporation. Also enjoy Boati Gras and free entertainment throughout the weekend.

• Stockade District Walking Tour - Schenectady, NY

Tour New York state's first Historic District and view some of the oldest architecture in New York State. The tour will also highlight tours and trivia about the Erie Canal.

Oswego Canal

• Magic In Minetto - Minetto, NY

Live music, face painting, local displays, food and drink, and much more!

• Fort Ontario Festival of the Arts - Oswego, NY

Celebrate the arts with music, arts and crafts, dance and literature from the Central New York area, with special events taking place throughout the weekend for children.

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

• Vineyard Night's Summer Concert Series - Romulus, NY

Come groove to live music, taste good wine and enjoy the evening ambiance of a vineyard at Buttonwood Grove Winery.

• Historic Village Walking Tours - Seneca Falls, NY

Experience walking tours of the historic village renown for its women's history and the underground railroad. Tours provided upon request.

A complete program of events is available on-line at www.canalsplash.com by clicking on Media and then 2008 Canal Splash Program PDF. The program, which contains a listing of events by Canal Region, also will be available at various locations along the canal, including many canalside businesses, visitor centers, and canal locks and harbors. For more information about Canal Splash! or to request a program, please visit www.canalsplash.com.

Canal Splash! is organized by the New York State Canal Corporation in partnership with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor with assistance from Johnny Miller, LLC and Parks and Trails New York.

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.

The Canal Corporation is a proud supporter of the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, a year long celebration designed to commemorate 400 years of progress in the Empire State. For more information on the Quadricentennial, please visit www.exploreny400.com.

For more information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is one of 37 National Heritage Areas in the nation. For information, please visit www.eriecanalway.org.

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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