Canal flotilla cruises through next week

The 3rd annual Canal Cruise and Trail Trek began last Friday, and is expected to travel through Newark Tuesday afternoon.

Boaters and Bikers participate in this 17-day event that takes them across New York State, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the state Canal System and its new life as a tourist destination.

Seventeen stops along the way include a Monday night stay in Lyons, where travelers will dock at Abbey Park, near the Erie Canal Cultural Center. Over 200 participants are expected.

They will be offered walking tours of Lyons, enjoy exhibits at ECCC, and will then dine at an area restaurant or be welcomed to an Italian buffet at the Elks Club.

The next morning, the group will have breakfast at the ECCC, then continue west. The group is expected to be touring through Newark at about 1:30 p.m., proceeding west to a dinner reception in Fairport, where they will again spend the night.

The tour will continue westward toward Buffalo and conclude on Sunday, July 23.

A detailed map of the trip is available at

www.canals.state.ny.us/trail/trek