CHITTENANGO — The 2024 Boat Float n' Folk Festival drew large crowds to the Chittenango Landing Boat museum on Saturday to celebrate the unique history of the Erie Canal. Many attendees took part in the boat float to experience the beauty of the canal from the water itself. After paddling along a scenic route on a preserved part of the canal, they came to a stop at Chittenango Landing.
They joined those that did not take part in the boat float to enjoy live music, food, and various activities and demonstrations often centered around art. Michele Farwell, one of the festival organizers, said that she was impressed with the turnout for the event this year. “We’ve had over 200 paddlers in the water and probably well over 200 people walking in on the grounds just for the exhibits and the arts and the music and food and all the extra fun that we have here.
" she said. Those attending the festival had the opportunity to learn about the history of the canal by walking through the museums outdoor exhibits. John Whitford, a representative for the Erie Canal Historic Trail Program, feels that the legacy of the canal and the role it played in the development of the United States gets unfairly overshadowed.
“The Erie Canal was probably more important to the development of the nation than the railroad system." he said. Farwell said that while the organizers wanted the festival to provide entertainment, they also see it as a unique opportunity to educate people on the role that they.