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Erie Canal Bicentennial

Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration!

Check back here for more details in the weeks ahead!

Pittsford Celebrates the Erie Canal 200th on September 27 & 28

Seneca Chief historic replica canal boat to visit
The Pittsford portion of the Erie Canal was completed in 1822. Three years ago, in 2022, we celebrated its 200th anniversary. It was in 1825 that the Canal was completed from end to end. The Pittsford Village Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee is planning a variety of activities for Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28, 2025. You’ll find updated details for all Erie Canal 200 activities here at www.townofpittsford.org/eriecanal200 in the weeks ahead.

A flotilla of boats arrives at noon in Pittsford on September 28, including the Sam Patch, the Riverie and the Colonial Bell. These will accompany the Seneca Chief, a replica of Governor DeWitt Clinton's boat that opened the Erie Canal in 1825. The Seneca Chief will dock in Pittsford at Schoen Place. You can view the boat and learn about its history. Other activities will include:

Food and music at Schoen Place to welcome the flotilla
Canal History exhibit at Schoen Place
Songs of the Erie Canal by Don Dwyer, sponsored by the Town of Pittsford
Historic Pittsford’s Canal History Tour, led by former Pittsford Mayor Bob Corby
Dance performance inspired by traditional folk music and canal history; choreographed by Cecilia Whalen, Residency Artist with the Baryshnikov Arts Center and performed by her dance company, this event is sponsored by Nazareth University and the Town of Pittsford
Dock decorating contest on September 28 to welcome the floatilla.
Village-wide Sidewalk Sale

At our Food Truck and Music Fest on September 13, in the Town’s tent we’ll have more information about the Erie Canal 200 event.

We’ll host the New York State Museum’s traveling exhibit, “Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal” at the Spiegel Community Center from September 14 – 20, and at the Pittsford Community Library from September 21 - 26. It will be at the Canal History exhibit on Schoen Place September 27 and 28.

You’ll find details about all of Pittsford’s Erie Canal 200 events here at www.townofpittsford.org/eriecanal200 as the event dates approach.