Canal Fest back with a full lineup of fun

Compiled By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

For a festival that was set to be canceled back in March, the Canal Fest of the Tonawandas has made a remarkable comeback.

Starting this Sunday and running through Sunday, July 23, the eight-day festival is full-speed ahead with a parade, car cruise, two-day craft show, rides, live music, a boat-building event, golf tournament, pageants, fireworks and much more.

The family-focused event takes up 2 square-miles along the banks of the historic Erie Barge Canal, encompassing the cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

The amusement rides will be open at Niagara Street and Canal Street from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 22; and from noon until the fireworks start on the closing day, Sunday, July 23.

Some food booths will be open for lunch and all will be open from 5-10 p.m. during the festival; the beer tent, presented by Sweeney Hose Co. No. 7, Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda, will be open from noon to 11 p.m.

Live music is generally from 6-8 p.m. at the new pavilion on Canal Street, Tonawanda; and from 4-7 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. at the Main Stage on Sweeney Street on weekdays; check the live music schedule for weekends and specific days at canalfest.org. There will be a special recital by Boulevard Music students from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the North Tonawanda music venue.

Also, there will be wood-turning demonstrations by Alex Thom at 7 p.m. nightly at Canal and Main streets, Tonawanda.

Before the official start of Canal Fest, there will be pageants on Saturday, July 15, at Tonawanda High School, for Junior Princess (ages 10-12); Teen (ages 13-16); and Queen (ages 17-21). The pageants will be hosted by Maryalice Demler, WGRZ-TV Channel 2 news anchor.

Here are some other event highlights. (See full schedule of events and live music at www.canalfest.org):

Sunday, July 16

•Opening ceremonies: Noon, from the middle of the Renaissance Bridge.

•Street chalk art contest, Main Street, Tonawanda.

•Antique and vintage fire truck display, Niagara Street, Tonawanda, between Main and Seymour streets.

•Live music from 1-6 p.m. at the new pavilion, Canal Street, Tonawanda; and from 4-7 and 8-11 p.m. on the main stage on Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda.

•Parade at starts at 6:30 p.m. from Grove and Minerva streets.

Monday, July 17

•Canal “Festimpics,” with youth events, at Payne Park in North Tonawanda.

•Face painting by Sheila Reigh, 4-9 p.m. on Canal Street in Tonawanda.

•NT Police K9, noon to 4 p.m., Sweeney and Webster streets.

•Live music from 6-8 p.m. at the new pavilion, Canal Street, Tonawanda; and from 4-7 and 8-11 p.m. on the main stage on Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda.

Tuesday, July 18

•The Charles Fleishman Canal Fest Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at Minerva and Grove streets, Tonawanda, and ends at Webster and Goundry streets, North Tonawanda.

•Canal “Festimpics,” with youth events, at Payne Park in North Tonawanda.

•Amusement rides, games and midway, from 5-10 p.m., Niagara Street and Canal Street, Tonawanda.

•Live music by the Greater Buffalo Firefighters Pipe & Drum after the parade at the new pavilion on Canal Street, Tonawanda; live music with two bands, from 4-7 and 8-11 p.m. on the Main Stage, Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda.

Wednesday, July 19

•Car Cruise, 6-10 p.m. on Main Street in Tonawanda and Webster Street in North Tonawanda; staging at 3 p.m. at Gratwick Park, River Road, North Tonawanda, and roll out by groups at 5:30 p.m. to the two locations.

•Live music features “The Voice” semifinalist Cami Clune from 6-8 p.m. at the new pavilion, Canal Street, Tonawanda.

Thursday, July 20

•The 35^th annual Tim Frank Memorial 4-Miler Run: Registration 4-6:45 p.m.; 7 p.m., race start at Oliver and Sweeney streets, North Tonawanda; 7:30 p.m., awards ceremony and party. Registration, race packet pickup and awards ceremony and party will be at the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, 254 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda.

•The Diaper Derby, 6 p.m., Tremont Street between Webster and Main streets. Contestants must only crawl and cannot walk.

•NT Police K9 demonstrations, noon to 4 p.m., Sweeney and Webster streets, North Tonawanda.

•Canal “Festimpics,” with youth events, at Payne Park in North Tonawanda.

Friday, July 21

•Talent Show of the Tonawandas, starting at noon on the Canal Fest Sweeney Street stage. Open to residents of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, 6 to 18 years old. Visit canalfest.org for registration information.

•Canal Fest Bike Cruise 2023, 5:30-10 p.m. on Webster Street, North Tonawanda. Gate opens at 5:30 p.m. at Tremont and Main streets. Bike Show awards at 8:30 p.m.

•Live music with Maria Aurigema from 7-10 p.m. at the Webster Stage.

Saturday, July 22

•SIKA Cup Challenge: “Quick & Dirty Boat Building Contest and Race,” 6 p.m. in the Canal. Teams of two have just four hours to build their boats on the Canal Fest campus from materials supplied by the organizer. The boats will be held together using only the Sika product.

•Two-day arts and crafts show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Main and Broad streets in Tonawanda, across the bridge to Webster and Goundry streets in North Tonawanda.

Sunday, July 23

•Two-day arts and crafts show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Main and Broad streets in Tonawanda, across the bridge to Webster and Goundry streets in North Tonawanda.

•Fireworks: Around 9:30 p.m.

•Amusement rides, games and midway; live music; face painting; food booths and beer tent; wood turning demonstration – all until the fireworks close out the eight-day festival.