The Canal Fest of the Tonawandas a beloved tradition with a 43-year history has found a new home this year at Gratwick Riverside Park in North Tonawanda. The relocation, prompted by delays with city operations, has brought both praise and criticism from the community.
The festival’s new location offers a spacious layout that has allowed for more ridesfood vendors and wider walkways. Peter Chenier the festival’s president, expressed optimism about the change, stating, “We’ve had our glitches, but We have room. Actually, people walking the fest and not bumping into each other. It’s a great location. All the folks that I’ve talked to love it.”
Community Reactions to the New Location
Opinions on the move are divided among festival-goers. Some appreciate the expanded space and additional amenities. Peter Wall commented, “I think that’s really a good thing. Maybe we can get some more vendors, more people out there, stuff like that. You know, people don’t like to see change, but I think that it makes sense.”
Debra Larsen echoed this sentiment, highlighting the variety of activities available at the new venue. “Now they have it along Gratwick Park. It’s a great time. They have all kinds of events going on. They have live music every night. They have a lot of food stands and concessions. They have rides and a lot more than last year,” she said.
Nostalgia for the Erie Canal
However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the change. Ellen Johnson expressed her disappointment, saying, “It’s pretty sad that we can’t both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda can’t get together now.” Similarly, Nanette Derry missed the unique atmosphere of the festival’s previous location. “I miss the boats and the scenery down by the canal. There are more places to sit down by the canal, and it seemed more intimate,” she remarked.
Future of Canal Fest
Despite the mixed reactions, organizers are focused on making this year’s festival a success. Chenier mentioned that the board will evaluate the event’s performance before making any decisions about future locations. “Nothing’s out of the question. We’re going to do some discussing about what went good, what didn’t go good, what fit, what didn’t, and then we’ll make adjustments,” he said.
The 43rd annual Canal Fest of the Tonawandas continues through Sunday at Gratwick Riverside Park offering a variety of family-friendly activities, including rides, food vendors, and live entertainment.
