The 30th CSNY Winter Symposium has come and gone, and it certainly did not disappoint. Over 150 canal fans gathered in Rochester to learn about a wide array of topics related to the people, vessels, engineering, and planning of the Erie Canal over its more than 200 years of history.

A very special presentation at the event was the premiere of short music video created in honor of the 200th anniversary of the completion of the first iteration of the waterway. Give it a listen, sing along, give it a thumbs-up, and then pass the YouTube link on to friends. Start by clicking on the image below.

If you were in attendance at the gathering, drop a comment below about your favorite presentation(s). We’d love to hear what you think.

If you wish me to lead by example, here’s my reaction making a difficult choice of two favorites: I loved the showcasing of Blount-built, canal-related vessels from 1950 until 2026. I also loved the presentation by NYPA/Canal Corporation employees about the current work vessels keeping the 200-year-old waterway in use. I have fond memories of transiting the canal on two of the Blount cruise ships between 2016 and 2019; I’d be thrilled if these boats returned to the canal. I also worked on tugboat Urger in the 2014 season and knew all work vessels on the canal then, and much has changed in the 12 years since, many new and interesting boats and other innovative technology. This technology includes a new dog; read about the robot dog named Yubie or Sushi in the canal confined spaces here. Sushi, meet Maud, Quincy, and many other canal dogs.

Also, what do you think of the music video? I loved it.