Camillus Erie Canal

From the Erie Canal to Niagara Falls, One Woman's Journey
2024-04-14 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Towpath Day 2024
2024-08-10 11:00 - 16:00 | 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!

Create a Halloween Finger Puppet
2024-10-26 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031
Get into the Halloween spirit with Ms. Jenny from the Maxwell Library here at Sims Store by making your own felt Halloween Finger Puppets! These adorably creepy finger puppets are perfect for this spooky season! This event is FREE & good for all ages! No registration required.

Wildlife Photographer Jade Hemingway
2024-11-02 12:00 - 16:00 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join us for Saturday Fun at Sims Store this Saturday & see the work of Jade Hemingway, Camillus wildlife photographer. Says Jade, “Hello, my name is Jade & I am a passionate wildlife & pet photographer. I am Australian & have been living in the US for almost 3 years. I’m dedicated to capturing the unique personalities & beauty of animals. I’ve been practicing photography since I could hold a camera, using my own experiences with a variety of pets, from dogs to rats, birds to fish, & everything in between. Along with that, I have spent a lot of time in incredible zoos such as Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin may ring a bell), allowing me to get up close & personal to the wilder species. Now I’m excited to share my journey as I step into the professional world, aiming to capture images that truly reflect the spirit of the animals I love, & invite people to bring that into their homes.”

Jade will have photographs on display & also for sale – the perfect holiday gift for your animal lover! This event is FREE!

Crazy Crow Arts at the Canal
2024-11-09 12:00 - 16:00 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join local artist Jean Hamel of Crazy Crow Arts & view her work as part of our Saturdays at Sims Store. You may even find a few unique holiday gifts to purchase! Jean partnered with us last year to sell her hand-painted Christmas tree ornaments in our gift shop & they sold out! Now she will join us in person & will even be able to personalize if you prefer! Says Jean about her art, “I have been self-taught decorative artist for most of my life. When I retired, family & friends encouraged me to sell my artwork. So, I started ‘Crazy Crow Arts’ & sold my work at Arts and Crafts shows. My medium is acrylic paint which I use on a variety of surfaces from wood to canvas. Fall, winter & holidays are my favorites to paint.”

Jean is an active volunteer at the Port Byron Old Erie Heritage Park & we are thrilled to have her at Sims Store Saturday! This event is FREE!

She's Back! Crazy Crow Arts
2024-11-16 12:00 - 16:00
Jean Hamel from Crazy Crow Arts had such a great time last week she’s back! Come view her work as part of our Saturdays at Sims Store. You may even find a few unique holiday gifts to purchase! Jean partnered with us last year to sell her hand-painted Christmas tree ornaments in our gift shop & they sold out! Now she will join us in person & will even be able to personalize if you prefer! Says Jean about her art, “I have been self-taught decorative artist for most of my life. When I retired, family & friends encouraged me to sell my artwork. So, I started ‘Crazy Crow Arts’ & sold my work at Arts and Crafts shows. My medium is acrylic paint which I use on a variety of surfaces from wood to canvas. Fall, winter & holidays are my favorites to paint.”

Jean is an active volunteer at the Port Byron Old Erie Heritage Park & we are thrilled to have her at Sims Store Saturday! This event is FREE!

Make Your Own Thankful Board with the Maxwell Library at Sims Store!
2024-11-23 12:00 - 14:00
Join us here at Sims Store with Ms. Jenny from the Maxwell Library to make your own Thanksgiving Tree Memo Board! Tis the season to remember what we are thankful for & this board can remind you! This craft is appropriate for all ages & is FREE! 12 noon – 2 pm at Sims Store

Paint Your Own Snowman!
2024-11-30 12:30 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Get into the holiday spirit by painting your own snowman! Local artist Bev Owen was one of the talented people who painting the beautiful mural we added to the park this Summer & is teaching this class. The first time slot is 12:30 pm & is reserved for families (ex. 1 adult & 1 child creating 1 painting). The second time slot is 2pm & is reserved for adults. All materials will be provided. There is a $20 fee to be paid directly to Bev Owen. This will be fun & you will be amazed at what you can do! Please reserve your space by emailing Lisa at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or calling 680-800-5298.

