Camillus Erie Canal Park Celebrates 50th Anniversary Camillus Park Celebrates 50th Anniversary on Erie Canal

MICHAEL O’CONNOR: TowPath Day is coming back to Camillus! Organizers at the Camillus Erie Canal Park are busy preparing for the event’s return after a three-year hiatus. Park Director Lisa Wiles says the event is important for honoring the canal’s legacy.

Lisa Wiles: TowPath Day, you know, which is a day where we celebrate the canal and…and…uh, you know, have fun things to bring people down and really learn a little bit more – especially about their local history!

O’CONNOR: This year’s TowPath Day is expected to be a special one, celebrating the park’s 50th anniversary. Wiles says they plan on making this their biggest TowPath Day yet, and this weekend’s celebration is just the beginning.

Wiles: I’m hoping TowPath Day really brings awareness and people will want to come back and visit our museum and, you know, all the great things that we do here year-round.

O’CONNOR: Attendees can enjoy live music, local vendors, and boat tours for TowPath Day this Saturday from 11-to-4. In Camillus, Michael O’Connor, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Camillus Erie Canal Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!

The park plans to honor the canal’s legacy and the impact it’s had on the local community this weekend with the annual celebration of TowPath Day.

Lisa Wiles, the Park Director in Camillus, says she hopes this year will be a triumphant return for the event after a three-year hiatus.

“The last year we had it, we got about 2,000 or 2,500 people,” Wiles said. “We hope we get at least that – if not more – and it looks like beautiful weather so we’re excited!”

Tour boats are docked along the canal near the park's entrance.
TowPath Day will feature boat tours along the canal, with actors providing historical demonstrations.
© 2022 Michael O'Connor

While TowPath Day is a celebration of the canal’s history, the event will also feature many fun activities for attendees to enjoy.

This year’s TowPath Day features local musicians, historical demonstrations, and a boat tour along the Erie Canal highlighting the only working aqueduct left out of the 32 that were originally constructed.

Wiles says she hopes this weekend’s event will inspire people to learn more about their local history.

“I’m hoping TowPath Day really brings awareness and people will want to come back and visit our museum and, you know, all the great things that we do here year-round,” Wiles said.

A banner commemorating the park's 50th anniversary is displayed on the side of the main building.
This weekend’s TowPath Day is the first of many celebrations for the park’s 50th anniversary.
© 2022 Michael O'Connor

The park will celebrate TowPath Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Related Articles