Paddlefest Makes a Splashing Return to the Oswego Canal July 11

OSWEGO COUNTY – Join the fun of Paddlefest on the Oswego Canal Saturday, July 11! Hosted by the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, this non-competitive recreational paddling event offers kayakers and canoeists the unique opportunity to “lock through” up to four locks on the historic Oswego River Canal. Registration opens on Saturday, May 16.

Participants can launch their craft between 8 and 10 a.m., depending on which course they choose to run. They are asked to arrive at their preferred starting point 30 minutes ahead of launch time.

The original short course launches from Minetto Riverview Park. At approximately 5.5 miles, it can take up to four hours to finish. The long course is approximately 13 miles and launches from Indian Point Park on NYS Rte. 481 in Fulton. This full paddle trip, geared for experienced paddlers, can take up to six hours depending on weather and current flow. Paddlers running on either of these two courses will travel through four canal locks and end at Wright’s Landing Marina in Oswego where snacks, water and music will be provided.

A second short course introduced in 2024 is available again this year. It runs from Indian Point Park on NYS Rte. 481 in Fulton to Minetto Riverview Park on NYS Rte. 48. This six-mile leg takes about two hours to complete. It offers a scenic paddle on the Oswego River but does not go through any canal locks.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children. Children must be passengers of an adult who is aged 18 or older. Once registration opens, people can click on this registration link to reserve a spot.

Paddlers may also register onsite the morning of the event, but there is a limit of 450 participants, so it fills up fast. Oswego Paddlefest will be held rain or shine.

A shuttle service is available for a nominal fee of $10 per person. Participants must sign up for the service when registering for the event online.

Orders for Paddlefest t-shirts will be taken until Friday, June 26. The museum will also sell raffle tickets for a cooler donated by Eagle Beverage filled with prizes. T-shirts or raffle tickets can be purchased online during registration.

For those who want to join in the fun, but don’t have a kayak, Fair Haven Kayak has rentals available. Contact Ron Alexander at 315-466-6649 or [email protected] for details.

New York Sea Grant (NYSG) is a supporter of Oswego Paddlefest and will be at Wright’s Landing to provide participants with clean, safe and environmentally friendly boating information.

Other supporting agencies include United States Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Oswego County, City of Fulton, City of Oswego and Town of Minetto. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is celebrating the Bicentennial of the opening of the Erie Canal. This event is part of the Erie Canalway Challenge program.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Eagle Beverage, Adventure at Burritt’s Marine and Power Sports, Wayne Drugs, Murdock’s Bicycle & Sports and Sage Physical Therapy.

For a full list of Paddlefest guidelines, go to the H. Lee White Maritime Museum website at www.hlwmm.org. For more details and other maritime activities, find the museum’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hlwmm.

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