This Sunday, 'Canal Day 2012' Comes to the Schuylkill

The Schuylkill Canal Association is pulling out all the stops for its 30th annual Canal Day celebration.

This Sunday at Lock 60 (St. Michael’s Park) in Mont Clare–right across the river from Phoenixville–the association is inviting residents to come out and enjoy rides, watch the outdoors competitions, and listen to live music, all in recognition of the enormous role the Schuylkill Canal has played, and will continue to play, in the area’s growth.

This year, according to Phoenixville Dish, Canal Day will feature new attractions like a doubles horseshoe tournament, the return of the Highland Games (see the full list of events here), and a performer who rides a unicycle while juggling flaming batons, as well as old stalwarts like the trail run.

The day will also feature, as always, the jousting competition.

“The infamous canal joust will take place at the very end,” association staff member Betsy Daley told Patch. “It’s fun to see, and if you’re courageous enough to participate, you’re welcome to.”

And as always, Canal Day 2012 will have a strong musical component. This year's lineup is manned by local acts Holt45 and ECHO, and returning performers Christine & Company and Monte Napoleon. (See the full music lineup here). Performances start at 11 a.m.

The organization will also be recognizing a falling member.

“This year’s Canal Day is in memory of Denny Porrini,” said Daley. “He was a really big contributor to the association, both financially and as a human resource,” she said, adding that he was a longtime judge of the day’s events.

Canal Day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is a $5 donation to the Schuylkill Canal Association, and children under 12 get in free.