Preparing for summer, honoring volunteers on the Erie Canal
Sunday, May 5 will makr opening day at the Camillus Erie Canal Park and Sims Store Museum, 5750 DeVoe Road. The museum ,filled with canal memorabilia, is open Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Narrated Boat Tours on the historic canal travel across the 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, the only navigable Aqueduct, in New York State. Sailings 1,2,3 and 4 p.m. $3 adults;$1.50 children, under 5 free. snack bar, gift shop and picnic pavilion. Kayaks and canoes are welcome. Fishing is permitted. The park is open daily year round and is part of the Canalway Trail extending from Buffalo to Albany. There are 13 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Additional museum hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays noon to 4 p.m. The museum is open Saturdays year round from noon to 4 p.m. Groups tours and use of the pavilion can be arranged by appointment. 315-488-3409.
Steam-ups occur on the second Sunday May through October.
The Corliss Steam Engine was given to the Camillus Erie Canal Park when the Smith company tore their building down. The engine is 30 percent more efficient than conventional steam engines. Steam power became more efficient than water power allowing increased industrial development.
Tuesdays on the towpath, June 11. We have scheduled a bike ride of the new route of the Canalway Trail from the trail head of the Orange parking lot over to Gere Lock ,beginning at 6 p.m. Dr. David Dave will tell us the history of Gere Lock. More information. 315-391-7578
Brand new: We are launching our Delicious Dessert Cruises, during Wednesday evenings in July and August. We set sail at 6:30 p.m. from Sims Store and travel over the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct toward Route 173. Enjoy summer evenings with great entertainment and the glow of beautiful sunsets as you travel along the canal. Cost. $18 Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and office parties and other occasions. Groups are welcome to make special arrangements. We are wheel chair accessible. Make your reservations at 315-487-7895.
Luncheon cruises by appointment: The box lunch consists of choices of sandwiches, fruit jello cup, veggie tray chips, cookies, beverages. The tour includes a narrated boat ride and box lunch as well as a visit to the museum and our outer exhibits. One low price of $13.
Towpath day, Legacy of the Erie Canal, is a family orientated festival celebrating canal history featuring a series of narrated vignettes along a mile section of the historic canal. Other activities : Rotary 5K Race, demonstrations of old fashion crafts, blacksmith, kids stuff, vendors, steam -up, visit Paddy ,the Mule, great entertainment and food.
Visit eriecanalcamillus.com or call 315-488-3409.
Submitted photo
As summer approaches, the Erie Canal park in Camillus has numerous events planned in the coming months.
Camillus Canal Society honors volunteers
Submitted photo
At the recent Camillus Canal Society Volunteer Dinner, following people the following people were recognized as Volunteers of the Year. Pictured from left
to right are Mary Ellen Hoag, Judy Porter and Don Mosher. Opening day at the Erie Canal Park will be Sunday, May 5.
