Canal Corporation Announces Second Annual Canal Splash!

ALBANY, NY (07/20/2007)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today announced 100 local events will take place throughout the weekend of August 10-12, 2007, as part of the second annual Canal Splash!, a weekend-long celebration of the history, culture, recreational appeal and beauty of the New York State Canal System and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation said, “This year’s Canal Splash! promises something for everyone in the whole family. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and celebrate this tremendous recreational and cultural asset and the rich heritage of our upstate canal communities. The Canal Corporation is pleased to partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Parks & Trails New York to make this year’s Canal Splash! even bigger and better than last year.”

Frank Dean, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said, “The Canal Splash! is a great invitation to get out on the water or explore on land the many fantastic historic, cultural, and recreational resources of the Erie Canalway.”

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director, Parks and Trails New York, said, “The Canal Splash! highlights the rich diversity of things to see and do along New York's magnificent Canal System. The corridor-wide event showcases the many cultural, historic, and natural resources found throughout the region and the many ways to explore and enjoy them.”

Canal Splash! is the Canal Corporation’s signature event designed to promote the many communities, organizations, businesses and attractions throughout the Erie Canalway Corridor. The Corridor encompasses more than 524 miles of waterway, including the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga-Seneca and Champlain canals and more than 230 communities stretching from Buffalo to Albany.

Examples of local events include: nature and history walks along the canal and Canalway Trail; kayak and canoe rental specials, museum and gallery features; group bicycle rides on the Canalway Trail; canalside business and restaurant specials; cruise boat tours; canal festivals, concerts and more.

A program of events is attached and is available on-line at www.nyscanals.gov or www.johnymilleradventures.com. The program, which contains a complete 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 contact the New York State Canal Corporation Marketing Office at 518-436-2799.

The New York State Canal Corporation 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.

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

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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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