The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced the winners of its 18th Annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Judges selected first, second, and third place winners in four contest categories as well as 12 honorable mentions from a field of 314 entries.
Karen Millspaugh of Bergen won first place in the Classic Canal category for “Fall in Fairport.” Claire Talbot of Hilton received two third place awards, one for “Ice Skating at Canalside” (Buffalo) in the Canal Communities category, and one for “Trinity Church” (Seneca Falls) in the Classic Canal category.
“As we approach the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal in 2025, these images reveal to us what makes New York’s canals worth preserving, visiting, and celebrating. We congratulate the winners and appreciate everyone who entered and shared the places and activities they love along New York’s extraordinary canals,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
From colorful sunrises to fog to brilliant reflections, winning images highlight various seasons, moods, and activities along the canals.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “I send my heartfelt congratulations to the winners of this year’s annual photo contest, and my thanks to all of the exceptional photographers, amateur and professional alike, who participated. This year’s photos help us showcase the remarkable sights and recreational resources along the canal system. As celebrate the bicentennial of the Champlain Canal and prepare for the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s completion, they are a wonderful reminder of the Erie Canal’s legacy, impact, and presence in New York, both today and through generations of our history.”
Winning images can be viewed online at http://www.eriecanalway.org/gallery/photo-contests and will be featured in the 2024 Erie Canalway calendar. The popular calendar will be available for free at libraries, visitor centers, and by request beginning in December.
Provided information and photos
2023 Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners:
Canal Communities
1st Place, Harbor Reflections (Seneca Falls) by Frank Forte, Little Falls, NY
2nd Place, Tranquil Twilight (Fairport) by Jonathan Spurr, Fairport, NY
3rd Place, Ice Skating at Canalside (Buffalo) by Claire Talbot, Hilton, NY
Classic Canal
1st Place, Fall in Fairport (Fairport) by Karen Millspaugh, Bergen, NY
2nd Place, Basin Bridge (Bushnell’s Basin) by Sarah Woodams, Pittsford, NY
3rd Place, Trinity Church (Seneca Falls) by Claire Talbot, Hilton, NY
Along the Trail
1st Place, Erie Canal Fog (Pittsford) by Tom Kredo, Rochester, NY
2nd Place, Sunrise Along the Trail (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester, NY
3rd Place, Two Bridges (Fort Hunter) by Stefanie Obkirchner, Amsterdam, NY
On the Water
1st Place, Sunrise Kayak Paddle (Macedon) by Dan Judd, Rochester, NY
2nd Place, Great Blue Heron in Flight (Northumberland) by Susan Meyer, Schuylerville, NY
3rd Place, Paddling at Schoharie Crossing (Fort Hunter) by Frank Forte, Little Falls, NY
Honorable Mention Recipients (listed west to east)
A Golden USS The Sullivans (Buffalo) by Beverly Goldschmidt, Lewiston, NY
Mother and Daughter at Dusk (Greece) by Shaun Lewis, Rochester, NY
Green Heron on Old Submerged Barge (Pittsford) by Mark Janetos, Rochester, NY
Lift Bridge and Kennelley Park (Fairport) by Keith Boas, Fairport, NY
Buttermilk Falls State Park (Ithaca) by Mike Miroiu, Cortland, NY
Winter Clouds at the Erie Canal (Camillus) by Marcia Bower, Syracuse, NY
Sunset over the Old Erie (Fayetteville) by Adam Fine, Liverpool, NY
Hamilton College Crew (Rome) by Kevin Hoehn, Rome, NY
Mohawk River and Erie Canal (Little Falls) by Cliff Oram, Ilion, NY
Fireworks over the Flood Gates (Little Falls) by Dave Warner, Little Falls, NY
Lock E-2 (Waterford) by Dave Koschnick, Cohoes, NY
Sunrise over Northumberland Bridge (Northumberland) by Susan Meyer, Schuylerville, NY
