City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, Sept. 17, 2010) – Mayor Robert J. Duffy and Rochester City Council will welcome the 2010 World Canal Conference to Rochester on Sunday, Sept. 19. The conference was also held here in 2000, making Rochester the first city to repeat as host of the conference. Delegates from 17 countries will be in attendance. The conference will run through Friday, Sept. 24.
The World Canal Conference aims to bring together canal and waterway enthusiasts from around the world to learn about a variety of topics related to canals, including the protection of historic canals, revitalization of canal systems and canals as a means to promote tourism and encourage economic development.
A wide array of family activities are planned, thanks to generous support from Mayor Duffy, City Council and event sponsors. Opening day entertainment at the Blue Cross Arena will include Erie Canal cloggers, singers from Spotlight Studios and dancers from the Young School of Irish Dancers. Beer and wine tastings from Finger Lakes and other New York wineries are also available.
The World Canal Conference Time Warner Cable Flotilla promises to be especially stunning. This centerpiece attraction includes the Lois McClure, a fully functional replica 1862-class sailing canal boat; New York State Canal Corporation vessels (Grand Erie, Urger, Seneca and DeWitt Clinton) and a fleet of private vessels.
Museum exhibits from The Landmark Society of Western New York, the Rundel Library and the Rochester Museum and Science Center will be set up in the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Rochester Historical Society will be displaying two of nine Joseph C. Holloran murals. These large, painted murals depict local scenes and were originally hung downtown from the front of the Cafe Deluxe during the early part of the 20th century. After years of storage, the murals were rediscovered, but needed expensive restoration. In August, City Council approved the spending of up to $33,000 to restore the “Colonel Rochester arriving in the Genesee Valley” mural. This historic mural will be one of the two displayed Sunday at the Blue Cross Arena along with “Main Street Bridge.” “Main Street Bridge” and a third mural, “The Aqueduct,” will return to the Rochester Historical Society for display after this weekend. The “Colonel Rochester” mural will be sent for restoration.
Sunday schedule of events:
• 12:30 p.m.: Bike Along with the Flotilla. Contact Richard DeSarra at 461-5363 or
e-mail rdscomm@rochester.rr.com for more information about riding.
• 1 p.m.: World Canals Conference Time Warner Cable Flotilla, Corn Hill Landing, Exchange St. and S. Plymouth Ave.
• 1 to 5 p.m.: Community Day events at Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Square
• 1 to 5 p.m.: Aqueduct tours, behind the Blue Cross Arena, beneath Broad Street
• 1 to 6 p.m.: Boat tours, Corn Hill Landing
• 1 to 3 p.m.: Boys of Wexford Performance, aboard The Grand Erie, Corn Hill Landing
• 1 to 4 p.m.: Paint the Scene with international artist Eric Waugh, Corn Hill Landing
• 2:45 to 3 p.m.: Official conference welcome and program announcement from the City of Rochester, Monroe County and World Canal Conference officials, Corn Hill Landing
• 3 to 4 p.m.: Ray Ricker World Canals Big Band Performance, Corn Hill Landing
• 8:30 p.m.: Laser Light Show, High Falls
For more information about opening day events or the conference, call Jean or Amanda Dalmath at 586-6650.
For more information about the Holloran murals or how you can help to restore them please, call Meredith Keller, executive director of the Rochester Historical Society at 428-8475.
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News Media: For more information, please call Jean or Amanda Dalmath at 586-6650.