I’ve always thought it would be fun to celebrate the 4th of July in a small town. This might be the year that we do just that, heading northeast of Indianapolis to Delphi, Indiana for the Canal Days celebration.
The festivities will begin Saturday morning will begin with the traditional Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 6:30 — 10am at Honan Hall. An Independence Day parade, sponsored by the Delphi Lions Club, will begin at 10am, ending at the Wabash and Erie Canal Center.
A highlight of this year’s Canal Days will be continuously running cruises on The Delphi, a new replica canal boat just launched last month. Built as a historic canal boat freighter, The Delphi is 54 feet long and 10 feet wide. Constructed of wood above the aluminum hull, it holds approximately 42 passengers and crew with comfortable seating designed for optimal viewing of the Canal.
At Canal Park, there will be plenty of other activities for patriots of all ages. Narrated walking tours will take visitors to two new venues – a walk at 2pm to Canal Park Annex to learn about the new warehouse patterned after a local 1800s warehouse, and a trek at 4 pm to the Mule Barn, a replica of a relay station where fresh horses were obtained to pull the canal boats and then on to the Guard Lock southwest on the Towpath Trail. Both the Annex and the Mule Barn will be open for viewing all day as well.
The 1844 Reed Case House will be open for tours both days. Quality hand-made gifts will be available for purchase at the Bowen Cabin Crafts Gift Shop. Kids can make their own bird houses with Rob at Jim’s Carpenter Shop. The Schoolmaster will be at the school house both days, and children can play games outside during “recess.”
Those wishing to take advantage of the park’s beautiful scenery won’t be disappointed. Miles of towpath trails are always available for walking, hiking or biking.
The Canal Association’s Snack Shack will offer various sandwiches and food items as well as the traditional home-made fruit pies and ice cream. New this year will be buffalo burgers at the Snack Shack. Another booth will be serving chili. And what’s more American than a hot apple dumpling with ice cream? Get yours (while supplies last) at the Canal Center. Some dumplings may be available frozen to purchase and bake at home as well.
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