Canal Corporation And Partners Kick Off 2nd Annual Canal Splash!

New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello today joined representatives from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Parks & Trails New York, State and local officials and community organizers at Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, Schenectady County, to kick off the 2nd annual Canal Splash!

Canal Splash! is a weekend-long celebration of the history, culture, recreational appeal and beauty of the New York State Canal System, the Canalway Trail and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The three-day, multi-location celebration takes place August 10-12, 2007 and features 100 activities including nature walks, educational exhibits, boating events and races, musical performances and tours.

Director Mantello said, "The Canal Corporation is pleased to partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Parks & Trails New York to make this year’s Canal Splash! even bigger and better than last year. The Second Annual Canal Splash! has something for the whole family to enjoy. With 100 events and activities planned throughout the upcoming weekend, residents and visitors are encouraged to join in the festivities and help celebrate the many recreational, historical and cultural assets available throughout the Canalway Corridor."

Frank Dean, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said, "We are proud to help promote the many events taking places in communities all across the state. Enjoying and exploring the Erie Canalway at Canal Splash! goes hand in hand with protecting this nationally-significant part of our heritage."

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York said, "The New York State Canal System offers so much to see and do, from boating to bicycling to visiting the many and varied museums and historic sites. The Canal Splash offers a fun sampling of the many activities possible along the canals, and will surely inspire many return visits."

The Mabee Farm Historic Site is hosting one of the many Capital Region events planned for the August 10-12 Canal Splash!. The Mabee Farm Historic Site, located directly on the Erie Canal, is the oldest standing home in the Mohawk Valley, and one of the oldest farms in New York State. In 1993, the Schenectady County Historical Society was given the site and has continued to develop the farm site as a museum and educational center for the community and holds Colonial events, workshops, tours and educational programs which reflect the historical significance of this early Mohawk River farmstead. On August 10-11, the public can tour the site from 10:00am – 4:00pm at a cost of $3.00 per person.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley said, "The Mabee Farm is a perfect site for this event launching the Canal Splash! weekend. Today, our waterway system is a rich recreational and environmental resource. But, as this oldest standing homestead in the Mohawk Valley testifies, our rivers and canals defined the commerce and culture of New York from the very beginning. I commend Director Mantello, the Canal Corporation, and all of their partners for continuing and expanding this diverse and exciting celebration."

State Assemblyman George Amedore said, "As a newly elected assemblyman, I look forward to building partnerships with the hardworking men and women who have made the Canal Splash! celebration possible. I commend the Canal Corporation and all their partners for the wonderful work they have done to celebrate our local heritage, and I am honored to join them in launching the Canal Splash! weekend."

Following are highlights of Canal Splash! events taking place throughout the State this weekend:

Champlain Canal Region

3rd Annual Cardboard Boat Race

– Schuylerville, NY

Come join the fun as a spectator or enter the race. Build a human powered boat made of corrugated cardboard or 100% recycled materials that will hold one crewmember and be seaworthy on the Hudson River in Schuylerville.

Ranger Tours

– Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor – Waterford, NY

Participate in interpretive tours of Peebles Island, Matton’s Shipyard, and Lock 2 of the Erie Canal from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Erie Canal Region

Spencerport Canal Splash!

– Spencerport, NY

Enjoy a day of activities, including a 5K Race (12 years old and up) along the Canal Towpath, Bike Ride, Kayak and Canoe events, fishing contest, watermelon eating contest, scavenger hunt, children’s activity tent and historical tour as well as an art show and entertainment.

Pirates of the Erie Canal

– Palmyra, NY

The weekend will be packed with exciting things to do, including: free Lois McClure tours, wandering magicians, story telling, live music, walking tours, children's games and activities, sidewalk sales, museum tours, chicken BBQ, pirate costume contests, community picnic and lots more pirate fun!

A Gem of a Canal Splash!

– Herkimer, NY

Enjoy specials all weekend, including a $1000.00 "Grand of a Give-A-Way", discounts at 68 shops; special family fun activities, special Lil'Diamond Boat Cruises (60 passengers) and special BBQ at Waterfront Grille (along with other menu items).

Ogle an Eagle

– Lock 7 Canal Park, Niskayuna, NY

Come take a gander at our fine feathered friends along the enchanting Erie Canal/Mohawk River. Bird experts from NYS DEC Five Rivers Environmental Education Center will staff a viewing station to help you tell the gulls from the buoys.

Oswego Canal

Kayak and Canoe Poker Run

– Phoenix, NY

Get ready, set and go join this 4-mile race on the Oswego Canal from Lock 1 south toward Syracuse and Treasure Island.

Fulton Farmer’s Market

– Fulton, NY

Plenty of fresh food and goods await you at this Farmer’s Market at Canalview Center from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11.

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series at Watkins Glen

– Watkins Glen, NY

Feel the motors roar as the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series returns in 2007 for their 21st time and will once again turn left and right during its traditional weekend, August 9-12.

Erie Canal Photo Display & Exhibit

– Weedsport, NY

Discover a comprehensive collection of historic photography and artifact display celebrating Erie Canal history.

Limited Release Wine Tasting

– Romulus, NY

Come enjoy award-winning Finger Lakes wines on Saturday, August 11 at Swedish Hill Vineyard during this free limited release tasting.

For more information about these activities and a complete list of Canal Splash! events by Canal region and county, download an event program at http://www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/special-events/canal-splash.pdf.. Additional information also is available at http://www.johnnymilleradventures.com/.

The New York State Canal Corporation is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across the New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture. For more information regarding events and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.