The artist, the Reverend Beverly Owen, is a Reiki Master Teacher Practitioner/Artist who started sketching at an early age & continued through high school. She took a break for “life” & in 2010 began painting with Mural Mania, who has produced murals from Fairport to Syracuse, including our new mural. She is still working with Mural Mania as well as creating her own murals, private commissioned paintings and classes.

Wool Spinning 101
2024-12-07 12:00 - 16:00 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join local wool spinner Linda Bishop Surbeck from 12 – 4 pm at Sims Store Museum as she shows how yarn was produced “back in the day”. The process of turning wool from a sheep (or goat or alpaca) into yarn which can be used to produce clothing is hundreds of years old. Learn how people from the Canal Era spun wool from our local artisan. This event is FREE!

Paint a Palm Tree!
2024-12-14 12:30 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Winter is finally here, so what better time to bring some tropical sunshine to you?! Local artist Bev Owen, who hosted a very successful art class with us in November, is a talented artist & teacher. Choose from 2 time slots: 12:30 pm -OR- 2:00 pm. All materials will be provided. There is a $20 fee to be paid directly to Bev Owen. You must register in advance. Please reserve your space by emailing Lisa at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or calling 680-800-5298.

The artist, the Reverend Beverly Owen, is a Reiki Master Teacher Practitioner/Artist who started sketching at an early age & continued through high school. She took a break for “life” & in 2010 began painting with Mural Mania, who has produced murals from Fairport to Syracuse, including our new mural. She is still working with Mural Mania as well as creating her own murals, private commissioned paintings and classes. Bev was one of the talented artists who created our boat mural this past Summer.

Make a Jingle Bell Door Hanger!
2024-12-21 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Tis the season for jingle bells! Make your own jingle bell door hanger craft with Ms. Anna from the Maxwell Library here at Sims Store! This is so much more festive than a boring doorbell when guests come to visit! All supplies provided and great for all ages. FREE!! No registration required, just drop-in!

CANCELED: We will Reschedule : Build Your Own Snow Globe
2025-01-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of crafting and creativity at Sims Store! This event is FREE and open to all ages. See you there!

Make Your Own Snow Globe
2025-01-11 12:00 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Join us THIS SATURDAY at Sims Store to make your own snow globe. Melissa from the Maxwell Library will help you create your unique winter wonderland with a recycled baby food jar. Drop-in anytime between the two hours. All supplies provided. FREE! (This event was rescheduled from January 11)

A Hidden Treasure: The History of the Camillus Erie Canal Park
2025-01-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Camillus Fire Department Community Room, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
The Camillus Canal Society will host the first of its 2025 Snippets & Tales Speaker’s Series on Saturday, January 25 at 1pm featuring Dr. David and Liz Beebe and “A Hidden Treasure: The History of the Camilus Erie Canal Park”. The Beebes led a small but mighty group of volunteers back in 1972 who partnered with the Town of Camillus to purchase the land the Camillus Erie Canal Park, renamed the Liz and Dave Beebe Camillus Eire Canal Park, is located on. Dave and Liz will recount their adventures during the formative years of restoring the overgrown and forgotten ditch to the present day, including the historic restoration of the 1842 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct. They have never presented this material in this format before, so it is a treat! Refreshments will follow. The program is FREE. Please use the rear entrance to the Camillus Fire Department to access our room.

CNY Erie Canal Bicentennial Showcase
2025-02-06 13:30
The CNY Bicentennial Planning group is presenting a showcase of planned events, services and opportunities to celebrate the 200th year of the Erie Canal. At this event, each of the Central New York Erie Canal Museums and other historic sites throughout CNY will speak about their respective sites and what they will be offering during this 2025 Bicentennial year. This event is FREE and open to the public with refreshments to follow.

Make Origami Mugs & Hugs
2025-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 | 5750 Devoe Road, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Feel the love & make your own mugs & hugs with the Maxwell Library at Sims Store! This event is FREE and fun for all ages!

DeWitt's Duel: Rivalry at Ten Paces
2025-02-22 13:00 | Camillus Fire Department Community Room, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
The life of DeWitt Clinton is an interesting exploration into the politics of early America and New York State. In our 2nd installment of Snippets and Tales, 2025, David Brooks, Historic Site Assistant & Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will examine a curious incident in Clinton’s life. Recognized now as the “Father of the Erie Canal”, NYS Governor and former mayor of New York City, Clinton had tended to personal and political rivalries to accomplish legislative goals. Discover some of the intrigue, wrangling and dirty politics that lead ultimately to DeWitt’s Duel on the plains of Weehawken, New Jersey. If the bullets had gone the other way, would we still have the Erie Canal?

