What to know about Canal Fest of the Tonawandas 2024
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Canal Fest of the Tonawandas returns this Sunday and will continue for a week until July 21. Here’s your guide on all the events, activities, music and more taking place at the festival:
Where is Canal Fest?
The festival takes place on and around Main and Webster Streets in the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, respectively. Click here to see the full map.
Events and Music
Sunday, July 14
Chalk It Up Street Art Contest
1:30-6 p.m., Main Street in Tonawanda, awards at 6:30 p.m.
Live Music: Louis Christopher Acoustic, 1-3 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Tiny Music, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Blood Money, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Monday, July 15
Live Music: Under Arrest Duo, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Ramblin’ Lou Family Band, 6-8 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: 90 West, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Tuesday, July 16
The Charles Fleishman Canal Fest Parade
Starts at 6:30 p.m. at Minerva and Grove Streets in Tonawanda and ends at Webster and Goundry Streets in NT.
Live Music: Diamondback, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Firefighters Pipe & Drum, after the parade in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: 5D Band, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Street
Wednesday, July 17
Canal Fest Car Cruise
Staging begins at 3 p.m. at Gratwick Park in NT before cruise to Canal Fest Campus at 5:30 p.m. All participants must go to staging first.
Cruise night runs from 6-10 p.m. around Canal Fest
Live Music: Blvd Music Student Recital, noon-3 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Harmony, 6-8 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Phocus, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Stomp Boxes, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Thursday, July 18
The Diaper Derby
Baby race where contestants must crawl and cannot walk. Begins at 6 p.m. on Tremont Street in NT or at Salem Church in Tonawanda in the event of rain. Click here for registration info.
Live Music: Rockabilly Steve and BR3, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Blood Money Duo, 6-8 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Mo Porter, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Friday, July 19
Talent Show of the Tonawandas
Noon on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Canal Fest Bike Cruise
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at Tremont and Main Streets. Bike cruise runs from 5:30-10 p.m. on Webster Street, with awards at 8:30 p.m.
Live Music: Jim Wynne Band, 4-7 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: TBA, 6-8 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Maria Aurigema, 7-10 p.m. on the Webster Street Stage for Bike Cruise Night
Live Music: West of the Mark, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Saturday, July 20
SIKA Challenge Cup
Teams of two have four hours to build boats on the Canal Fest campus with materials supplied by organizers. Boats are held together using only the SIKA product. Race begins at 6 p.m. in the Erie Barge Canal.
Canal Fest Disc Golf Doubles Tournament
9 a.m. check-in, tournament begins at 10 a.m. at Ellicott Creek Park in Tonawanda. Awards are given on Main Stage following the tournament.
Arts & Crafts Show – Day One
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Main and Broad Streets in Tonawanda to Webster and Goundry Streets in NT.
Live Music: Terry Savastano Acoustic, 1-3 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Urban Renewal, 3-6 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Seventh Sign, 8-11 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Sunday, July 21
Arts & Crafts Show – Day Two
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Main and Broad Streets in Tonawanda to Webster and Goundry Streets in NT.
Live Music: Cami and the Fringe, 1-4 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
Live Music: Matt’s Music Vocal Performance Team, 2-4 p.m. in the Canal Street Pavilion
Live Music: Denzel Ward & Cool Platinum, 7-9:30 p.m. on the Sweeney Street Main Stage
What else is there to do?
While events and concerts take place throughout each day, the festival’s midway and games in both NT and Tonawanda are open from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. One-price bracelets for the rides cost $30 Tuesday through Friday and $35 on the weekend. Single-ride tickets are also available.
Food booths are open 5-11 p.m. on weekdays and noon-11 p.m. on weekends.
The festival’s beer tent, located on Sweeney Street in NT, is open from noon to 11 p.m. on the first six days of the event and noon to 5 p.m. on the final Sunday.
Face-painting and wood-turning demonstrations will also be featured daily throughout the festival.
You can see more information about Canal Fest on its website here.
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Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.
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