Reflections from Spencerport, New York, Canal Days

Brockport, New York -- The canal bridge was open, but the street just ahead was closed, with Spencerport's finest uniformed officers escorting traffic through a detour and people through the festivities. I took my mother to the festival on its final day, Sunday, but it did not seem at all like it was the closing day. Streets and nearby plazas alive were jammed with parked vehicles, and there was even a shuttle running from a nearby local park to the location of the festival.

Festivals like the Canal Days of Spencerport are a common occurrence along the Erie Canal, as small towns which grew and fell celebrate their heritage. People come by bicycle, car, foot, and boat to join in the music, the vendors, the food and the carnival style rides available for the community's enjoyment.

Among the food vendors were several catering services, the local Lion's club selling Italian Sausages and soda, Red Osier and the classic carnival vendors with Deep Fried Oreos, Cheesecake on a stick and other equally delectable, yet unhealthy options. Beyond those, there were also lemonade, caramel, cookie, and mustard vendors littered throughout the festival.

Beyond the food, there were two bandstands open with bands and music flitting through the town throughout the day. With classics like, "Let the Good Times Roll" pulsing through the stands, there was little room for dissatisfaction.

The vendors were a great mix of local businesses and more unique businesses from farther away. Just pulling from my memory, there were the normal jewelry and painting vendors, but there were also doll clothes vendors, magnetic bracelets vendors, create-your-own-sign vendors and more.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Canal Days event though, was the support shown by the community. A fundraiser, sponsored by Nothnagle Realty was going on throughout the day that I was there. Little signs were hung in windows: "Welcome to Spencerport Canal Days!" among others. Some of the shops - Abbot's Ice Cream, for example, opened on that Sunday, providing frozen custard to most willing participants. Another shop in town proudly proclaimed that you could paint your own pottery - and had a stand set up where you could, in fact, paint something.

My favorite event of the day was most likely the bookstore open in town though, featuring piles and piles of used books inside as well as outside of the shop. Low prices and a fun staff made that the crowning glory of an absolutely wonderful event held by the town of Spencerport.