This Talk is FREE and refreshments will follow. Please note this is at the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department, Upper Level Community room, entrance in the back.

CRAFTING WITH THE MAXWELL LIBRARY
2025-03-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Celebrate International Women’s Day by making a mimosa flower with our friends from the Maxwell Library here at Sims Store. This craft is FREE and appropriate for all ages. See you there!

AMBOY AIRPORT: SYRACUSE'S HISTORY IN THE SKY
2025-03-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Camillus Fire Department Community Room, 5801 Newport Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Did you know that from a large meadow in Camillus a modern airport grew? And some of the biggest names in early flight utilized its runways? Come listen to the Community Room of the Camillus Fire Department at 1 pm to listen to Dan Willis, from the new Amboy Airport Exhibit, as he tells you Syracuse’s history of flight began here. A dessert reception will follow the presentation. This event is FREE, donations are accepted.

Make Your Own Buoy Boat Ornament
2025-03-22 12:00 | Liz & Dave Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Rd, Camillus, New York, 13031
Join us at Sims Store in welcoming Pauline Lynch Shostack, from Maker Faire Syracuse, and make your own wooden layered buoy boat ornament! This event is FREE & is 12 – 3:30pm or until supplies run out! No registration is required.

Paint Your Own Palm Tree!
2025-04-05 00:30 - 15:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
BACK by popular demand, local painter Bev Owen is teaching another painting class at Sims Store! Tired of this cold, gray weather? Paint your own sunshine & palm tree as Bev teaches you how! Bev will have 2 classes, one at 12:30 pm and one at 2pm. The cost is $20. Please register & save your space by calling or texting Bev at 315-879-7565. All supplies are provided. Class space is limited so register now! Suitable for ages 6 +.

Along with her own creations, Bev paints with Mural Mania & has added her artistic flair to many murals throughout the Central New York area. Bev (and 2 other artists from Mural Mania) painted our beautiful mural of a canal boat on our main barn! Come take the class and learn from the best! See you April 5th!

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION & TRAINING
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
We have the BEST volunteer crew in the world here at the Park & today is our day for orientation, training & friendship. If you are a current volunteer we will gather from 10 – 12, followed by lunch & a presentation from Dave Beebe. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, this is a great day to get an idea of all we do. If you like to work outside, cook, educate, drive boats, narrate, paint…if you can do it we need it! For more information please reach out to Lisa at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com or 680-800-5298.

Canal Clean Sweep 2025
2025-04-19 08:00 - 12:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
It’s time to get ready for the 2025 Season & YOU can help during Canal Clean Sweep! Our event will be at the Park on Saturday, April 19th from 8 am – 12 noon, with a BBQ lunch for all participants to follow at noon. Jobs may include clearing trails, clearing the Canal prism, painting, cleaning the museum, getting our tour boats ready and MORE! Ages 6+ (with adult supervision) are welcome but you MUST register here: https://reg.resport.io/s/step1.jsp?r=4662659523805184

Please bring your own hand tools & dress for the weather. Any questions? Please email Lisa at Lwiles@townofcamillus.com

Make Your Own Bird Mobile!
2025-04-26 12:00 - 14:00 | Liz & Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park, 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
We love the birds here at our Park! On Saturday join us with the Maxwell Library & make your own bird mobile! You can even take home some bird seed to feed our flying friends. FREE! Suitable for all ages. See you there!

POSTPONED!! Camillus Canal Paddle Classic
2025-06-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Reed Webster Park, 3520 Warners Road, Camillus, New York, 13031, United States
Due to water issues this event has been postponed until September. We will re-post when we have a date! In the meantime you can kayak and paddle in the Park at any time. Kayak assists are located at the low dock by Sims Store and the dock at the Reed Webster end. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Paddle in the 1st Camillus Canal Paddle Classic on Father’s Day, June 15! This fun and family-friendly canoe and kayak race will commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal! There is a Recreational and Long course with detail and registration here:

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Camillus/CamillusCanalPaddleClassic

Proceeds will benefit the Camillus Canal Society and the Liz and Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park. Please note the race and registration will be at Reed Webster Park, with turnaround at Sims Store for the Recreational Course, across Devoe Road for the Long Course.
