For more than 24 years the organizers of the Spencerport Canal Days have been providing residents and out-of-towners with two days of festival fun, children's activities, music and the chance to view a premier car show. "I've done the organization in the past but I stepped up to the plate last year when there was a concern that we might not have a Canal Days event," Coordinator Ginny Swarthout said. "We have such great chair people for the event that it's a joy to be involved." When asked why it is important to keep the event running, Swarthout said, "Canal Days puts Spencerport on the map," she said. "It makes the rest of the area realize there are some good things happening on the west side. And, we are proud of our community." A year ago the Spencerport Canal Days committee decided to partner with festival organizers Jim and Sue LeBeau of Beau Productions. Their help, the committee members decided, would breathe some new life into the festivities. "Our participation has helped elevate the Canal Days event to the larger festivals in the Rochester area," LeBeau said. "There are more than 100 arts and crafts vendors lined up." The arts and crafts vendors submit to a screening process which assures high quality, unique crafts are displayed for visitors to the festival. The vendor products range from paintings to drawings, jewelry, fiber and ceramics to sculptures, photography, woodworking, glass and many other types. The children's activity tent will once again be located toward the front of the Firemen's Field and will again include a pony ride and a variety of inflatable toys. The make and take craft activities tent will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Many of the musical performances will take place at the Gazebo that overlooks the canal. "It's a natural choice for performances," LeBeau said. Swarthout said the committee likes working with the LeBeaus because they are locals and understand and care about Spencerport. "Saturdays' car show at Pineways Ponds is a big event for us," Swarthout said. "People look forward to that every year." With all of the activity and walking traffic on the two days of the event, merchants will open their doors and welcome customers to their establishments. There will be more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, three food courts and a chicken barbecue put on by the Spencerport Firemen. The canal canoe race, Swarthout said, is also a festival favorite. That takes place beginning at the Martha Street bridge on Sunday at 1 p.m. There will also be a raffle with a $500 grand prize put on by the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce. The winning ticket will be drawn Sunday at 5 p.m. The holder of the winning ticket need not be present to win. More information on the event can be obtained by calling Swarthout at the Unique Shop at 352-1350 or by visiting the website at www.ogdenny.com/canaldays. Festival music to fill the air Festival Organizer Jim LeBeau from Beau Productions announced a musical line up that ranges from hometown favorites to the nationally known Nik & the Nice Guys. Hometown favorite Ann Mitchell Jazz will be performing during the two day event. Mitchell has performed at the Canal Days event in the past with different bands, she said. "I love performing in my hometown because I get to see so many people that I know - people that might not make it out to hear us perform at our other venues," she said. "There are just a lot of neat things and great bands that perform here over the course of the two days." Entertainment takes place on the Gazebo Stage, the Union Street Stage and at the Spencerport High School Soccer Stadium. LeBeau said the musical line up this year is "incredible." Student-led band The Ballistics will perform Saturday. This will be their second year performing at Canal Days. Brittany Solt, of Spencerport, is responsible for pulling together the members of the band, her mother Susan said. "The band has played in several area venues but they really enjoy playing for a hometown crowd," Susan Solt said. Brittany said the band likes to get the audience involved in the songs. In addition to Mitchell and the Ballistics, the Spencerport High School Jazz Band will perform as will country singer Jason Powell. Nik & the Nice Guys will perform Saturday at the soccer stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by the ground fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Essential Soul and the Jeff Cosco Band will take to the stage on Sunday. Tasty treats at the Spencerport Canal Days From Red Osier sandwiches to the firemen's chicken barbecue to dessert treats - there is certain to be something for most every person, Organizer Jim LeBeau said. Whether your taste buds are yearning for fried dough or Italian sausage, the scents wafting from the vendor booths will certainly draw in the most discriminating festival food lover. Community service groups will also offer refreshments for sale both festival days. A pancake breakfast at the Masonic building, 133 Main Street, starts both Saturday and Sunday morning off. Serving is from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Many of the treats available are seasonal and have to be enjoyed while the festival is in town. Several of the vendors who plied their wares at festivals in the past will be on hand and there will