New elements expand Canal Days' offerings

The Village of Spencerport will come alive with the festival sights, sounds and activities of the Canal Days celebration the weekend of July 24 and 25. The two-day event begins Saturday at 10 a.m. Fireworks at the Spencerport High School that evening cap off the first day. Sunday, July 25, the festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Canal Days, now in its 23rd year, has received a major facelift this year with the help of a new partnership with LeBeau Productions.

The Spencerport Canal Days Committee made the decision to partner with festival organizers Jim and Sue LeBeau of LeBeau Productions to try and instill some freshness in a festival that was due for changes. Ginny Swarthout, Canal Days Coordinator, says she is excited about the new offerings and is confident that festival goers will be pleased. Jim LeBeau feels the partnership has helped elevate Canal Days to one that is more on par with much larger events in Rochester. "We've brought in 80 to 100 vendors and crafters; real artisans, who sell only what they make. The quality will be more on par with the Lilac Festival," he states.

Some changes simply required the location of the activity. For example the children's activity area has been moved closer to the front of the Firemen's Field. Added areas of interest include a pony ride and inflatable toys to bounce on. As always, there will be "make and take" craft projects for families to do together.

Most of the music will take place right in the Gazebo. "What a natural place for performers," LeBeau said. The line-up includes local favorites such as the Greece Jazz Band; JB and Company, a local country band; and the Spencerport High School Jazz Band. Another group made up of students from Spencerport High School called Essential Soul, will also perform. The highlight of the weekend will be Saturday night's concert by Rochester's premiere party band, The Sky Coasters. They'll keep fireworks spectators entertained prior to the start of the display.

The free family concert is made possible by sponsorships from the Doan Family of Dealerships, ESL Federal Credit Union, and Assemblyman Bill Reilich who helped secure a state grant. The concert will be held on Spencerport High School grounds beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. A ground fireworks display immediately following the concert will close out the day.

Along with a wide variety of food vendors and artisans, the local merchants will also have their doors open wide eager to welcome customers. One of the hair salons, Cutting Loose, will be offering something a little different. "We're donating our time and tips to the Locks of Love organization," states Jackie Powley, co-owner of Cutting Loose. Locks of Love collects hair donations from salons around the country and uses the hair to make wigs for children who have suffered hair loss either through cancer treatments or other diseases. Powley, and her partner, Sharon Thomas, will cut hair for anyone wishing to donate it to the organization. The length of the pony tail after its been removed has to be 10-12" to qualify for donation. Cutting Loose will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. but Powley said if there is a need they will keep cutting hair after that time.

Local wildlife rehabilitators Gary and Trish Zimmerman are returning again this year. Their group, Black Creek Wildlife, will be on hand to educate the community about birds of prey.

At the DARE booth, gunlocks will be available and the staff will fingerprint children for parents' safety records. Following their Saturday morning pancake breakfast, the Masonic Lodge members will offer parents a chance to have a video taped interview of a child. Such records are helpful to police should the child be missing. The video tape is free.

Pineway Ponds Park will turn back the hands of time as cars from days gone by will roll in and line up to be judged. The show starts on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with registration; trophies will be awarded in many different classes at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday features the much anticipated Canoe Race on the Erie Canal. Beginning at 2 p.m., entrants will race from the Martha Street bridge to the Union Street life bridge competing for a first prize of $200, along with several other prizes of $50 each.

Raffle tickets for a grand prize of $500 can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce Booth and at The Unique Shop during both days of the festival. Tickets are $1 a piece or 3 for $2. The winning ticket will be drawn on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. Ticket purchasers do not need to be present to win.

Also for sale at the Chamber of Commerce booth will be t-shirts and hats featuring the Trolley Depot Restoration project. Proceeds will go towards the cost of relocating the Depot into the village.

Several committees for Canal Days can still use volunteers. To help call Ginny Swarthout at The Unique Shop, 352-1350, or visit the website at www.ogdenny.com/canaldays.