Camillus Erie Canal

Towpath Day 2024
2024-08-10 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Towpath Day 2024 is finally HERE! Join us for an affordable, fun, family-friendly event everyone will love! There will be 3 live bands playing throughout the day, vendors, boat rides, kids’ crafts, food, raffles, face painting & MORE! Park next door at the D.O.T. & take advantage of the FREE shuttle service back & forth to the Park! This year’s theme is “Thank You, Camillus”, as we appreciate our town! Proceeds from this event will benefit the Camillus Canal Society. See you there!

Cycle the Erie 2024
2024-07-10 12:00
Come help us welcome the 750 cyclists & staff riding their bikes from Buffalo to Albany this week! They will enjoy lunch here at the Park, with hot dogs & chips, drinks, boat tours & a “post office” so cyclists can send a post card from the halfway point of the Canal! If you would like to volunteer for this fun event, please email Lisa at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com for more information.

Ribbon Cutting...
2024-06-30 12:00
Something new is coming! Can you guess what it is? Come welcome our newest feature on June 30th at 12 noon for a ribbon cutting ceremony!

Opening Day of Boat Rides!
2024-05-05 13:00 - 15:00
Boat Season has begun here at the Park! Starting today (through early October) we will have public boat rides on Wednesdays and Sundays at 1, 2 and 3pm! Our 45 minute narrated boat ride is the MOST AFFORDABLE BOAT RIDE IN NYS and will take you over the only restored, rewatered and navigable aqueduct left from the First Enlargement of the Erie Canal. Tickets are $5 with a $15 maximum per nuclear family. (Parents and children -OR- Grandparents and grandchildren). See you on the Canal!

It's National Go Birding Day! Make A Yarn Bird!
2024-04-27 12:00 - 14:00
Did you know birds & bird watching helped to get our park started way back in the 1970’s? Join Jenny, Maxwell’s Director, at the Camillus Erie Canal Sims’ Store Museum to make a Yarn Bird. Today is National Go Birding Day, so this is a fun way to celebrate our feathery friends. Drop-in anytime between the two hours. All supplies provided. Good for all ages! This event is FREE, although donations are appreciated.

Trail Ambassador Information Meeting
2024-04-25 18:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Do you love Central New York as well as biking or hiking the Erie Canalway Trail and want to share that passion? You could be a perfect candidate for becoming a Trail Ambassador! This new program aims to make CNY more inviting to the thousands of cyclists and hikers who come through our region every year enjoying the Erie Canalway and Empire State Trail Systems. Trail Ambassadors assist and inform trail users, monitor trail conditions, promote trail courtesy, safety and awareness, and serve as local advocates for the Canalway’s trail systems. This program relies on volunteer Ambassadors to be out on the trail only a few times a week, with a very flexible schedule tailored to your needs. If you are interested in participating in this program, please join us for an informational meeting on April 25th at Sims Store at the Liz & Dave Beebe Erie Canal Park at 6PM. Please feel free to contact the Erie Canal Museum’s Educator, Derrick Pratt, at educator@eriecanalmuseum.org if you have questions or further questions.

From the Erie Canal to Niagara Falls, One Woman's Journey
2024-04-14 13:00 | Camillus Fire Department Community Room, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join us for our final Snippets & Tales Winter Speakers Series with Captain Kaitlynn McHenry! Less than 8% of the boat or ship Captains in the World are women! Captain McHenry started her career captaining tour boats on the Erie Canal, and is the only woman ever in the 140 year history of the company to Captain the Maid of the Mist boats. Learn about her journey as well as the recent conversion of the Maid of the boats from traditional power to electric.

This event is FREE, but donations are gladly accepted. Refreshments will follow. The talk is at the Camillus Fire Department Community Room, upstairs.

Volunteer Orientation & Training
2024-04-06 10:00 - 14:00
For over 50 years our Park has been operated & maintained through an agreement with the Town of Camillus & the Camillus Canal Society. All maintenance & educational programming is because of volunteers. From gardening, to boat building, to museum docenting to cooking, if you can do it we need you!

