Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Inc
P.O. Box 1243
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 692-3292 - voice/fax

A BRIEF HISTORY

    The Erie Canal was the first great canal in the United States and helped establish financial and commercial growth throughout the area.

    It was designed to connect the interior of New York State and eastern markets with the Great Lakes Region and farmers of the heartland.

    Teams of mules would tie up to boats and barges. Then walk the towpaths along sides of the canal, pulling the loaded vessels through an original water depth of only 4 feet.

    From our states capital, Albany, on the Hudson River, to the mouth of the mighty Niagara River in Tonawanda, this man made canal extends over 350 miles.

    To signify the opening of the canal on Oct 26, 1825, a relay system of cannons firing along the banks of the waterway sent the message across the state (taking 1 hour, 21 minutes). The Erie Canal was officially open. For extra points, who can name the first vessel to make the trip from end to end?


Canal Fest of the Tonawandas is the largest of its kind along the Erie Canal.

    Shared by the Twin Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, it encompasses a 2 square mile area, jam-packed full of fun and entertainment.

    Canal Fest originated in 1983, was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas and coordinated by Joe Armenia, then Publisher of the News and shortly thereafter joined by George Maziarz, now serving as a NYS Senator. The Fest was designed to accomplish 3 goals:

    1. Promote the community of the Tonawandas, especially downtown business

    2. Provide a means of fundraising for non profit community organizations

    3. Provide a joint recreational opportunity for the citizens of both cities

    The event was held exclusively within the City of North Tonawanda the first year, but grew substantially the second year and expanded to include the City of Tonawanda. Each successive year saw significant growth in number of participating non profit/civic organizations, in the entertainment offered and in attendance.
   
    The expansion of the event led the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to decide that 1994 would be the last year of Chamber sponsorship. The amount of work was becoming too great for its staff to handle and a request was made for others to step forward to continue this community event. At this point three major organizations stepped forward to be the lead agencies in establishing Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Inc., as a separate legal, not-for-profit entity. This new corporation would insure the efforts of all the participating organizations and ensure the continuation of the event.

For more information please visit the official Canal Fest web site HERE.