Sign Up Now for Canal Splash! Calendar

Communities, groups, businesses and organizations are urged to list their upcoming activities on the Calendar of Events for the Sixth Annual Canal Splash! that will be observed the weekend of August 12-14, 2011.

June 15, 2011, is the deadline to be included in the widely distributed printed guide to activities and events.

For more information about the Canal Splash! or to register an event, please see the weblink www.canals.ny.gov/specialevents/ or contact the New York State Canal Corporation at (518) 436-3034.

Canal Splash! is co-sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to highlight the history, beauty, culture and recreational appeal of the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail.

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!

Last year's Canal Splash! featured nearly 100 events that attracted tens of thousands of visitors during the two-day, multi-venue celebration. The activities included included 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, concerts and canal festivals.

Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said, "As we look forward to another exciting Canal Splash! weekend, The Canal Corporation is pleased to partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and communities across the Canalway Corridor to ensure this year's event is bigger and better than ever."

Beth Sciumeca, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said, "Canal Splash! is a great opportunity for people to have fun and discover what a treasure the New York State Canal system is. We look forward to another great line-up of events."

The weekend event will be promoted through a printed guide that will be distributed widely during July and August. It will direct people to the online listing.

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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 waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

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

For more information about vacation opportunities and events along the New York State Canal system, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov. For information about boating safety and marine recreation in New York State, visit www.nysparks.com or call 518-474-0445.

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