Events
Biathlon
Sunday afternoon the 5k run and 2k kayak race will be held with both individual and team biathlon competition. This year we add a kids' competition for kids 8-14 with free registration and a parent/child contest as well. Registration begins at 4 p.m., and there is a registration fee of $20 for an individual and $25 for a team. If you wish to preregister here is the Entry Form See 2010 photos: run kayak See 2011 winners.
Bikers for Babies
Canalfest at Bellamy Harbor Park is the Utica-Rome start site for the largest motorcycle benefit ride event in central New York. The ride departes at 10:30 am, registration began at 9:30 am on Saturday, August 6. The Ride concludes at Quaker Steak and Lube, Syracuse. Proceeds go to the March of Dimes.
Childrens Events
A whole new area of children's events has been added this year, all held in the food demo tent.
watermelon seed spitting contest ... 1 p.m. Saturday, August 6
balloon relay race .......................... 2 p.m. Saturday, August 6
bubblegum blowing contest ............ 3 p.m. Saturday, August 6
freeze dance contest ..................... 4 p.m. Saturday, August 6
crazy balloon face contest ............ 5 p.m. Saturday, August 6
cupcake walk ................................... 1 p.m. Sunday, August 7
straight face contest ........................ 1 p.m. Sunday, August 7
relay race ........................................ 2 p.m. Sunday, August 7
coloring contest ............................... 3 p.m. Sunday, August 7
hula hoop contest ........................... 4 p.m. Sunday, August 7
dance contest ................................. 5 p.m. Sunday, August 7
Cooking Contests
The annual cooking contest will consist of the following categories: Anything Pickled, Chips & Dips, Cobbler, Cookies and Jams & Jellies. Small cash prizes will be awarded. Contact Jackie Corbett for any additional details. Entries must be received at the Food Demonstration Tent as follows:
Cookies - 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, August 5 ................... entry form
Jams& Jellies - 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 6 ...... entry form
Chips & Dips - 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 6 ....... entry form
Anything Pickled - 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 7 .... entry form
Cobbler - 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 7 .................. entry form
Eating Contest
There will be a hot dogs eating contest at the Food Demonstration Tent Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Fishing Derby
The annual Family Fishing Derby is also back again with anglers gearing up Saturday morning in the park. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and fish must be caught between 8 and noon to be eligible for weigh-ins. Participants must have a valid fishing license and provide their own equipment. There are both adult (13 and over) and children divisions (12 and under) in both game fish and non-game fish categories. Door prizes and cash awards will be presented. See the Derby Announcement. See photos 2010
Flower Show and Plant Sale
Whether you have a green thumb or just like flowers, the ninth annual Rome
Rotary Canalfest is again featuring a nationally
accredited flower show, entitled Festival of Flowers 2011 -- A Garden Bookshop
As the show did last year, horticulture will be all home grown by exhibitors, and many of the designs will have garden grown flowers as well. However, purchased flowers are acceptable for the designs. This year the flower show theme is books, and it features new design types for the Canalfest audience - Floor Design and Underwater Designs. Floor designs are BIG! They start on the floor and extend up as far as the designer's imagination permits. They will have eight foot backgrounds, and their theme is "Travel and Adventure". Underwater designs must have part of the design underwater and in a clear glass container; their theme is "Oceanography". In addition, there will be two table classes "Romantic Interlude" and "Mysteries". Miniature designs (5" maximum) return this year with "Story Time". The show committee is preparing for twenty designs and lots of horticulture, and plans to have another interesting show for Canalfest visitors.
There will be two Educational Exhibits: 1. Composting with Worms, and 2. Native NY Plants
We're continuing the plant sale - all plants are home grown. We'll offer some tried and true show winners! Proceeds are to help defray show costs.
Exhibits will be accepted by the National Garden Clubs' standards, and the show will be judged by nationally accredited judges from Federated Garden Clubs of NYS, Inc.
Exhibitors must be members of Fort Stanwix Garden Club of Rome, Hillsboro Garden Club of Camden, other members of NYSFGC Inc. from District 5, or Student Judges from Districts 4, 5, 6.
The flower show is located in the boathouse adjacent to the canal at Bellamy Harbor Park and is open throughout the three-day festival.
See Flower Show photos:
2010
,
2009
Photography Contest
The Rome Rotary Club is pleased to sponsor a photography contest, to be held in the boathouse at Canalfest this year. Read more... To submit an entry use this Form.
Water Ski Show
This years water ski show will be new and improved. It will be held Saturday at 3:00 and later at 7:00. The show will feature everything from ballet skiing to flips, jumps and a 12-man pyramid. Skiers range in age from seven to 18, says Serth, who started the ski school in 1994. See Canalfest '09 Water Ski Show photos. See 2009 videos: 1, 2, 3 ,4 See 2011 Waterski photos
"Who Let the Dogs Out"
Saturday from 10 am - 1 pm is the 6th Annual "Who Let the Dogs Out" event. The Rome City Clerk joined forces with Rome Rotary to promote health & safety tips to pet owners and have a lot of fun. There are contests for biggest dog, smallest dog, best costume, K9 Karaoke, Dancing with the Stars, Do you look like your dog, and people's choice. New this year, will be to recognize "Canine Survivors". If you pet has survived a major illness and you would like your pet recognized, please contact the Rome City Clerk's Office. Contestants need to pre-registrar by August 4th at the Rome City Clerk's Office. The Entry Form is
available in both Word
"Ya Gotta Regatta"
This year will be the third annual V.I.P.S Regatta. Contestants will build and race a floating craft. Anything that floats can enter as long as there are no standard boat parts. The craft will be displayed and judged in several categories. The craft will then be raced. See the Registration Form for further detail.. See photos 2009 and 2010.