October
The Museum began celebrating National Mule Day in 1994 and in 1997 increased the scope of the event, transforming it into a children's festival. This special event features activities that would have been found along the Erie Canal during the 1800's. While the focus is on children, the activities are designed for enjoyment by family members of all ages.

Presenters include folk singers, first-person interpreters and storytellers. Craftsmen will give demonstrations and hands-on workshops. There will be children's games such as hoop rolling and bean bag tosses and the "Towpath Detective" Museum scavenger hunt. Special features again this year are a blacksmith, a puppeteer and a seamstress. The blacksmith will be forging items that would have been used in the 1800's such as mule shoes, harness tackle and nails. The puppeteer uses "Sal the Mule" to present stories and songs about the Erie Canal. The program is based on diary excerpts, folklore and other historical information and stresses audience participation and humor. A fiddler will provide authentic period music.

As in the past, Museum staff members, Weighlock Guild members and volunteers will contribute their time and talent for this event. The festival's target audience is families, with activities being designed accordingly. The public is invited to attend, free of charge, in an effort to attract non-traditional, under-served audiences from the Museum's surrounding urban neighborhoods.

December
The delicious aroma of ginger and candy waft through the air leading you to the second floor gallery. Each year the Erie Canal Museum transforms it into a festive 1800's street scene, with over 30 gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. These sweet creations are made locally by professional and amateur bakers.

Visit us again or for the first time to enjoy the sights and scents of the Gingerbread Gallery!

• Please call the Museum Educator at (315) 471-0593 ext. 13 for information about entering your gingerbread creation.
• Both the Gingerbread Gallery and Erie Canal Museum are open seven days a week 10 am to 5pm
• Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.