Posted on July 26th, 2010 in
New York
By Danielle Sanzone, The Record, link to original post – click here for photos & video The New York State Canal Corporation announced Thursday that this year’s World Canals Conference Flotilla will depart on Sept. 13 from Waterford to meet up with other historic and pleasure boats on Sept. 19 in Rochester for the worldwide meeting of 18 countries. The Flotilla will leave from the entrance to the Erie Canal following the weekend of the Tugboat Roundup, one of Waterford’s popular canal events. “I really cannot express how far Waterford has come,” said canal corporation director Carmella Mantello. “I live across the river and can see this first hand. They really get it here. A number of local officials and volunteers work day in and day out to make sure boaters enjoy their day and come back.” To mark the designation and start of registration for private boaters and tour boats to join the 2010 World Canals Conference Flotilla, simultaneous ceremonies were held on Thursday to raise the official WCC flag in Waterford, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Sylvan Beach, Baldwinsville, Lyons, Pittsford, and Corn Hill Landing. It was a busy boating day at the Waterford Harbor Visitor’s Center with a crowded dock just outside of Lock 2. Boaters, some from New Jersey and beyond, enjoyed the event as well. “It’s kind of crowded here today,” said harbormaster Dick Hurst. “I think what’s happening here is highlighting what Carmella and the canal corporation have partnered with us to work for. People are coming here, enjoying Broad Street, spending money on that street, and helping businesses. This is what people come here for – whether a Flotilla or our great Tugboat Roundup.” The Flotilla of historic working canal vessels and pleasure boats will travel from the east and the west along the Erie Canal and meet up on Sept. 19 at Corn Hill Landing in Rochester on the Genesee Arm of the Erie Canal for a grand parade and festive watery salute. “It’s going to be fun too, not all work,” said Beth Sciumeca, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “There’s going to be tours and entertainment and music.” The Boys of Wexford, for example, will be accompanying the Flotilla coming out of Waterford. “I swam in these waters and fished in this canal. I have great memories of Waterford,” said Mike McGarry, a member of the band who grew up in Waterford. Several officials, including Waterford town Boardman Dave Ball and Deputy Supervisor Liz Callaghan, helped raise the WCC flag on Thursday in front of the Visitor’s Center. The 2010 WCC is hosted by the Canal Society of New York State, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Hundreds of delegates from about 18 countries will be attending from Sept. 19 to Sept. 24 to discuss economic development and tourism on the canals and waterways. “The canal has it all – fishing, boating, hiking. The canal is alive. We will show the world in September what we have here in our backyard,” said Mantello. Filed under: Albany , Erie Canal , History , Rochester Tagged: Amsterdam , Baldwinsville , Canal Society of New York State , Corn Hill Landing , Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor , historic working canal vessels , little falls , Lyons , new york state canal corporation , pittsford , Sylvan Beach , Tugboat Roundup , Waterford , Waterford NY , World Canals Conference
Continue Reading Erie Canal Flotilla from Waterford to Rochester – Sept 13-19
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