Ed Smith spoke with Ginny Swarthout, the Director for the Spencerport Canal Days. She is part of a committee of volunteers that operate a 501C that puts on the canal days event each year.
-The idea behind the Canal Days is to celebrate and increase the appreciation for the Erie Canal as a resource while showcasing the village of Spencerport
-Ginny talked about how this is their 40th anniversary of the event and some of the new things people can expect at the event from food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and the car show
-She encouraged people to enjoy the event with family members and buy a Canaligattor for the race as this is a big fundraiser for them.
-She talked about the new tasting items available in the tasting tent, the shuttle bus that is available to make things easier for families or handicapped people
-She talked about how one of the food stands is run by the local Rotary Club and another is run by the Kiwanis Club and this acts as a fundraising event for them
-Ginny explained that all proceeds from the event go to various local nonprofit groups. Many of these organizations are looking for support to complete a project they are working on. They are giving some of the proceeds to the law enforcement/security organization in the village and Aurora House this year. She talked about how in year’s past they have funded a pavilion at a local park and assisted the village with other mainstreet enhancement projects.
-Ginny said they are looking for volunteers to sign up to help with next year’s event, they will have applications at the event or on their website.