The Empire State will end its 2025 boating season with a series of Bicentennial Flotillas across the Erie Canal beginning Wednesday, September 24, in Buffalo.
Recently announced by the New York State Canal Corporation, the four waterborne parades are capstones to a summer-long series of special events that celebrated the 200th season of operation for the historic 524-mile waterway.
The flotillas are being led by the Buffalo Maritime Center’s Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief, a full-scale replica of the vessel Governor DeWitt Clinton traveled on from Buffalo to New York City in 1825, when the canal opened.
Timed with the 2025 World Canals Conference, the newly built replica canal boat will begin its journey and lead the way from Buffalo to Waterford over three weeks.
Seneca Chief’s Departure
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Seneca Chief departs Buffalo, NY. Beginning at 8:30 am, the public is invited to gather at the Commercial Slip on Buffalo’s waterfront to hear remarks from state and local dignitaries, and then cheer the sendoff.
When the Seneca Chief reaches a port, the public can experience free, family-friendly activities that bring canal history to life.
While docked, the vessel becomes a floating museum that allows you to step aboard to explore recreated cabins, view historical artifacts, and engage with interactive exhibits that illuminate the canal’s cultural, economic, and environmental significance – including the contributions of Indigenous communities.
On shore, Buffalo Maritime Center will host special events, educational programs, and hands-on wooden boatbuilding activities for all ages.
Each stop will feature meaningful ceremonies with local dignitaries and community members that embody both commemoration and remembrance.
To honor the Haudenosaunee and promote sustainability, Eastern White Pine trees – the Great Tree of Peace – will be planted along the route.
In a modern echo of the 1825 “Wedding of the Waters” tradition, each community will add local canal water to a traveling cask aboard the Seneca Chief; that water will be used to nurture the final tree in New York City, symbolically uniting our state.
This all-ages event is non-ticketed and free to the public. It will take place rain or shine.
Notice to Mariners
Mariners transiting the Erie Canal while the flotillas are underway should use caution and be prepared for possible locking delays and limited dock space at Canal Corporation facilities.
Boaters wishing to join one of the four Erie Canal Bicentennial Flotillas in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or Waterford can register here. The Canal Corporation advises that space may be limited.
Additional information can be found at eriecanalway.org/bicentennial.
Erie Canal Bicentennial Flotillas Schedule (departure and arrival times estimated)
Buffalo to Lockport – Wednesday, September 24
Departure: 10 a.m., 44 Prime St., Buffalo (Canalside)
Arrival: 1:30 p.m., Tonawanda (Gateway Harbor)
Departure: 2:30 p.m., Tonawanda (Gateway Harbor)
Arrival: 5:30 p.m.: 80 Canal St., Lockport (Flight of Five forebay)
Distance: 30 miles
Number of locks: 2 – Locks E-34/35 (Lockport)
Estimated travel time: 8 hours
Rochester to Fairport – Sunday, September 28
Departure: 10 a.m., 280 Exchange Blvd., Rochester (Corn Hill Landing)
Arrival: 12:15 p.m., Pittsford (Schoen Place)
Departure: 2:15 p.m., Pittsford (Schoen Place)
Arrival: 3:30 p.m., Fairport (Erie Canal at the Box Factory)
Distance: 17 miles
Number of locks: 2 – Lock E-33 (Henrietta) and Lock E-32 (Pittsford)
Estimated travel time: 5 hours
Baldwinsville to Syracuse – Saturday, October 4, 2025
Departure: 10 a.m., 136 Spensieri Ave. Baldwinsville (Paper Mill Island)
Arrival: 12 p.m., 106 Lake Dr., Liverpool (Onondaga Lake State Park)
Distance: 8.5 miles
Number of locks: 1 – Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)
Estimated travel time: 2.5 hours
Schenectady to Waterford – Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Departure: 9 a.m., 220 Harborside Dr., Schenectady (Mohawk Harbor)
Arrival: 4 p.m., 1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford (Waterford Harbor)
Distance: 16 miles
Number of locks: 6 – Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) and Locks E-6 through E-2 (Waterford)
Estimated travel time: 7 hours
Read more about the Erie Canal.
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