The Beat

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.

Waterford, N.Y. - The public is invited to pick up a free 2024 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor calendar starting December 1, 2023 at selected libraries and visitor centers throughout the National Heritage Corridor. The calendar features winning images from this year’s Erie Canalway photo contest. 

“This calendar is a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary scenic beauty, history, and recreational opportunities of the New York State Canal System. Stretching across the full expanse of upstate New York, the canals are an amazing asset for communities, residents, and visitors alike. We hope people pick up a calendar and feel inspired to preserve and enjoy this historic waterway,” said Bob Radliff, Erie Canalway Executive Director.

All Canal Locks and Lift Bridges Operating Today through October 11th

Free On the Canals Excursions Return with Expanded Offerings

Champlain Canal Celebrates Bicentennial

Photos & Video: First Vessels Entering Erie Canal At Waterford 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the 2023 Navigation Season for the 524-mile New York State Canal system, kicking off the 199th consecutive opening of the historic waterways. Locks and lift bridges on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals will operate daily today through October 11th, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and sightseeing to tourists, canal enthusiasts and all New Yorkers.

Waterford, N.Y. – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor invites New Yorkers to take part in the Canalway Challenge in 2023. The free program welcomes people of all ages and abilities to set a personal mileage goal and then walk, run, cycle, or paddle along the NYS Canal System to achieve it and receive recognition and rewards.

Participants can choose from a range of mileage options, including 15 miles, 90 miles, 180 miles, and 360 miles. A 1^st Mile Challenge is open to people with mobility challenges.