Capital Region organizations receive canal tourism funding
WATERFORD, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Eight Capital Region municipalities and non-profit organizations were among the 45 chosen to receive grant funding from the New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Events Grants come as the Erie Canal marks its 200th anniversary in October.
The grants, totaling $255,000, will support tourism infrastructure improvements and events along canal waterways and the Canalway Trail. Each grant ranged from $500 to $24,000.
"After 200 years of continuous operation, the Canalway wouldn’t be what it is without the communities and organizations along its 500-plus miles," New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said in a press release. "This program offers us an opportunity to give back by supporting public events and needed infrastructure improvements that together make the Canal corridor an even more exciting place to live in and visit."
Four municipalities and four organizations within the Capital Region received grants to support amenity improvements and event funding:
Town of Halfmoon
The town of Halfmoon plans to use its awarded money to upgrade the amenities at Crescent Park. This will include improving picnic tables and benches and enhancing the park's usability and accessibility for visitor enjoyment.
Waterford Canal Festival 2025
The Waterford Canal and Towpath Society will use its grant funding for the Waterford Canal Festival 2025, slated to take place from May 16 to May 19. This year's festival, which will be held at the Waterford Harbor and Lock E2, will celebrate the opening of the Erie Canal's 200th season with boat tours, music, vendors, walking tours, bike rides and more.
Flotsam River Circus - 2025 Erie Canal Tour
The Flotsam River Circus, a traveling circus act, received funding for its 2025 Erie Canal Tour. In August, the circus will host 35 free performances of FLOTSAM, a group of musicians, puppeteers and circus artists.
Every performance will take place on a ramshackle raft making its way through the Erie Canal and Hudson River. The act will stop in Schenectady and Amsterdam as it travels from Buffalo to New York City.
19th Annual Cardboard Boat Races Festival
Hudson Crossing Park plans to use the awarded funding for its 19th Annual Cardboard Boat Races Festival, scheduled for Aug. 9 at Fort Hardy Park Beach in Schuylerville. Participants will build and race their own cardboard boats inspired by canal communities from around the world.
Montgomery County Kayak-a-Thon/Bicentennial Bash
Montgomery County will dedicate its grant to funding the Montgomery County Kayak-a-Thon/Bicentennial Bash, which will be held on Aug. 23. In celebration of the Erie Canal's 200th birthday, the event will host a 9-mile paddle along the Mohawk River, from Fonda to Port Jackson in Amsterdam. After, attendees are invited to head to Riverlink Park for live music, food, fireworks, historic exhibits and kids activities.
Waterford Tugboat Roundup
The town of Waterford plans to use its funding for the Waterford Tugboat Roundup from Sept. 5 through Sept. 7. The event, which will take place at Waterford Harbor, will feature a marketplace of crafts, food and maritime memorabilia aboard historic tugboats. There will also be family-friendly activities and a fireworks display.
Clifton Park Canal Fest: Bicentennial Celebration
The town of Clifton Park has received a grant for its Clifton Park Canal Fest: Bicentennial Celebration. On Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, the Vischer Ferry Firehouse, General Store and Amity Reformed Church will turn back the clock with an antique car parade, a fife and drum band and horse-drawn wagon rides. There will also be live music, food trucks and artisans.
Locktoberfest
The village of Fort Edward's Canal Street Marketplace will use its grant money for Locktoberfest on Oct. 18. In celebration of autumn, the festival will take place on the grounds of a renovated 19th-century canal barn with regional food and artisan products, a local beer-tasting tent, free horse and wagon rides, and more.