Erie Canal Boat "Seneca Chief" 2025 - LYONS
Wed, Oct 01
|Lyons
Wayne County Welcomes the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief for a commemorative celebration of community along the Erie Canal!
Time & Location
Oct 01, 2025, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Lyons, 27 Water St, Lyons, NY 14489, USA
About the event
GENERAL INFORMATION
BUFFALO MARITIME CENTER - ERIE CANAL BOAT SENECA CHIEF INFORMATION
Timeline of LYONS Events and Activities (estimated):
12:00pm WELCOME TENT - Stop in at 27 Water Street for information on the Day's events.
1:00pm OPTIONAL: Public Entourage meets boat at Abbey Park Landing. Walk Towpath alongside boat to Event Location. If you would like to join the community as we first see and greet the Seneca Chief from land, please Contact Us to let us know, and please make arrangements to be at Abbey Park by 1pm. Entourage will be accompanied by "A Mule Named Sal" and by the Towpath Fife and Drum Corps.
2:00pm WATER/LAND: Seneca Chief Locks through E27; Docks at Lyons Northside Low Dock. Many Photos Ops & Viewing of this historic occasion from a safe distance along the towpath, Leach Rd. bridge (pedestrians only), or southside park. Welcome tent will be set up at 27 Water Street to greet the public and answer questions.
2:30pm DOCKSIDE: CEREMONY OF COMMEMORATION. (Towpath Fife & Drum) Seneca Chief Crew, Dignitaries, Fire Dept. Water Salute (Spray over Canal).
3pm – 7pm FLOATING EXHIBIT: Seneca Chief on-board exhibit & Buffalo Maritime Center Boat-Building demonstrations. The boat will be Open to the public to get on board and view the boat. This will take place in a controlled cue, no tickets necessary, at dockside behind the Lyons Fire Dept. Please visit the Welcome Tent for directions.
3pm – 7pm BIG TENT: Vendors and Displays will be set up under the big tent including Big Ditch Brewing sponsorship and BMC Souvenirs; Historic Displays; Postcards & Lyons Commemorative Postal Cancellation.
3pm - 7pm MUSEUMS: Both the Peppermint Museum and County Museum will be Open with Canal displays; Plus the Lyons Fire Dept will offer dinner options with Dogs and Burgers Fundraiser.
5pm – 7pm BIG TENT: Live Music - Mike Gonzalez and Whorlwood
5pm – 7pm "Old Canal" TOWN TOUR: Horse Drawn Wagon (KQ Percherons) Tour “along the historic old canal" featuring Historic Pursuits. Tour Starts at 27 Water St. and then north on William St, east/right on Canal St., south/right on Geneva St. then immediate right/southwest along old canal path (parking lot access – across Montezuma) to Water St, west/right on Water St. to Peppermint Museum with U-turn and stop at Peppermint Museum and return to 27 Water St. (Approximately 1 mile; 12-15 minutes).
CLICK MAP FOR LINK TO GOOGLE MAPS OF EVENT LOCATION.
General Contact: Deb Hall 315-576-0415 dhall@waynehistory.org
Water Events Contact: Bob Stopper 315-573-1068 rastopper@gmail.com
Sponsoring organizations: The Boehmler Foundation, Nelson B. Delavan Foundation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Lyons Heritage Society, Wayne County Historical Society, Town of Lyons, Lyons Fire Dept., Big Ditch Brewing (Seneca Chief sponsor), M&T Bank (Seneca Chief sponsor), DeWolf Party Rentals, Wayne County Tourism, Lyons Canalside Greeters, Lyons Main St. Program and Businesses, Evolve The Christmas Store, Trailworks, and more.
Each Town in Wayne County where the Buffalo Maritime Center crew and the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief stops, will hold unique events to commemorate the boat's arrival. Please visit the following Town Sites to learn more.