City of Tonawanda Mayor hopes to extend Canal Fest contract

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The 40th year of Canal Fest has been going strong this week, welcoming hundreds of neighbors to the Tonawandas.

Canal fest has been a mainstay at the border of the Tonawandas for decades. However, there was uncertainty about whether the City of Tonawanda would participate in the festivities this year.

Mayor of Tonawanda John White says the council was originally concerned with security and location of rides. A lot of children gathering and causing trouble was also a worrying thought for the council.

“Rides bring a lot of kids. You know, a lot of kids bring a lot of concern,” said White.

Rides have since been dispersed. For the second time in 40 years, rides at the festival are also in North Tonawanda. White says he’s relived that the towns are sharing the responsibility.

“It brings our load down on our officers for keeping everybody safe,” continued White. “It brings the responsibility down a little bit. So, I think we did a lot of things to help it out.”

North Tonawanda mayor Austin Tylec agrees, telling us that police haven’t responded to any trouble on either side up to this point, a change from years past.

“On both sides we have police officers, firefighters, EMT is even on duty,” Tylec said. “SWAT at times just in case. So we’re taking safety seriously.”

City council members approved a one-year agreement with the Canal Fest organizers by a vote of 3-2. However, since it is only one year, some uncertainty still remains about the future of the festival.

“[The future] depends on how this finishes out,” White said. “You want to make sure it goes smoothly so that it will encourage the council people to make a good decision. No issues helps and costs being finalized and done. I get all reports from all the different departments, how much overtime they had, and then when that’s all done it makes it better to make an intelligent decision moving forward for the next year.”

Neighbors say that it would be a shame for the city not to renew the contract.

“There are other festivals in the outskirts, but this is a local one,” said Tonawandan Joe Loiacono. “Our summers here are so short. So, if they eliminate another carnival or festival, you know, what are people going to do.”

Mayor White is hoping for a two-year contract extension that would conclude with North Tonawanda’s in 2026. This year’s fest wraps up this coming Sunday.

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.