It's one of New York State's favorite festivals, but it's being cut back in 2025.

The Empire State is home to many festivals. Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, Spiedie Fest in Binghamton, The Rochester International Jazz Festival, and The Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo are just a handful of examples of great festivals that happen in New York State.

Specifically, this Western New York Festival, which celebrates one of the state's great historical accomplishments, is seeing a cutback.

A Massive Festival is Being Cut Back in New York

Canal Fest, celebrated in the City of Tonawanda, NY, has long been a favorite of Upstate New Yorkers and beyond. Described as being the largest outdoor festival of its kind, the celebration is two square miles of entertainment and vendors celebrating the great Erie Canal. Nearly 200,000 people visit the festival annually. The Canal created the gateway to the west, carrying people from New York City to Buffalo and ultimately further west. Tonawanda, which is right next to Buffalo, served as a very important part of this history.

The festival has historically been eight days long, but officials announced it will be cut to 6 days in 2025. Budget, security, and sharing of duties concerns are what was cited as to why.

Despite the cutbacks, the festival is always an amazing time. The City of Tonawanda has come alive in recent years. It's absolutely a trip you should take with the family. If you can, take a boat own the canal and get an authentic experience.

What do you think about Canal Fest being cut back to 6 days? Text us on our app.

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