Canal Corporation and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Announce 3rd Annual Canal Splash!

ALBANY, NY (05/16/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, with assistance from Johnny Miller Adventures, have announced that the Third Annual Canal Splash! will take place during the weekend of August 8-10, 2008. This year’s Canal Splash! will offer a series of locally organized events designed to highlight the history, beauty, culture and recreational appeal of the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail.

Any Canal Corridor community, business, club or non-profit organization may participate in the Canal Splash! and may register its event at www.canalsplash.com. Examples of local events include, but are not limited to, nature or history walks along the Canal or Canalway Trail; museum gallery features or exhibits; group bicycle rides on the Canalway Trail; rowing regattas; Canalside business or restaurant specials; kayak or canoe tours; cruise boat tours; canal festivals, concerts andmore.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said, “As we prepare for another exciting Canal Splash!, I encourage canal communities, businesses, and non-profits to take part in a weekend long celebration of all the New York State Canal System has to offer. The Canal Corporation is pleased to partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and communities across the Canalway to ensure this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.”

Beth Sciumeca, Acting Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said, “The more events the better. By participating in Canal Splash! communities and organizations help to showcase what makes the New York State Canal System world class.”

The Corporation encourages those along the Canal to help create awareness and generate additional exposure for their community, business or event by participating in this year’s Canal Splash!. Last year’s Canal Splash! featured more than 100 events and attracted tens of thousands of visitors during the two day, multi-location celebration.

Events must be registered no later than June 2, 2008 to be included in the printed program and schedule of events. All events will be included in the on-line listing and in press releases.

For more information about the Third Annual Canal Splash! or to register an event, please refer to www.canalsplash.com or contact Johnny Miller Adventures at 518-424-3986.

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 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 visit www.eriecanalway.org.

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