North Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - Going into this year's event, many were wondering would the Canal Fest shift from the City of Tonawanda and City of North Tonawanda's Gateway Harbor business district be a success?
The short answer: Shifting the annual summer event to Gratwick Park worked and worked well enough to the point where the festival organizers are leaning towards - at least for next year - keeping it in the spacious River Road park.
North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said he has had informal discussions with the Canal Fest hierarchy and they have indicated keeping the festival at Gratwick Park next summer.
"From my perspective, I think it worked out well," Tylec said.
Since its inception, Canal Fest had been held along the Webster Street spine of the Gateway Harbor business district that connects both ciites.
This year, a new arrangement couldn't be reached with the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda suggested the move to Gratwick Park as an alternative site.
It worked.
Despite some weather issues, Canal Fest attracted more than 100,000 people during its eight day run in July.
Canal Fest's organizing committee will revisit the Gratwick Park option next month. Committee members declined further comment.
"Obviously, there are things that need to be tweaked," Tylec said.
City of Tonawanda Mayor William Strassburg has also heard, unofficially, that Canal Fest will return to Gratwick Park next summer.
"From a logistics point of view, it work better," Strassburg said.
"From my perspective, I think it worked out well" - Austin Tylec
"From my perspective, I think it worked out well" - Austin Tylec