10 am – 12 noon: Training for New Volunteers from 2023 & 2024 who have not completed training

12 noon: Lunch with new & established volunteers

12:30 pm: All Volunteers: Talk with Tina Thomas from the Onondaga Nation

The Beer-ie Canal Was A-Risin’: Brewing on the Erie Canal
2024-03-17 13:00 | Camillus Fire Department Community Room, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join us for our March Snippets & Tales Winter Speaker Series with this historic look at BEER! The Erie Canal was a transformative waterway for various industries along its route, including brewing, which flourished from Albany to Buffalo. This discussion examines the Canal’s beer boom in the 19th century and its new one in the 21st. This program is FREE, but donations are appreciated. A coffee and cookie reception will follow the talk.

Our location is the Upper Level Community Room at the Camillus Fire Department, 5801 Newport Road.

Derrick Pratt is the Director of Education & Public Programming at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, NY. A longtime resident of Chittenango, NY, Derrick received a B.A in Social Studies Education from SUNY Cortland and a M.A. in Museum Studies from Syracuse University. Prior to his job at the Erie Canal Museum, Derrick served as Director of Programs at Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum for 3 years.

Volunteer Awards Dinner
2024-03-10 16:00 - 19:00 | Camillus Elks Lodge, 117 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Let us celebrate our fabulous Camillus Canal Society Volunteers, who keep this Park going, with our Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Awards Presentation! This year we return again to the Camillus Elks Lodge. Look for your invitation in your email or snail mail and please RSVP by March 3.

Crafting at the Canal with the Maxwell Library
2024-03-02 12:00 - 14:00
Join Maxwell’s Director, Jenny, at the Camillus Erie Canal Sims’ Store Museum to make an End of the Rainbow Felt Magnet, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Drop-in anytime between the two hours. All supplies provided. All ages. FREE!

The Lois McClure; Past, Present & Future
2024-02-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Camillus Fire Department, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
In Fall, 2023 many of you followed the Canal Schooner the Lois McClure on her journey from Vermont down the Champlain Canal to the Erie Canal to the Cayuga Seneca Canal on her way to her permanent home in Port Byron. Learn from Craig Williams, President of the Canal Society of New York & Captain Dan Wiles, Director of the Old Erie Canal Park in Port Byron who lived on the ship as it traveled, about its past, present and plans for the future.

This talk, the 2nd of our Snippets & Tales Winter Speakers Series, is FREE, with a coffee & cookie reception to follow. Donations are accepted & appreciated.

Please join us at our new lecture location at the Camillus Fire Department, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, Upper Level Community Room

Craft Time - Make a Sock Gnome!
2024-02-03 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031
The Maxwell Library returns to Sims Store for 2024 with craft time from 12 – 2pm. This time you can make your own sock gnome! This event is FREE and enjoyable by all ages! No registration is required.

The Canals of Britain by Dr. David Beebe
2024-01-21 13:00 - 15:00 | 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York
Join us for our 1st of our Winter Speakers Series, Snippets and Tales let by local Canal expert and author, Dr. David Beebe. Dr. Beebe will explore the Canals of England and Scotland, including the famous Falkirk Wheel. Learn what “legging” over three miles means as well as stories about multiple canals the Beebe’s visited. Dr. Beebe is the President of the Camillus Canal Society which for over 50 years has operated the Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park.

The talk is FREE, although donations are appreciated. A dessert/coffee reception will follow.

Our NEW location is at the Camillus Fire Department, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, Upper Level in the Community Room. Ample parking is in the back of the building.

BACK by Popular Demand! Holiday Shopping Featuring Lori Mackessy's Stuffed Animals!
2023-12-16 12:00 - 16:00
If you missed local crafter Lori Mackessy & her incredibly stuffed animals, they were so popular we are having her back for your Holiday Shopping needs! Lori’s animals are handmade, soft, adorable & range in price from $18-36. Maybe puppy Fergus will make another appearance too!

