2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebrations

When:

Saturday, September 27, 2025

to Sunday, September 28, 2025

Special Events

Pittsford Celebrates Erie Canal Bicentennial – September 27 & 28

Pittsford will join in the statewide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s completion with a weekend of special activities on Saturday and Sunday, September 27–28, 2025.

A highlight of the festivities will be the arrival of the Seneca Chief, a historic replica canal boat that honors the original vessel which made the inaugural journey from Buffalo to New York Harbor in 1825.

The Erie Canal has deep roots in Pittsford. The section running through our village was completed in 1822, and just three years ago, in 2022, the community marked its own 200th anniversary. Now, we proudly come together again to celebrate the completion of the Canal end to end.

The Pittsford Village Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee has organized a variety of activities, performances, and exhibits throughout the weekend, offering something for all ages to enjoy while honoring this vital part of New York’s history.

September 27

9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

Click below for more details.

September 28

10:00 aM-4:00 PM

Click below for more details.

Decorate Your Dock!

On Sunday, September 28th, the village of Pittsford will host a historic reenactment of the "Wedding of the Waters" voyage of the Seneca Chief, a replica of the first boat to travel the entire length of the Erie Canal. The village and local organizations are planning multiple events to commemorate the canal, including a formal gathering on the same day. The Pittsford Rotary Club is sponsoring a "Decorate your Dock" competition, with trophies and ribbons awarded in various categories.

We would like to encourage the local homeowners, area community organizations and business to decorate their docks, boats and waterfront areas facing the canal to greet our visitors arriving aboard the Senica Chief flotilla that day.

If you would like to invite a noncommercial local organization, i.e. school, church, youth groups (Scouts, Sports Teams, etc.) to decorate your dock or other space visible from the canal, please indicate that on the form and we will attempt to facilitate the matching of your site and a group with your approval.

To have your location to be considered the morning of September 28th, we are asking you to complete the attached entry form and return to: Pittsford Rotary, PO Box 161, Pittsford NY 14534 before September 22nd, or email: pittsfordrotary@gmail.com.

ENTRY FORM