Brockport is preparing for its second annual Low Bridge, High Water celebration April 29 through May 4 and Mayor Margaret Blackman says “there’s a full schedule of events, particularly Saturday at the canal front. There’s lots of good stuff going on.”
The event celebrates the annual opening of the Erie Canal as well as the beginning of the recreational season along the historic waterway.
Blackman came up with the idea for the event in 2013 and this year’s celebration features six days of similar events, she says.
On Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m., Civil War music by the Golden Eagle String Band will be featured at the BVM Nativity Church, 152 Main Street. There is an admission charge of $5 and the concert is presented in conjunction with the local commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m., Justin Murphy and Annette Lein will present an illustrated talk at the Brockport Village Hall, 49 State Street, on “Cycling the Erie Canal.” A $2 donation is suggested.
Canal Society of New York president Tom Grasso returns this year with his slide talk, “A History of the Erie Canal,” on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Morgan Manning House, 151 Main Street. The program was so popular last year, Blackman says, that organizers wanted to bring Grasso back again this year.
Community members, College at Brockport faculty and staff are invited to a “Canal Themed First Friday” at the Alumni House, 142 Utica Street, Friday, May 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Village Trustee/Deputy Mayor Bill Andrews, “… is sponsoring a slide show and perhaps a trivia quiz,” Blackman says.
Later that evening at 6:30 p.m., a book project discussion on Heron’s Bend by Ruth Naparsteck and Richard Kron will be held at the Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street.
A full slate of activities is planned for Saturday, May 3 beginning at 10 a.m. with the “Barge Charge” 5K Race. Information on the entry fee/registration is available online athttps://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Brockport/BargeCharge5K. Day-of-race registration begins at 9 a.m. May 3 at Corbett Park located at the corner of Smith and Clark Streets. Contactwheat@brockportpolice.org with questions.
The Village to Village Sculling Regatta begins in Spencerport at 10 a.m. and boats arrive at the Brockport Welcome Center at approximately 11:15 a.m. for the finish.
“We are working to make this a destination weekend to promote Brockport as a destination,” Blackman says regarding the sculling regatta. Participants come from Canada and all over the U.S. for the event, she said.
From 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Golden Eagle String Band will present “Canal Songs” at the Canalfront Welcome Center on Water Street. At 11:30 a.m., a program entitled “Sail Away” – A National Water Dance Project – will be presented by the Interdisciplinary Arts for Children and Department of Dance at the College at Brockport/Oliver Middle School Children’s Dance II.
The main event of the celebration is set for 12 noon on Saturday at the Canal Front Welcome Center with the official canal opening ceremony, Regatta and Poster Competition Awards.
Brockport Central School Fourth Graders submit celebration-themed posters for the competition, which are displayed in windows of downtown merchants. First, Second, and Third place prizes are given as well as honorable mentions. Winning posters are displayed at A Different Path Gallery.
Following the opening ceremony, the Pizza Olympics will be held at the Welcome Center. Blackman says the Olympics will feature three Brockport pizza places – Main Street Pizza, Mark’s Pizzeria and Perri’s Pizza – and 50 free tickets will be given out to those attending the canal opening ceremonies.
“At the conclusion of the ceremonies at noon (those holding tickets) will sample the pizzas and vote on their favorites,” Blackman says.
She explains there will be different winning categories for the pizzas such as “best basic” and “best speciality.”
Those still hungry after the pizza contest can enjoy “A Taste of Brockport” from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at eight downtown locations including: 58 Main, Red Bird Café, A Different Path Gallery (catered by Ashley’s Place), Fazool’s, Jimmy Z’s Texas Hots, Java Junction, Coleen’s Café, Barber’s Grill.
Tickets are available prior to the event at participating locations and are $20 each. The evening of the event, tickets are available at the Welcome Center.
Taste of Brockport locations “will have music,” Blackman says, and participants should begin the evening at the Welcome Center to purchase tickets, if necessary, and to pick up a map and admission bracelet.
Low Bridge, High Water concludes on Sunday, May 4, with the CROP Walk from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The Walk leaves from the Newman Oratory and a portion of the event will follow the canal path.
At 2 p.m. “Historic Main Street” – a Brockport Community Museum panel – will be dedicated at Main and Market Streets and Pizza Olympics winners will be announced.
At 4 p.m., the Brockport Symphony Orchestra presents “Erie Canal Rhapsody” in the Seymour College Ballroom at the College at Brockport.
