City of Tonawanda votes to shorten Canal Fest to 6 days

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The City of Tonawanda Common Council on Tuesday night voted to shorten Canal Fest in the city from eight to six days.

Canal Fest — shared by the city of Tonawanda and the city of North Tonawanda — first started in 1983 and has since brought a variety of festivities to residents and visitors every summer. It will now run from July 15-20 in Tonawanda, but remain eight days long, from July 13-20, in North Tonawanda.

The vote follows the council’s concerns about financing, security, sharing responsibilities and in previous years, the number of rides on its side of the festival.

Last year, North Tonawanda agreed to a contract with the festival until 2026. In Tonawanda, there was uncertainty about the future of Canal Fest up until Tuesday night since last year, the council approved a one-year agreement by a 3-2 vote.

Tonawanda Mayor John White cited an increase in costs as a reason for the council’s vote.

“We don’t have a big police force,” White said. “We’re half the size of North Tonawanda and our budget is a lot smaller and it costs us a lot to protect our people and the people who come to Canal Fest and for the officers that work it.”

In Tuesday’s meeting, First Ward Council Member James Shiesley advocated against hosting Canal Fest, saying it has “run it’s course” and that the event ends up costing taxpayers more money.

“It’s just something that — costing us money, costing us aggravation, we don’t have the police at this time,” he said. “It’s something that I believe we can live without.”

Second Ward Council Member Christopher Fisher called this year’s change a “great compromise” and pushed for continuing to improve and adjust as time goes on instead of canceling it.

White said that he doesn’t want to see Canal Fest leave the city and is looking forward to the event.

“I love Canal Fest. I think it’s a great event,” White said. “How can I not like 150,000 people coming to our city? It’s exciting because I get to show them what we’re about and living on three waterways — it’s just beautiful, beautiful location.”

North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said the city will continue to coordinate with Tonawanda to keep Canal Fest a safe and fun event.

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