by Maggie Fitzgibbons
It’s one of the biggest summer events held in the area and thousands will visit the village on the Erie Canal called Spencerport.
Each year, this annual event called the Spencerport Canal Days, celebrates summer with a host of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether it is the arts and crafts, food vendors, car show, canal event or performances, this community celebration always delights people of all ages.
Canal Days will take place Friday, July 27, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 in the Village of Spencerport. The weekend’s events include a car show, a wide variety of artists and performances, as well as the famous Canaligator Race.
The weekend kicks off with a street party on Friday evening at 7 p.m. with a performance by Ruby Shooz. A section of Union Street will be closed from Amity Street to West Avenue for this concert. The stage will be located in front of Abbott’s Ice Cream Shoppe.
“We are excited to begin the festivities with a show by Ruby Shooz. This well-known musical group is sure to provide some lively entertainment,” said Wendy Dandrea. She coordinates the arts and crafts, entertainment and commercial vendors for Canal Days.
The Canal Days Car Show will be held at Pineway Ponds Park on Union Street on Saturday, July 28. Registration is from 9 a.m. until noon, the awards ceremony begins at 3 p.m. This show is free and open to the public.
Over 75 artists will showcase their goods throughout the Canal Days weekend. These artists sell a variety of craft items like photos, jewelry, wooden kitchen items, and garden sculptures. Festival goers can find these crafters along Union Street and in the Firemen’s Field.
The ever-famous Canaligator Race is set for Sunday, July 29 at 4 p.m. Canaligator tickets may be purchased at The Unique Shop until July 27 or at the Canal Days Information Booth throughout the festival weekend. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to the first five and last five canaligators to cross the finish line. Tickets are $5.00 each or five for $20.00.
This year the weekend entertainment schedule includes performances at the Clyde Carter Gazebo located in front of the Firemen’s Field, a stage on Union Street and also at the Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum. On Saturday, July 28 at noon and 3:00 p.m., performers Annie and Al along the Canal, dressed in authentic clothing from the 1800s, will present Erie Canal stories and music. This duo will be located at the Depot. The popular strolling Banjo Man will roam through the village on Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. Steve Ingrahams Magic will present a show at noon and 3 p.m. at the Depot on Sunday, July 29.
Canal Days festival-goers are encouraged to park their vehicles at Terry Taylor Elementary School on Ogden Parma Town Line Road or at Spencerport High School on Spencerport Road and take a shuttle bus to and from the festival area. The shuttle service is free and buses will run every 15 to 20 minutes. Volunteer guides will ride the buses and give helpful information about navigating Canal Days.
For some area community organizations, like the Spencerport Kiwanis, Rotary and the Spencerport Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Canal Days provides an opportunity to raise funds for each of their worthwhile causes. Stop by any one of their food booths during Canal Days and purchase a chicken barbeque dinner, a hot dog or a hamburger or an Italian sausage and help these organizations continue their much needed outreach efforts.
Canal Days is one of the largest community events held in the area, but it also provides visitors with chance to learn about the community.
“Canal Days is a great way for others to see what our village and town has to offer,” said Ginny Swarthout, Canal Days Director.
For more information about any of these events or performances, refer to the listing in this Canal Days section or visit the Canal Days website at spencerportcanaldays.com.
