Erie Canalway Winners Announced for Photo Contest
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has selected winners for its 21st annual photography competition.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in National Parks
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The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor recently announced the winners of its 21st annual photo contest. Judges chose top entries across four categories, along with 12 honorable mentions from a pool of 302 total submissions.
Why it matters
The contest highlights the historic beauty of the waterway through community engagement and art. These winning photographs will serve as the centerpiece for the upcoming 2027 Erie Canalway Calendar.
The 21st annual competition attracted 302 entries, resulting in winners across four distinct categories and 12 honorable mentions. Winning images are currently available for public viewing on the organization's official website.
The players
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
This organization manages the preservation and promotion of the historic canal system across New York state.
National Park Service
This federal agency provides financial support and oversight for historic heritage sites across the United States.
NYS Canal Corporation
This state authority is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the New York State Canal System.
The details
Judges evaluated hundreds of photos depicting the historic canal system to select the final winners and honorable mentions. The resulting collection will be professionally printed and distributed in the 2027 Erie Canalway Calendar, with funding provided by the National Park Service and the NYS Canal Corporation.
Timeline
The 21st annual photo contest took place in 2026.
The 2027 calendar becomes available at area libraries on December 1, 2026.
The resulting collection is published for the 2027 calendar year.
Travel Outlook
This photography contest follows a long-standing pattern of documenting regional tourism during the off-season. It aligns with historical efforts to promote the corridor as a destination beyond the peak summer travel months.
Residents can visit local libraries starting December 1 to pick up the new 2027 calendar featuring the winning regional photography. Travelers interested in the area can also view the winning gallery online to identify scenic photo spots for future trips.
The takeaway
The contest underscores how public art can bridge the gap between historic preservation and community involvement. Readers looking for local inspiration may find the upcoming calendar a useful resource for planning future travel throughout the state.
What happens next
The 2027 Erie Canalway Calendar will be available at area libraries starting December 1, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the history and preservation of the region in the National Parks section.
More information
To see the featured photography, view winning contest images online.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Westside News Inc.
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