Lock Tenders Tribute one of several events celebrating opening of Erie Canal

Benjamin Joe, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·2 min read

May 14—The Erie Canal is scheduled to open on Saturday and the City of Lockport will host a series of events within the Lockport Heritage District.

The day begins with the annual Lock Tenders Tribute from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Niagara History Center' will offer its Key to the Locks Award to Wayne Jagow during a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Erie Canal Discovery Center. Each year the public is asked to nominate members of the community, organizers said, after which a new selection committee is formed and a winner is decided.

"Wayne is just a quality individual and it's good he'll be recognized this year," Dave Kinyon, Lockport Heritage District chair, said. "He's a highly regarded (former) official."

Jagow served as the Niagara County clerk and is also a Lutheran minister. He also served as a former Niagara County Sheriff's deputy.

Another interesting twist to this year's celebration is that it coincides with the Town of Lockport's 200th anniversary. Members of the Town of Lockport Town Board will come in period clothing to celebrate their history, as well as that of the Erie Canal and the Locks.

"It's going to add to the festivities," Kinyon said.

After the award ceremony, the public is welcome to proceed to the Lockport Locks for the Lock Tenders Tribute Event where flowers are encouraged to be placed in front of each lock tender by participants.

Following that, the Lockport Town Board will serve as volunteer lock tenders from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and give onlookers a look at how the locks work.

Another interesting part of the annual Lock Tenders Tribute is the return of the Lockport Community Farmers Market to Canal Street. Farms and other food vendors will be on hand, as well as those with other products such as soap, candles and other hand-made goods.

Also on Saturday, members of the Ames Chapter 88 Royal Arch Masons will be celebrating their 200th anniversary at 1 Cottage Street. At 3 p.m. they will give a rededication ceremony at the lodge and everyone is invited.

Steven Allore, a member of the chapter, said that there is a connection between the lodge and the Erie Canal as engineers and land surveyors were members of the Masons who worked on the canal as it neared its completion.

"Technically it was formed in February, but no one wants to party in February," he said of the chapter.