Sign Up Now for Canal Splash! Calendar

ALBANY, NY (06/08/2012)(readMedia)-- Communities, groups, businesses and organizations are urged to list upcoming activities on the Calendar of Events for the Sixth Annual Canal Splash! that will be celebrated the weekend of August 10-12, 2012.

June 22, 2012, 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.

Brian U. Stratton, director of the Canal Corporation said, "Canal Splash! offers a wonderful opportunity for our communities to celebrate all that the Canal has to offer – recreational opportunities on both the water and the Canalway Trail, arts and culture, a glimpse into the Canal's glorious history or even just a relaxing day along the waterfront."

Beth Sciumeca, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage

Corridor, said "Canal Splash! has something for everyone and is a great way

to discover what a treasure we have with our world renown canal system and

Canalway Trail. We look forward to another great line-up of events. The weekend events will be promoted through a printed guide that will be distributed widely during July and August. It will direct people to the online listing."

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 three-day, multi-venue celebration. The activities included nature and history walks along the Canal or Canalway Trail; museum gallery features and exhibits; group bicycle rides on the Canalway Trail; rowing regattas; Canalside business or restaurant specials; kayak or canoe tours; cruise boat tours; concerts and canal festivals.

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The New York State Canal system is comprised of four historic waterways: the Erie Canal, the Champlain Canal, the Oswego Canal and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. 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 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor showcases the nationally-significant historic, cultural, and natural resources of New York's canals and canal communities. 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 .

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