It is the largest festival of its kind along the Erie Canal. More than 200,000 people are expected for Canal Fest of the Tonawandas.
Shared by the Twin Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, the eight-day festival opened Sunday with the firing of a ceremonial cannon, a Vintage Fire Truck Muster, the Chalk-It-Up Street Chalk Art Contest, a boat-building contest and, of course, plenty of live music.
Not only are there special events planned for the week, about 50 non-profit and civic organizations raise a significant portion of their annual operating budget during the event. Many organizations use this added revenue to offer sponsorships, scholarships and awards to local youth organizations. Organizers say more than $225,000 is invested back into the community through the Canal Fest.
More information, including a schedule of events, can be found at www.canalfest.org. Among Monday's events is the annual Tug-O-War between Tonawanda and North Tonawanda officials in Niawanda Park behind City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Canal Fest closes Sunday with Grand Finale Fireworks at dusk.
