The Beat

Historic Gathering in New York City Commemorates Governor DeWitt Clinton's Original Voyage By Welcoming the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief at its Last Stop Since Leaving Buffalo on September 24

As the Erie Canal Begins its Third Century of Operation, Focus is on Maintaining a Safe, Resilient, Navigable Waterway that Supports Economic Development, Accessible Recreation, Arts and Culture, and Sustainability

Governor Kathy Hochul today marked the 200th anniversary of the opening of the original Erie Canal in New York City with the arrival of the Buffalo Maritime Center's Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. The boat is a replica of the original vessel Governor DeWitt Clinton traveled on from Buffalo to New York City in 1825. The current voyage began September 24 in Buffalo. The Seneca Chief made 28 stops along the Erie Canal and Hudson River before ending its journey at Pier 26 at Hudson River Park in New York City on October 26.

Waterford, N.Y. - The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation, and events along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail. Applications are open now through November 21, 2025.

The daylong sendoff to summer at Canalside packs in more than 15 activities for all ages

View the full schedule of events at ErieCanalTurns200.com

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) encourages all to join in one last huzzah for summer during a day filled with Erie Canal-themed programming on Sunday, September 21, at Canalside in Buffalo. During this send-off to the season and commemoration of the Erie Canal bicentennial, activities will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Most events are free. The full schedule is available at ErieCanalTurns200.com.  The all-day community event also kicks off the World Canals Conference, hosted this year in Buffalo, and tees up the departure of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief.

NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grant Applicants Encouraged to Attend

Waterford, NY - The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering two virtual workshops in advance of opening the 2026 funding round of NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants on October 14. The workshops are focused on helping grant applicants improve accessibility for their projects and events so that they serve people with and without disabilities.

Registration for the world-class waterways conference closes Sept. 12, 2025

Buffalo, N.Y. (Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025)-  A world-class program that highlights some of the most exciting and innovative activities on the world’s waterways is set to take place Sept. 21-25 at the 2025 World Canals Conference (WCC 2025) in Buffalo. Registration is open for one-day or full conference attendance through Sept. 12.

The Official Beer of the Erie Canal Bicentennial Voyage

Public Invited to August 21 Tasting & Release Event at Big Ditch Brewing Lockport Tap Room

Buffalo, N.Y. (August 14, 2025) – Buffalo Maritime Center and Big Ditch Brewing Company are proud to introduce Long Haul, the official beer of the 2025 Bicentennial Voyage of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. To celebrate, the public is invited to the Long Haul Bicentennial Voyage Brew Release Event on Thursday, August 21, 2025, featuring a press conference, tours of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, and a special tasting reception in Lockport, NY, where the commemorative lager will be available for purchase.

From Buffalo to New York City, the ‘Seneca Chief’ will travel 500 miles over 33 days, stopping at 28 ports to commemorate the Erie Canal and connect communities.

With generous support from M&T Bank, the Bicentennial Voyage provides a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to experience the canal’s rich history.

Buffalo, N.Y. (August 7, 2025) – To mark the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening, the Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC) has built a full-scale replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief – the vessel that first journeyed from Buffalo to New York City to mark the canal’s completion. Constructed by nearly 200 volunteers and students between October 2020 and its launch in June 2024, the wooden boat was handcrafted in full public view inside the Longshed at Canalside on Buffalo’s waterfront.

Seneca Falls, NY - Women’s Rights National Historical Park will host a special temporary exhibit to commemorate the Erie Canal Bicentennial beginning Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Entitled “Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal,” the exhibit focuses on the evolution of the Erie Canal and its role in the development of Central and Western New York. This exhibit is supported by the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park.

Wurtsboro, NY (June 2, 2025) – Join the Town of Mamakating and the Village of Wurtsboro on Sunday, July 13, 2025, for a full day of festivities celebrating the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Canal. This free, family-friendly event will include a parade, historic reenactments, music, living history displays, and a period costume ball.

With Investment and vision for its next century of operation

Commitment to Waterway Ensures a Thriving Destination for Recreation, Tourism, Economic Development, Commerce and Culture

Official Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Poster Available Here 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State is continuing to invest in the New York State Canal system through a $50 million allocation in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget as the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial navigation season begins. The capital funding secured through the state, the second in two years, builds upon the annual investment into the waterway’s core operation and maintenance by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation, and supports the vision put forth by the Canal Recreationway Commission in the recently published Canal Recreationway 2050 Plan.