More Than 100 Local Events Scheduled For Third Annual Canal Splash!

ALBANY, NY (07/23/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, with assistance from Johnny Miller Adventures, LLC and Parks and Trails NY, today announced more than 100 local events will take place throughout the weekend of August 8-10, 2008, as part of the third annual Canal Splash!. The Canal Splash!is 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 Crridor.

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 to enjoy. Whether it's a guided walk or bike trek along the Canalway Trail, a visit to a canalside historic site or museum, a boat tour, or one of many community festivals, I encourage residents and visitors to celebrate this tremendous recreational and cultural asset and the rich heritage of our upstate canal communities."

Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor said, "Eighty percent of New Yorkers live within 25 miles of the canal. Canal Splash! is a great chance people to have fun and discover the wealth of recreational opportunities and historic and cultural sites right in our own backyard."

Canal Splash! is the Canal Corporation's signature event designed to promote the many communities, organizations, businesses and attractions throughout the Ere 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 ore.

A 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.

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 dsigned 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 f 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 Canl 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/.

-30-