Entries sought in annual Erie Canal photo contest
Photo by Tom Rivers: A blue heron takes off over the Medina Waterfalls after rain stopped on the afternoon of June 25, 2026. This photo was taken from the high wall on the north side of the Erie Canal. This is by the spot where the Oak Orchard Creek runs under the Erie Canal.
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is seeking entries for its 21st annual contest highlighting the Erie Canal. The entries are due on Friday.
Last year there were 334 entries for the contest. There was one Orleans County scene that was a winner in the 2025 contest. Peggy Barringer of Albion received an honorable mention for a wintry scene along the canal in Medina.
Entries are judged by a team of professional photographers, designers, and canal experts. They evaluate each image on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of the canalway.
Judges select first, second, and third place winning images in each contest category, as well as 12 honorable mentions
Winning images will be featured in the 2027 Erie Canalway Calendar, which will be available at no cost in libraries, visitor centers, and by request. Funding support for the calendar is provided by the NYS Canal Corporation and the National Park Service.
Images must be taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.
This year’s contest categories include: A Vibrant Connector: Waterways, Parks, and Trails; Past Meets Present; The Canal at Work; and Scenic Beauty.
For more information on the contest, click here.