Story Time & Craft with the Maxwell Library!
2023-12-09 13:30 - 14:30
Maxwell Library at the CanalStorytime and craft for children of all ages.Free. No registration required.Join Ms. Melissa, Youth Services Librarian at Maxwell Memorial Library, at the Camillus Erie Canal Sims’ Store Museum for a story time and craft. This drop-in program is a great way to enhance your family’s visit to the Camillus Erie Canal Park. For more information contact Lisa at #680-800-5298 or Lwiles@townofcamillus.com

Volunteer Holiday Party
2023-12-03 14:00 - 16:00
2023 was a great year because of you, our wonderful volunteers, so come and bring a dish to pass and we will celebrate! Beverages will be provided and immediate family members are welcome.

Please RSVP to Lisa at #680-800-5298 or Lwiles@townofcamillus.com

Holiday Shopping at Sims Store
2023-12-02 12:00 - 16:00
Shop from local crafters & get the perfect gift for those “hard to shop for” friends & family! Today we will highlight local crafter Lori Mackessy and her wonderful stuffed animals! She has some of the best made & cutest animals around at a very affordable price! Be sure to check out our gift shop for other local, very affordable gifts!

This event is FREE, although prices of items range from $5 – $36.

FREE Saturday Story Time
2023-11-25 13:00
Join local author Joni Lincoln as she reads her book, Maud the Erie House Dog, at 1pm and 2pm here at Sims Store. Maud was a real dog & major fixture at the Tavern in Port Byron which 100 years later would become the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park. Mrs. Lincoln will have autographed books for sale – the perfect Holiday gift for Canal and/or animal lover!

This event is FREE!

Saturday Fun at Sims Store!
2023-11-18 12:00 - 14:00
Maxwell Library at the CanalCraft for children of all ages.Free. No registration needed.Join Jenny, Director of Maxwell Memorial Library, at the Camillus Erie Canal Sims’ Store Museum to make a mallard duck felt hand puppet. This drop-in program is a great way to enhance your family’s visit to the Camillus Erie Canal Park. For more information contact Lisa at #680-800-5298 or Lwiles@townofcamillus.com

Tow Path Day
2023-08-12 11:00 - 16:00
Go back in time for this family-oriented event celebrating the Erie Canal right here in Camillus! Lots of entertainment, children’s activities, narrated boat rides, crafters, vendors, food and MORE!

FREE admission & FREE parking in the Department of Transportation parking lot – FREE shuttles to the Park!

Contact Lisa Wiles at Lwiles@TownofCamillus.com for vendor information & check out our Facebook page (Liz and Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park) for updates!

Cycle the Erie 2023
2023-07-12 11:00 - 16:00
Come cheer on over 700 cyclists who are traveling the entire length of the Erie Canal over a 6 day period, from Buffalo to Albany! They love coming to Camillus because we are the HALF-WAY STOP! Come welcome riders in, volunteer to help feed them, or in our unique Post Office where they can send a postcard home!

Please contact Lisa Wiles at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or #680-800-5298 if you would like to help or attend this event!

Steam Engine Exhibit Open!
2023-07-09 12:00 - 16:00
Step back in time and visit our Steam Engine Exhibit, across Devoe Road from the Sims Store Museum. See the impact improvements in machinery had on the local economy. Talk with the volunteers who restored these valuable pieces of history! Watch history in motion!

This event is FREE to the public.

First Boat Rides of 2023!
2023-05-07 13:00
Come travel the historic Erie Canal over the only rewatered and navigable aqueduct remaining from the First Enlargement of the Erie Canal left in the World! This 45 minute narrated trip is appropriate for all ages and will teach you a lot about local history.

Trips are Sunday, May 7th at 1pm, 2pm or 3pm

$5/adults, $3/children 4 – 12, nuclear family (parents and children OR grandparents and grandchildren) maximum of $15. Please purchase your tickets in the Sims Store Museum before the ride.

Opening Day 2023!
2023-05-06 12:00 - 16:00
You know Summer is around the corner when we go back to our full calendar hours! Please join us for our kick-off day and see what we’ve been working on for you over the Winter!

