Join the fun of Paddlefest on the Oswego Canal on Saturday, July 11!
Hosted by the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, this non-competitive recreational paddling event offers kayakers and canoeists the unique opportunity to "lock through" up to four locks on the historic Oswego Canal.
Participants can launch their craft between 8 and 10am, depending on the course they choose to run. Participants are asked to arrive at their preferred starting point 30 minutes prior to their selected launch time.
The short course is approximately 5.5 miles and launches from Minetto Riverview Park. The long course is approximately 13 miles and launches from Indian Point Park on NYS Route 481 in Fulton, NY. This full paddle trip, geared for experienced paddlers, can take up to six hours depending on the weather and current flow. Paddlers running on either of those two courses will travel through four canal locks and end at Wrights Landing Marina in Oswego where snacks, water, and music will be provided.
An additional second short course is available and runs from Indian Point Park on Route 481 in Fulton, NY to the Minetto Riverview Park on NYS Route 48, in Minetto, NY. This six mile leg takes about two hours to complete. It offers a scenic paddle on the Oswego River but does not go through any canal locks.
Registration costs $35 for adults and $10 for children. Children must be passengers of an adult who is aged 18 or older.
While paddlers may register on-site the morning of the event, there is a limited capacity of 450 participants. This is a rain or shine event.
A shuttle service is available for a nominal fee of $10 per person. Participants must sign up for the service when registering for the event online.
Orders for Paddlefest t-shirts will be taken until Friday, June 26th. The H. Lee White Maritime Museum is also selling raffle tickets for a cooler donated by Eagle Beverage of Oswego filled with prizes. T-shirts or raffle tickets can be purchased online during registration.
For those who want to join in the fun but don't have a kayak, Fair Haven Kayak has rentals. Contact Ron Alexander at 315-466-6649 or ronald.alexander@oswego.edu for details or additional information.
New York Sea Grant (NYSG) is a supporter of Oswego Paddlefest and will be at the Wright's Landing Marina to provide Paddlefest participants with clean, safe, and environmentally friendly information. Other supporting agencies include the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Oswego County, City of Fulton, City of Oswego, and Town of Minetto.
Sponsors for this year's event include Eagle Beverage of Oswego, Adventure at Burritt's Marine and Power Sports, Wayne Drugs, Murdock's Bicycle & Sport, and Sage Physical Therapy.
To register for Oswego Paddlefest 2026, click here: REGISTRATION