Locktoberfest opens today

Downtown Lockport will host the first-ever Locktoberfest celebration this weekend.

The public is invited to celebrate the beauty of Lockport's famous Flight of Five locks, the Erie Canal and all that Lockport has to offer.

A dedication ceremony will take place down in the Locks Friday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. to commemorate the completion of the phase one restoration of Flight of Five locks 69 and 70. Dignitaries will arrive by boat in the Erie Canal flotilla, led by the Tug Urger. Following the dedication ceremony, tours of the Locks Heritage District will be given from 4 to 5 p.m., along with demonstrations of the restored locks.

From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., the Historic Palace Theatre has coordinated the recreation of an historic Lockport photograph showing canal workers sitting by the Flight of Five. Thirteen local performers will be on-site to recreate this image.

A reception at the Flight of Five Winery will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is already sold out.

Locktoberfest will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, around the Flight of Five and Canal Street area. Locktoberfest is sponsored by the Locks Heritage District Corp., Lockport Main Street Inc. and the City of Lockport, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corp., I Love NY, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and Taste NY. The community is invited down to Canal Street and the Locks Heritage District for a community festival featuring a variety of entertainment, food, wine and beer tasting, an expanded community market, children's activities, local art and more.

Live entertainment schedule on the city stage is as follows:

•9 a.m.: Magic show.

•10 a.m. to noon: The Folk Remedies will perform folk songs on guitar, auto harp, mandolin and banjo.

•Noon to 1 p.m.: Celtic Cross Duo, featuring "The Bagpiper of Wilson."

•1 to 2 p.m.: Buffalo and Brandy will provide a special children's program where they will take the audience on an imaginary trip on the Erie Canal.

•2 to 4 p.m.: The Outofar Trio Jug Band.

•4 p.m.: Magic show.

"Nineteen cent toys and games," children's activities provided by the Niagara County History Center, will be ongoing from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. outside the Erie Canal Discovery Center. A variety of toys and games will be out. Children are invited to make a thaumatrope and a cardboard canal boat. Woodworking expert Tim Roberts will demonstrate barrel and bucket making, and kids can try their hands at making a miniature bucket. "Sal the Mule" will also be on-site and available for photos.

A "One Day Art Museum," which will feature paintings, prints and photographs from local artists relating to the canal, will take place at 51 Canal St. (Sweet Ride Rentals). Artists will be doing a round-robin event where multiple artists will all work on a few pieces in various media. Plein air artists will paint around the festival area.

The festival will mark the last weekend for the Lockport Community Market, which will be held from 9 am to 3 pm. Attendees can expect to shop approximately 40 vendors on Canal Street with a variety farm-fresh produce and goods, and artisans and crafters.

From noon to 5 p.m., visitors can taste wine from wineries around the Niagara Wine Trail and visit the beer tent and sample a variety of craft beer and cider. Participating breweries include: Big Ditch Brewing Co., Blackbird Cider Works, Hamburg Brewing Co., Southern Tier Brewing Co., Ellicottville Brewing Co., Woodcock Brothers Brewery, Old First Ward and Community Beer Works.