Spencerport Canal Days Car Show
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
Car enthusiasts from all around flock to the Spencerport Canal Days Car Show to see hundreds of the area’s best cars and to visit with their owners, who have made their vehicles a labor of love. In its 30th year, the show takes place Saturday, July 30, at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post 330 at 691 Trimmer Road. Shuttle buses will run from Spencerport High School from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon with a fee of $20 after July 24 and no refunds. The first 200 registrants receive a dash plaque, and there are plenty of door prizes, plus a 50/50 raffle. Awards are presented at 3 p.m.
As in past years, breakfast is available from 8 to 11 a.m. inside the American Legion. Barton’s Parkside Hots will be on hand for lunch beginning at 11 a.m. until the end of the show. Music will be provided by Bobby “Rocker” Fredericks – The Music Man.
Cars, which generally range from the early 1900s through the present, are judged by a panel using a point system based on criteria such as cleanliness, paint, and engine condition. A Best of Show, the top 40, and 20 specialty trophies are awarded.
Proceeds from the Spencerport Canal Days Car Show go back to the community with the most recent donations provided to the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post 330 for their kitchen renovation, the Ogden Senior Center to help buy a new chair lift, and Spencerport Eagle Star Housing to purchase a new television.
Unique crafts from around the country showcased at Spencerport Canal Days
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
It isn’t everywhere that you can purchase handmade items made from rope that was used on Alaskan fishing boats. After moving from Palmer, Alaska, to Clifton Springs, New York, by way of Nevada, Rodney Almandinger searched online for craft shows in NY where he could sell the items he learned to make after spending 20 years on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska.
“I come from a family of crafters,” said Almandinger. “My mom was a fiber artist and knew how to dye used fishing rope that normally gets thrown away.” They clean the rope and then dye it by boiling it on the stove which cooks in the color. “The more used the rope is, the easier it is to give color,” he said.
Almandigner’s mom has since passed away, but he and his son, Gavin, continue to work with the rope, creating trivets, coasters, bowls, wine bottle openers, clocks, wind chimes, and mirrors. They also work with fused and stained glass. “I raised two kids just doing craft shows in Alaska,” said Almandinger. “So, when I moved here, I began searching for craft shows and found Canal Days.” View Almandinger’s work on his Facebook page, Touch of Alaska.
Kandy Liguori’s crafting story is much different. She was working at an independent senior living community when she brought in a little piece she had made from a wood burning kit she purchased at Michaels. A coworker saw the piece and offered to let her borrow his professional wood burning set. “By the time I needed to give it back, I was hooked and knew I had to get my own,” said Liguori. “I find wood burning to be very relaxing and learned the techniques as I went along. After a while you need to do something with all those pieces, so I applied to a couple of craft shows.” Liguori now participates in a lot of the festivals around Rochester and the surrounding area and receives many orders for custom pieces. Her business, Burnt by Design, can also be found on Facebook.
In addition to Almandinger and Liguori, many new crafters will be displaying their work at Canal Days this year. Vendors from Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, plus around New York State will travel to Spencerport with items such as specialty foods, jewelry, pet items, wooden items, canvas wall hangings, clothing, paintings, silk floral arrangements, hand painted and fused glass, candles, fabric items, bath and body products, upcycled vintage silverware, books and much more.
Spencerport Canal Days is more than just a summer festival
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
Spencerport Canal Days has provided two days of summer fun for attendees of all ages for nearly 40 years and was greatly missed during the pandemic. But many do not know that all proceeds from the Wine Tasting Tent, the Canaligator Race, and the Car Show are given back to worthwhile organizations if enough funds are generated to cover the event expenses.
In 2019, the last time Canal Days was held, the Wine Tasting Committee donated a bench to the Village of Spencerport that was placed along the canal. The Car Show gave a TV to the Eagle Star House, funds to the Ogden Senior Center to help buy a new chair lift, and funds to the Ferris Goodridge Post #330 to help with their kitchen renovation.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of volunteers, the popular Canaligator Race will not be held this year. In 2019, a check for $1,450 was presented to the Aurora House of Western Monroe County, a hospice in Spencerport, and a check for $1,250 was presented to the Spencerport Ecumenical Food Shelf to provide food to families in need in the Spencerport area. “The Canaligator Race was always a way for Canal Days to give back to the community as all funds raised were donated to worthy causes,” said Ginny Swarthout, Canal Days Committee chair.
The Canal Days Committee has also been generous with donations to the Ogden Special Police. The funds have been used to purchase protective vests for nine officers and two aluminum folding barricades that are used for traffic control. “The Ogden Special Police are very appreciative of the generosity and support from the Canal Days Committee and we are glad that Canal Days have returned to Spencerport,” said Peter Zambuto, Ogden Special Police chief.
