For those who are feeling a bit of that post-Fourth of July letdown, this weekend’s Canalfest is the perfect remedy. Communities up and down the canal, from locks 7 through 12, will be celebrating with fireworks, music and dance on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13.
In Glenville, Maalwayck Park will host a recreational vehicle show sponsored by Alpin Haus.
New this year at the park is an educational program called Sky Hunters in Flight, which features birds of prey such as owls, hawks and falcons.
River activities will include boat rides, crew and rowing demonstrations and rides with Scotia-Glenville Crew Team. There will also be canoeing and kayaking demonstrations and trials with The Boat House.
Other park activities include a Riverfront Walk with locally acclaimed storyteller, guide and tracker Jim Bruchac.
Glenville Canalfest committee member Jamie McFarland said a kite exhibit will be at Maalwyck Park in honor of the popular Schenectady County `One County One Book` choice, `The Kite Runner.`
`We thought we would incorporate what was a popular reading event in the county with Canalfest,` said McFarland.
Other exhibits will include `The Electric Powered Aeromodelers,` who will demonstrate and teach about electric-powered, radio-controlled aircraft that perform aerobatic feats, `Daytime Astronomy,` Frisbee games and competitions, family golf with `Dr. Divot` of Glenville, and rock climbing with Electric City Rock Gym Mobile Climbing Wall. Also at the park will be face painters, plenty of refreshments for sale, and exhibitors.
In Rotterdam, the Mabee Farm Historic Site will host a free two-day music festival featuring Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Little Toby Walker, Roy Hurd, Yarn, Susan Trump, Riverview Ramblers and Landfill Mountain Boys. A complete music performance schedule can be found at www.schist.org/canalschedule.html.
In Scotia, a parade plus many different musical acts will be part of Freedom Park’s activities. The U.S. Water-ski Team will also be performing throughout the weekend.
The party begins on Friday with a `Barge Bash` at the River Stone Manor in Glenville with music, food and entertainment. The price is $25 per ticket.
Schenectady County native Kristen Trears said she and her husband, John, plan their summer trip back home from Queens around the Canalfest.
`Our 4- and 6-year-old sons love the Canalfest. There are non-stop activities that are family friendly, and it really does show you just how much this area has to offer in the summertime,` said Trears.
For information about Canalfest dates, times and locations, go online to www.lock7-12canalfest.com.“