also be a few new special taste treat offerings. Canal Days offers fun for the younger set "The activity tent is a great place for the parents to come and sit with their children and let them do something that's just for them," Williamson said. "After a while of walking around and looking at craft vendors, the kids get antsy and the activity tent gives them time to unwind and make a craft or two." Rides ranging from inflatables to ponies and an array of arts and crafts will be part of the two-day event. As in years past, the arts and crafts are quick and easy projects that parents and children make together. Williamson said there will be marble painting, crown making, visor decorating and many other simple crafts available. This year there will also be an "oat pit" where the children can frolic. All activities in the children's tent are free but donations are accepted, she said. "It's such a nice stopping point for the children," she said. "The chance to sit and make a few crafts kind of breaks up the day for the kids. It's fun to see their faces light up when they see we have something especially for them." The craft tent is open the same hours as the festival - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Volunteers are always welcome and can sign up on the spot or call Williamson at 594-1187 to get on the schedule. Classics, street rods, antiques and more rolling in to Canal Days Car Show "People appreciate this show because it is all peer judged," he said. "The show is run in a very 'user friendly' manner." The judging in this car show is unique because the awards are presented based on the peer judging. Each registrant is required to judge four designated classes, not including their own. Trophies are given out to the first, second and third in each of 24 classes. Additionally, Eksten said, Mayor Ted Walker will present a Mayor's Choice Award. There is also a Police Chief's Choice Award and Best In Show award that is presented by Eksten. The awards presentation takes place at 3:30 p.m. Cars ranging in type from antiques to modified, custom street rods, Corvettes, trucks, imports and even motorcycles will be on display on July 30 as part of Canal Days festivities in the village. The event is free for spectators. "Because of the tie in with the Canal Days event, we get a mix of people who are just curious to see what kinds of cars are on display to those who are thrilled with the array of vehicles they can see all in one place," he said. Eksten, a Corvette aficionado, has been involved in the car show since its inception, he said. The event is entirely volunteer run and the work on the show begins in December for the organization and planning of the day. This year's major Car Show sponsors are: Suburban News, Spurr Dealerships, Galaxie Auto Parts, Precision Power Services, Inc., PDM Advisors, MBA (Pete Maynard) and Barton's Parkside Hots. "Barton's is fantastic to us," Eksten said. "They give away 200 hot dogs to participants and volunteers." Pineway Ponds Park is also on the shuttle bus route. Visitors can park their cars at Spencerport High School and catch a ride to the festivities in the village. Also, a recently constructed sidewalk links the park to the downtown area. Also at the show this year will be a special appearance of the Rochester Rattlers cheerleaders, the Amerks mascot, a 50/50 raffle and all day DJ music provided by Dave Smith of Amazing Sound. "There's such a huge passion out there for cars and the restoration business is huge," Eksten said. "People who show cars do it because of the fun they have and because of the pride they have in their vehicles." Registration for the car show runs from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Pre-registration fee is $8, or $12 the day of the show, forms are also on-line at: http://www.ogdenny.com/canaldays/carshow.htm. The first 200 cars registered will receive a dash plaque. Ready the paddles for the Erie Canal canoe race "The emphasis is on fun and the creative energy and juices of the community," he said. The creative part comes in as part of the canoe decorating contest portion of the race. Bacon said there are four categories for judging this year; they are: most patriotic, most creative, a judge's choice award and a prize for the fastest canoe. There will be $100 prizes awarded for first place in each category. "The canoe race really fosters a community spirit and people are lined up and down the canal to catch the event," Bacon said. In addition to individual participants, Bacon said he'd love to see local businesses come out and compete against one another. "It would be great publicity for a business to have its name on a canoe," he said. "Neighborhoods could also come together and put a team in a canoe to represent their neighborhood. It's a fun, friendly event." The Town of Ogden's outrigger canoe will also be on hand for the race, Bacon said. The canoe was purchased by the Recreation Department as a way to offer canoe safety classes. The canoe race takes place Sunday, July 31 at 1 p.m. Participants will race from the Martha Street bridge to the Union Street bridge. Registration fee is $25 per canoe. For information or to register for the race contact the Ogden Parks and Recreation Department at 352-2124 or on-line http://www.ogdenny.com/canaldays/canalevent.htm to download a registration form. |
