This year’s Canal Fest of the Tonawandas is going to be a bit different than years past as it will be held entirely within North Tonawanda’s Gratwick Park, with a few events elsewhere in the city.
The annual summer festival going on for more than 40 years kicks off Sunday and runs through July 26, with all the money raised there going toward participating nonprofit organizations.
“It’s all about the community,” said Canal Fest Recording Secretary Deb Darling. “No one gets paid to do this.”
The usual Canal Fest events like the car cruise, bike cruise, amusement rides, an arts and crafts show, diaper derby, and chainsaw wood carving will return, with a laser show happening Thursday night instead of fireworks. The Canal Festimpics events taking place from July 20-24 will be at the Wurlitzer Park at Lexington Avenue and Deerfield Drive.
The move was decided on earlier this year after the organizers could not reach a cost-covering agreement with the Tonawanda Common Council. Festival activities have normally stretched on streets that line the Erie Canal that separates Erie and Niagara counties.
North Tonawanda’s police and fire departments will be on hand monitoring the event with the city’s parks, water, and DPW departments involved with maintenance.
The past few years for Canal Fest have been difficult, with the 2020 and 2021 editions cancelled due to COVID-19 and the 2023 festival only going forward after financial aid from Gov. Hochul’s office was received. Darling said that Gratwick Park was their only option this year and they hope to return to their traditional locations next year.
More than 100,000 people are estimated to show up over the festival’s eight days, weather dependent.
“Bring a hat and umbrella,” Darling said, with Gratwick Park not having a lot of trees for shade. “If you’re coming to listen to music, bring a lawn chair and sunscreen.”