The Seneca Falls Canal Fest is ready to host thousands of visitors at this weekend’s celebration along both sides of the Seneca-Cayuga Canal in Seneca Falls.
The Canal Fest will offer an assortment of events that will provide entertainment for visitors of all ages including amusement rides and midway, petting zoo, dunking booth, zip line, the Aquacade Watercraft Parade, demonstrations, performances, presentations on the community stage, fireworks, Duck Races, adult beverage area, local live bands, and much more.
The Canal Fest begins Friday, July the 6th, with the start of the 17th Annual Women’s Right 2 Rock (WR2R) Music Festival and the opening of all vendor and entertainment areas. To top off the night, Nik and the Nice Guys will entertain the crowds starting at 8:00 PM on the Community Stage.
On Saturday, the celebration continues with the Aquacade Watercraft Parade at 4:00, the Burned Out Suns Band at 8:00, and completing the night will be the annual Fireworks display. Dennis Scannell, Canal Fest organizer, “We have tried to add new events to entertain our visitors. With addition of live headlining bands such as Nik and the Nice Guys, The Petty Thieves Band, Restless Band, and Sam Swanson, there will be hours of musical enjoyment.”
Ann Sandroni, SFBA President, “We are anticipating more visitors than last year. The growth of the Canal Fest has helped promote our downtown businesses and canal harbor. We are also promoting local organizations and this year we are offering everyone the opportunity to Dunk Somebody for a Cause at our Dunking Booth which will raise funds for individual community organizations.” On Sunday, Sam Swanson will be performing on the Community Stage beginning at 1:30 pm. At 3:00 pm the release of hundreds of ducks off of the It’s A Wonderful Life Bridge starts the 3rd Annual Harry Liddell Duck Race. With cash and prizes at stake, the ducks race through the Canal Harbor.
The Canal Fest invites boats and watercraft of any kind to participate in this year’s Aquacade Watercraft Parade. Cash prizes will be awarded to the most creative and entertaining craft. Decorated and non-decorated watercraft are welcome. “We’ve had kayaks win prizes in the past and businesses have decorated boats to promote their business. This unique event is a great way to get some free advertising, entertain the crowd, or to simply have some fun,” said Scannell, “This year the Locks are free and we have a boat launch that is also free of charge which is located at our Community Center. Plenty of parking has been allocated for boat trailers and vehicles. We are inviting all boaters from both Cayuga and Seneca Lakes to come on down to help make this the ‘Greatest Show That Floats’! Free docking will be available for all watercraft in the Canal Harbor, aka “The Wall”. Watercraft can remain throughout the event and the Canal Harbor offers free electrical and water hook-ups as well as phone & Internet services. Convenient shower and laundry facilities are also available. All participants must register in advance and when a boat leaves its “spot” to participate in the parade, those spots will be reserved.”
The Seneca Falls Business Association (SFBA) serves as the organizer of the festivities. “We would like to thank our many sponsors and volunteers, without them this event could not happen. We are excited to share what Seneca Falls has to offer and looking forward to all the smiling faces,” said Sandroni. More information is listed at www.senecafalls.com/canalfest and visit the Canal Fest’s Facebook page to receive the up-to-minute announcements at www.facebook.com/SFCanalFest. “This is a family friendly event. It’s an event that the entire community as well as the boating community can enjoy and be proud of. It has something for everyone. Is there anything better than seeing people laughing and dancing at the Canal Harbor?, Scannell added.
