The Beat

Exciting new family-friendly, low-cost addition to Buffalo’s Waterfront

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Buffalo Waterfront Management Group (BWMG) today announced that the canals at Canalside are converted into a giant roller rink that is now open and will roll through the fall season until October 31. At more than 30,000 square feet, the Roller Rink at Canalside, in partnership with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, is the largest outdoor roller-skating rink in New York State.

Utica, N.Y. - This year marks the 9th anniversary of the award-winning Tuesdays on the Towpath recreational bike ride series. Where riders experience sites on or around the Erie Canal at an easy pace. The rides are guided and typically include a speaker who will illuminate history, ecology, and other topics along the route. 

On August 24, 2021, the Oneida County History Center will host a ride in the Utica area. The ride will start at Lock 20 in Marcy and ride east to travel along the 1919 Barge Canal.  Riders will stop along the way to learn about the canal including the location of “The Cut.” dug on the Mohawk River in 1730. This was the first artificial channel for navigation created in what would become New York State and it symbolizes the beginning of the Canal Age.  This six-mile journey is flat and will ride out to the Utica Marsh and back.

Exciting new family-friendly, low-cost addition to Buffalo’s Waterfront

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Buffalo Waterfront Management Group (BWMG) today announced that the canals at Canalside will be converted into a giant roller rink that will open on August 20 and roll through the fall season to October 31. At more than 30,000 square feet, the Roller Rink at Canalside, in partnership with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, will be the largest outdoor roller-skating rink in New York State.

Waterford, NY - The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is pleased to announce upcoming events to invite people of all abilities to try cycling and paddling along the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail. The events will offer equipment like adaptive bicycles and kayaks to assist with accessibility needs, and an opportunity to meet others who are recreating along the canals.

Waterford, NY - The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the National Park Foundation and WCNY-TV, are pleased to announce the premier showing of Floating Ideas: How the Erie Canal Helped Shape America on WCNY-TV on June 29 at 9 pm ET. The half-hour documentary airs again on WCNY-TV on July 4 at 1 pm ET and premieres on YouTube on July 6.

Floating Ideas: How the Erie Canal Helped Shape America examines the spread of ideas along the Erie Canal, with an emphasis on women’s rights, suffrage, and the quest for social justice.

Deadline for Submission: August 27, 2021

Waterford, N.Y. – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its 16^th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Images should convey the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Entries must be postmarked by August 27, 2021. Winning photos will be featured in the 2022 Erie Canalway calendar.

Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.

2021 New Attractions Include: Historic Carousel, Air Show, New and Expanded Beer Gardens, Interactive Art Installation, the Return of Shark Girl and Additional Food Options

 Full event and programming details available at www.buffalowaterfront.com

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Be Our Guest (BRG) today announced an exciting 2021 season at the Buffalo Waterfront, with activities from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.  Summer on the waterfront will see some exciting new attractions, including the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, new and expanded beer gardens, international touring light exhibit and a wide variety of food options.

Festivals and events celebrate the Erie Canalway’s heritage, recreational assets, and unique communities

Waterford, NY - The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation have teamed up to sponsor 26 festivals and events in 2021 to showcase the Canalway Corridor’s nationally significant heritage and the tremendous recreational appeal of the waterway and Canalway Trail. Events include recreational activities, tours, concerts, and heritage celebrations.

Walk, run, cycle, roll, or paddle to achieve your mileage goal

Waterford, N.Y. – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor invites New Yorkers to take part in the Canalway Challenge in 2021 and enjoy the great outdoors along New York’s canals and Canalway Trails. Participants choose a mileage goal of 15, 90, 180, or 360 miles. They then walk, run or cycle on the Canalway Trail or paddle on the NYS Canal System to achieve it. People with disabilities are welcome to participate in a 1^st Mile Challenge by completing one mile.

Individuals and groups invited to adopt a section 

Waterford, N.Y. – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, has launched the NYS Canalway Water Trail Stewardship Program to help ensure the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain, and Oswego canals are welcoming and safe for paddlers. Individuals, families, groups, and organizations are invited to adopt a section of the 450-mile NYS Canalway Water Trail from May through October.