The Beat

Syracuse, N.Y. – Ever seen a boat that folds flat to carry on your cartop? Stop by the Exhibit Center of the 2018 Central New York Boat Show now on at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse through Sunday, February 18. New York Sea Grant has its Inflate-A-Fleet exhibit on display with assorted inflatable and folding vessels, including a boat, kayak, and backpack paddleboard.

Syracuse, N.Y. (August 30, 2017) - The Great New York State Fair, New York Sea Grant and the H. Lee White Maritime Museum of Oswego will celebrate the first boat launch into the Fair Pond on Thursday, August 31 at 11:30 am at the west end of State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

Immediately after the launch on Thursday, New York Sea Grant and US Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel will present an on-water education demonstration aboard a stand-up paddleboard and in a kayak on how to identify and use approved life jackets.

Skaneateles, N.Y. – For more than 15 years, John Hawbecker, of Salem, S.C., has made the 850-mile drive to Skaneateles with his 1959 Chris-Craft ski boat, Infatuation, in tow to exhibit at the Antique and Classic Boat Show. This year will be no different.

“My wife and I love this show—it has the best entertainment and the friendliest people,” said Hawbecker, who attends several shows a year across the country.

Hudson Valley rivers and lakes are prime destinations for outdoor recreation.

Orange County, N.Y. (June 28, 2017) – With two magnificent rivers and countless lakes, Orange County, N.Y. is a destination of choice for visitors looking to get on the water this summer. To the east is the Hudson River for boating; and to the west is the Delaware for canoeing and rafting. Straddling the New Jersey border is Greenwood Lake, the county’s largest body of fresh water. In between, visitors will find smaller, pristine lakes that offer the perfect setting for fishing and more!…

Skaneateles, N.Y. – Gleaming wooden boats of a bygone era, old-time tunes to serenade visitors, family fun in a charming, picturesque village. It’s classic Americana. All that and more await you at the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show, July 28-30. The show, featuring some 90 boats displayed on water and land, runs 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Clift Park. Admission is free.

Ticonderoga, N.Y. – A boat tour aboard Fort Ticonderoga’s 60-foot Carillon not only provides visitors with breathtaking lake views of commanding mountains and the majestic fort, it also crosses some of the most archaeologically rich waters in North America. This latest attraction at Fort Ticonderoga, a major cultural destination, museum, and National Historic Landmark located in New York’s 6-million-acre Adirondack Park, offers passengers a unique travel experience. The 90-minute tour available daily Tuesday through Sunday features Ticonderoga’s epic story of one of North America’s most strategic strongholds and places the iconic fort into a larger context as part of the imperial struggle for the continent in the 18^th century.

Erie Canal Officially Opens Today for the Season
Dozens of Celebrations and Events Planned Across New York State to Mark Historic Milestone

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a series of celebrations and events being planned across New York State to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. An engineering marvel that stimulated trade, exploration and invention, the canal project created the first superhighway across New York, connecting Albany and Buffalo and improving transportation to and from New York City by linking the Hudson River to Lake Erie.

"The Erie Canal was critical in establishing New York as a national hub for commerce and industry, and today offers boaters unparalleled views and access to our canalside communities," Governor Cuomo said. "In commemorating this anniversary, we celebrate the canal’s rich heritage as well as its pivotal role in promoting economic development and tourism today. I urge visitors to come experience the many events planned for the bicentennial celebration."…

Deadline for Entries is August 31, 2017

Waterford, N.Y. – As New York celebrates the 200^th anniversary of the building of the Erie Canal in 2017, amateur and professional photographers are invited capture the canal corridor’s distinctive sense of place for the 12^th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Winning photos will be featured in the 2018 Erie Canalway calendar.

Images should convey the wealth of things to do and see along the waterway and express the unique character of the canal and canal communities.

Waterford, N.Y. - As the NYS Canal System gets set to open on May 19, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released nine new itineraries to lead people to great places and experiences along the Erie and Champlain Canals. The itineraries showcase some of the best historic sites, national and state parks, museums, and recreational experiences and are suited for weekend and day trips. Suggestions for cycling, hiking, paddling, and canal tours, as well as nearby places to eat or picnic are also included.

Southampton, N.Y. – The Southampton Historical Museum is now offering a one week maritime themed summer camp program at Conscience Point and this program is for children 9 – 14 years old! You can choose to sign your child up for one or both of the programs. The morning program is on the Physics of Sailing and all those young sailors who sign up will be turning canoes into sailing canoes. 

The afternoon program is all about Oceanography where those who sign up will spend the week learning all about marine chemistry, biology, ichthyology, and more! 

These programs will be run by Josh Belfry, Captain of Sea Scout Ship 908.