Festivals Thrive & Charters Abound in 2004:

SCOW Program Includes Tour Boat, Operation of Little Falls Canal Harbor

The State Council on Waterways expanded its program this year by becoming the operator of the newly refurbished Little Falls Canal Harbor, a transient marina at an original 1918 Barge Canal terminal building, also known locally as Rotary Park. After an extensive renovation last year by the New York State Canal Corporation, it became the seventh canal harbor project in the state. SCOW continues its operation of the ERIE CANAL BOAT project again this season, having provided increased public access in a particularly underutilized section of the canal in the Mohawk Valley between Little Falls and Marcy since 2002. It also operates along the eastern section of the Erie Canal from Waterford to Rome, and on the Hudson River.

This spring 14 school districts continued their participation in the fourth grade field trip program established in 1999 by Herkimer BOCES. SCOW provides the cruise portion of the program on its tour boat, as the curriculum examines the canal era in New York State history and provides a hands-on experience along the modern day waterway. Visits to the Erie Canal Village in Rome, New York, and the General Herkimer Home and Old Lock 36 in Little Falls are additional features of the excursions.

For the remainder of the summer and into the fall SCOW will continue to visit several communities for canal festivals and other celebrations, offering public rides and charters at many locations. The following planned events and dates are currently on the schedule:

• Little Falls Public Cruises, August 31-September 3

• SCOW Board of Directors Meeting, Little Falls, August 28

• Dog Obedience Cruise (25 dogs & their owners) August 29

• Garlic Festival, Little Falls, September 4

• Betsy the Barge Labor Day Celebration, Marcy, September 6

• Waterford Tugboat Roundup, September 10-12

• Rides from Kitty’s on the Canal, Utica, September 15-25

• Little Falls Public Cruises, September 28-30

• Octoberfest, Little Falls, October 16

Additional information and confirmation of the planned schedule of events and other activities may be obtained by calling SCOW at Little Falls Canal Harbor at (315) 823-2200.)

Since May, during this 179th season of continuous inland navigation for the canal system in upstate New York, the ERIE CANAL BOAT carried passengers at Waterford Canalfest, Waterford Steam Boat Rally, Fort Hunter Canal Days, Canajoharie’s 175th Anniversary Celebration, Kitty’s on the Canal in Utica, Rome Rotary Canal Fest, Little Falls Canal Days, and at Riverlink Park in Amsterdam.

The boat also hosted ladies of the Red Hat Society and a variety of senior citizen groups, historical societies, service groups and youth organizations.

There is still time to schedule a charter for your group or organization this year. Cruises are available in several locations for the balance of the season at $250 for an hour and a half trip that carries up to 40 people. Please call (315) 823-3804 or (315) 823-2200 to reserve a date or obtain further information.
 

Programs of the State Council on Waterways, a small nonprofit with a 21 member statewide board of directors, are made possible by support from foundations, corporations and individuals interested in promoting the canal and its history. SCOW gratefully accepts contributions to help continue important educational, promotional and public access initiatives that no other nonprofit offers. To support SCOW or become a member, please send your contribution to Post Office Box 43, Little Falls, New York 13365. SCOW is a 501(c)3 organization, and donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you.