The Beat

Cayuga County, N.Y. (April 2025) – The Erie Canal, a defining feature of New York’s history and development, is celebrating its bicentennial in 2025, and Cayuga County is ready to welcome history enthusiasts eager to honor this milestone. With a rich canal heritage and a full lineup of engaging events and resources, visitors can immerse themselves in the stories, sights, and experiences that have shaped the region for two centuries.

Utica, N.Y. (January 23, 2025) – “Got an old mule and her name is Sal, 15 miles on the Erie Canal!” These famous lyrics from the classic song The Erie Canal remind us of the waterway’s rich history—and now, the canal is celebrating an incredible milestone: 200 years! 

To commemorate this bicentennial anniversary, Oneida County Tourism (OCT) is inviting you to share your love for the canal by entering the Oneida County Tourism Capture the Canal photo contest. This is your chance to showcase your talent, celebrate your community and make history right here in Oneida County. Winning photos will be featured in the OCT Destination Guide, on social media, and our website.

To Commemorate 200th Anniversary of the Original Waterway’s Completion and Continued Impact On New York

Introduced in the 2024 State of the State Address, Commission Will Be Responsible for a Robust Calendar of Events and Activities Throughout the Next Two Years

Celebration Will Culminate At 2025 World Canals Conference, Held In Buffalo Next Year  

Governor Hochul today announced the creation of the Erie Canal Bicentennial Commission to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the completion of the original Erie Canal. Initially introduced as part of the Governor’s State of the State Address in January, this new commission will ensure that the Erie Canal Bicentennial is recognized through community events, capital investments in canal infrastructure, and by telling the diverse stories that comprise the state’s relationship with this historic waterway. These tangible endeavors to be undertaken throughout 2024 and 2025 will set the tone and stage for the next century of operations and opportunities along the iconic New York State Canal system.

Millersburg, OH (April 10, 2024) – The National Scenic Byway Foundation congratulates the Lakes to Locks Passage All-American Road of New York State, one of America’s Byways, as a winner of our 2024 Byway Award for Visitor Experience. This is one of the Foundation’s eight national awards presented annually.

The Lakes to Locks Passage Byway organization designed The Turning Point Trail. This trail guides you through 200 miles of the Byway's storied landscape, illustrating the events that led up to the Battles of Saratoga, which many historians have called the “turning point of the American Revolution.” …

Buffalo, N.Y. -- At approximately 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the Buffalo Maritime Center will launch the traditionally built, full-sized replica of the historic Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief that opened the Erie Canal in 1825.

Interactive, Multimedia Exhibits at the Longshed Building will be the Starting Point for Visitors During 2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemoration

Buffalo to Host World Canals Conference in 2025

 See Renderings of the Visitors Experience Here  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced plans for “Waterway of Change: A Complex Legacy of the Erie Canal,” a new Erie Canal bicentennial visitors experience at Canalside in Buffalo. On May 7, after four years of construction in the Longshed, the replica Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will move out to make way for interior construction and installation of the new experience in the building.  Work will be completed in time for next year’s Erie Canal Bicentennial. Renderings are available here. …

Participants Will Celebrate New York’s Public Lands by Volunteering in Cleanup and Stewardship Events Throughout the State

Events Include Canal Clean Sweep from April 19-21 and I Love My Park Day on May 4

Efforts Align With Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Announcement to Plant 25 Million Trees Across New York State by 2033  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State agencies and partners will celebrate a series of stewardship days to help enhance parks, historic sites and public lands. Service projects during four events held throughout the year will raise awareness and visibility of the state’s many outdoor recreation assets and their needs during the Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days.

The City of Little Falls, City of Amsterdam, Village of Schuylerville and Town of Fort Edward to join the innovative Empire State Trail-based economic development program 

Albany, NY – The Empire State Trail Town program recognizes and supports New York’s exceptional trailside communities that have–through a competitive application process–demonstrated a singular commitment to leveraging the full economic potential of the Empire State Trail. The popular program, now entering its third year, is designed to build capacity and guide communities through the process of identifying ways they can capitalize on their location along the longest single-state, multi-use trail in the nation–the Empire State Trail.

Buffalo Artist Nicole Cherry and Rigidized Metal’s Work BUF Installed as Permanent Waterfront Exhibit

See picture of the sculpture here.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN) today announced the unveiling of a new permanent sculpture at Canalside. The piece, which is called BUF, has been installed on Marine Drive, near the Hanover intersection. The steel 3-D letters, 5 feet tall and weighing more than 1,000 pounds, represent the waterfront’s latest piece of public art located and is sure to create many Instragrammable moments. It was designed and fabricated by Rigidized Metals, then painted by Buffalo artist Nicole Cherry.