Sims Store Musuem Open 12 – 4

Steam Engine Exhibit Open 12 – 4

Admission is FREE, donations are always accepted!

Canal Clean Sweep!
2023-04-22 08:00 - 12:00
Spring is in the air and everything needs a little Spring Cleaning! Would you like to help clear trails, clean & straighten the museum, paint, weed whack or do any of the other hundred jobs we need to get done to open to the public? This is a great time for families to volunteer! Lunch will be provided.

For questions or to RSVP please contact Lisa Wiles at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or #680-800-5298

Volunteer Orientation Day
2023-04-08 10:00 - 14:00
Did you know that all the activities and maintenance at the Camillus Erie Canal Park are operated by volunteers? Do you love history and want to share with visitors? Are you a retired teacher who would like to be involved with our school programming? Do you enjoy lawn work (we have zero-turn mowers!) and operating tractors and backhoes? Do you like cooking for groups of 15? We have opportunities like these and more! Learn more and enjoy lunch and a field trip during our Volunteer Orientation Day here at the Park!

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please contact Lisa Wiles at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or #680-800-5298. It’s a great group of people and we’d love to add you!

Adolph Kastor & the Camillus Cutlery Company
2023-03-26 13:00 - 15:00
Curious about the construction at the Cutlery Building in Camillus? Wondering how Camillus and cutlery came together? Presenter Doug Sutherland will bring the story to life, past and present, for you!

Doug Sutherland is the managing partner of Franklin Properties in Syracuse. Franklin Properties and its affiliates have restored and repurposed a half-dozen vulnerable historic landmark properties in Central New York for new and productive use. The partnership is currently constructing the second phase of a three-phase, 4.35 acre mixed-use redevelopment of the former Camillus Cutlery Factory site along Nine Mile Creek in Camillus.

Admission is FREE with refreshments and good conversation to follow

Camillus Town Hall Courtroom, 4600 West Genesee Street, Camillus, 13031, Male Avenue entrance, lower level

History of MidLakes Navigation, 50+ Years on the Waters of New York State
2023-02-26 13:00 - 15:00
Have you taken a cruise on Skaneateles Lake or the Erie Canal? Did you know the Judge Ben Wiles boat was built in Borodino? How did Gustav Stickley help to save the Erie Canal? Join Dan Wiles, whose family owned MidLakes Navigation for 52 years until selling the business in 2019 for the inside scoop!

Dan Wiles has promoted and showcased New York’s historic canal system for over 40 years while Captaining the Erie Canal tour boat the Emita II out of Baldwinsville. Dan was the 2016 recipient of the “Spirit of the Canal” award and was twice a presenter at the World Canal Conference. He is past President of the Canal Society of NYS and has spent 25 years as a voting member of the New York State Canal Recreationway Commission. Today Dan is the Executive Director of the Port Byron Old Erie Canal Heritage Park and the newly established Samuel Center for Canal History.

Admission is FREE, refreshments and good conversation to follow the lecture.

Camillus Town Hall Courtroom, 4600 West Genesee Street, Camillus, 13031 Male Avenue entrance, lower level

Discover Buried Treasure In Your Backyard
2023-01-22 13:00 - 15:00
Could there be buried treasure in Camillus? Did you know Gere Lock Road is named after an actual Erie Canal Lock? Come listen to the first of our Snippets and Tales presentations for 2023 presented by Dr. David Beebe. Dr. Beebe and his wife Liz helped to found the Camillus Erie Canal Park in 1972 and the Park now bears their names. Dr. Beebe has served on the Board of Directors of the Canal Society of New York for many years. He is the author of “Camillus Halfway There”, a treatise on Erie Canal structures and their functions. Dr. Beebe has received many awards and honors including being a recipient of the “Spirit of the Canal Award” presented at the World Canal Conference in 2000 and is a member of the West Genesee and Town of Camillus Hall of Fame.

Admission is FREE, refreshments and good conversation will follow the talk.
