The H. Lee White Maritime Museum presents Oswego Paddlefest, Saturday, July 19, 2025. This event encourages kayakers and canoeists to enjoy and appreciate the unique beauty of the historic Oswego Canal/River. Paddlers will experience locking through 4 actual canal locks.
Registration is open for $35.00 per ticket. Registration is available by calling the H. Lee White Maritime Museum at 315-342-0480.
CHILDREN- Registration is required for children ages 4-11 at $10 each. Children must be a passenger of an adult who is 18 years of age and older.
T-SHIRT ORDERS- Presale orders of Oswego Paddlefest t-shirts. Be sure to add your T-Shirt order to your ticket purchase to guarantee your size will be available. There will be a limited number of T-Shirts available at event on a first-come, first-serve basis. $25 each/any size. Pre-Sale orders availability will close after June 21, 2025.
MINETTO LAUNCH- from 8 am- 10:00 am (SC-Short course approx. 5.5 mi.) Both trips will end at Wrights Landing in Oswego, just west of the Coast Guard Station.
FULTON LAUNCH- geared for experienced paddlers launching from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at Indian Point (LC-Long course Advanced apprx.13 miles). Both trips will end at Wrights Landing in Oswego, just west of the Coast Guard Station.
NEW SHORT LEG - Fulton to Minetto, 6 miles and 2 hours along the beautiful Oswego River and Canal.
Please arrive at the launch site approximately 30 minutes ahead of your launch time window for either site.
KAYAK RENTALS: Don't have a kayak, and looking to rent one for Paddlefest? Contact Ron Alexander of Fair Haven Kayak at 315-466-6649, or ronald.alexander@oswego.edu. Ron will deliver the kayak to the launch site and retrieve them from the Wrights Landing when done.
SHUTTLE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE: You can drop off your boat at the launch site, then drive and park your vehicle at the Wright's Landing. We can shuttle you back to your boat so you can enjoy your paddle, with your vehicle ready and waiting for you at the end of your trip! If using shuttle service, please plan on arriving at least 1.5 hours early. This will allow time to drop off equipment at launch sites and then drive to the parking lot location. Shuttles leave on the hour at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:00 AM. Note: If you miss a shuttle, you can launch during the next time slot. THE SHUTTLE BUS WILL BE LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT, AT THE END CLOSEST TO GIBBY'S.
ADVANCE CHECK-IN EVENT- Friday, July 18 from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM at the Maritime Museum in Oswego. Goody bags for the first 100 advance check-in participants.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION- While paddlers may register on-site the morning of the event, there is an overall limit of 450 participants.
PADDLE-BOARDERS: Due to new NYS Canal safety regulations paddleboards are prohibited from this event.
Donations in support of this event are appreciated. We have a donation add-on online, or donations in person. Thank you for your support and participation!
NYSG Great Lakes Recreation and Tourism Specialist John Cannaday will also be at hand to provide education on “Clean, Drain, Dry” practices that both non-motorized and motorized boaters can apply to help reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Other supporting agencies include United States Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Oswego County, City of Fulton, City of Oswego, Town of Minetto, Oswego Health, Adventure at Burritt's, Eagle Beverage, Michelob Ultra Zero, Murdock Bicycle & Sport, Robert Berkley Physical Therapy, and Wayne Drugs.
For everyone's safety this event is recommended for ages 12 and older. Life jackets and whistles are required. The total paddle trip may be 6 hours or more. Sorry, no pets. Waivers will be required for every person attending.
RAIN OR SHINE THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE. NO REFUNDS.