“Canal Days is a fun experience for attendees but has also been a proven way to give back to the community,” said Swarthout. “Over the years we have been able to donate funds to the Town of Ogden, Village of Spencerport and a variety of organizations, and have helped fund projects that might not have been possible otherwise. We hope to be able to again this year, even though expenses have increased considerably.”
Come to the party at the 39th Annual Spencerport Canal Days
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
Blues, country, dance, big band – no matter what your music preference, the entertainment at Spencerport Canal Days is sure to please.
All performances are in the Fireman’s Field Entertainment Tent with plenty of chairs for visitors to relax in and enjoy the entertainment.
First Congregational Church to host Children’s Activity Tent
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
Volunteers from the First Congregational Church of Spencerport UCC have stepped up to host this year’s Children’s Activity Tent at Spencerport Canal Days. “Our congregation wants to be active participants in our community,” said Sue Bagley, who is coordinating the event. “When we learned that the children’s craft tent needed people to supervise the activities, we gladly volunteered for the opportunity.”
Located in the back of the Firemen’s Field near the fence, the Children’s Activity Tent will have an assortment of crafts available for kids of all ages, including paper plate fish, patriotic windsocks, popsicle stick art, and butterflies. There is a nominal charge for some activities and donations are gladly accepted.
Children of all ages are welcome. Parents/guardians are asked to accompany their children while they work on their projects.
“Spencerport is a wonderful community; it’s our home,” added Bagley. “We hope people will come out and enjoy this summertime event!”
Spencerport Canal Days is the place for fun fair food
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
With a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the delicious food offered at Spencerport Canal Days has been greatly missed. Well get your taste buds ready because you won’t go hungry thanks to these food vendors:
•Agatina’s – sliders, arancini, chicken parm sliders, chicken French bites, meatballs, cannoli and more.
•House of Whacks – Wacky and delicious waffle pops.
•Kettle Corn Shoppe – always a favorite – kettle corn, gourmet popcorn and fresh squeezed lemonade to enjoy while you walk and take home to enjoy later.
•Mayer’s Concessions – Fried dough and portable desserts on a stick.
•Popup and Eats – A variety of spiedies (cubes of marinated meat on a bun) and tasty sides.
•Red Osier & Cheesy Eddie’s – Two of Rochester’s favorites will be together: Red Osier offering their famous roast beef on a fresh roll with their signature au jus; and Cheesy Eddie’s with their world-famous cheesecake.
•Rob’s Sweet Tooth – Novelty ice cream, cookies, macaroons, and pastries.
•Tom Wahl’s – Famous cheeseburgers, ground steak sandwiches, “Junker plates,” hots, French fries, mac salad, homemade root beer, and soft serve ice cream.
•Wraps on Wheels – A lighter choice featuring a variety of wraps, including a cranberry blue chicken wrap and roasted veggie wrap, plus fries and beverages.
And, local restaurants, such as Clutch on the Canal, McColley’s, Slayton Place, Texas Bar-B-Que Joint and Union Street Coffee House, will all be open for business.
Spencerport Canal Days runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31.
Volunteers needed to make Canal Days 2023 possible
by Grace Scism for the Canal Days Committee
The engine that runs Spencerport Canal Days is a group of dedicated volunteers. Unfortunately, the volunteer pool is running dry and new faces are needed to step up in order to make Spencerport Canal Days 2023 a reality. Many key positions need to be filled:
•Co-coordinators to work with the director
•Craft committee members
•Rental coordinator
•Food coordinator
•Commercial vendor coordinator
•Solicitation committee volunteers
•Co-coordinator for advertising
•Entertainment committee volunteers
•Coordinator and recruiter
for the information booths
•Coordinator and recruiter
for garbage detail
•Car show volunteers
•Tasting Tent volunteers
•Coordinator and recruiter
for the set up and tear down crew
This does not count the over 50 volunteers needed for the two days of the event. “Our ten member Board of Directors has been covering these positions as well as their own dedicated positions and we have decided it is too much for us to continue doing,” said Ginny Swarthout, Canal Day Committee chair. “We love the event and want it to continue, but we must have committed help.”
Anyone with a few spare hours, a penchant for organization, a talent for mobilizing volunteers, or just a love for the Village of Spencerport and this community event, please contact Ginny Swarthout at Spencerportcanaldays35@gmail.com or 585-352-1350 to learn how you can help make Spencerport Canal Days 2023 a reality.
Click here to view the entire special section, including the event schedule, vendor list and map.
