Canal Days can be celebrated this weekend from land, water, and in a first for the annual festival, from the air.
Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce’s event continues to add new attractions for residents and visitors on Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8.
One maiden voyage is a tethered hot air balloon that will go up to 70 feet high. Rides will be offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday for $15 per person at Western Wayne Elementary School, 801 E. Delaware St.
The balloon’s appearance is sponsored by Cambridge City Main Street and Miller Wood Specialties, and it’s weather dependent. Tickets must be purchased online while they last at wwn.to/ccballoon.
Another new event is a dog show at 10 a.m. Saturday in the first block of North Foote Street. Organizers call it “not one like you’ve seen on TV.” Free registration takes place at 9:30 a.m., and all furry friends receive a prize.
Hoping to appeal to the canine crowd, Lincoln Golden Eagle Industries students will sell dog treats, people food and vintage-style school T-shirts from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.
If you go
- What: Canal Days
- When: Street vendors from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8; additional activities at other times
- Where: Downtown Cambridge City, along and near U.S. 40.
- Cost: Free admission
- Info: cambridgecityindiana.org
The festivities kick off Friday night when the Canal Days queen is crowned at halftime of Lincoln High School’s football game against Tri. Local students who collected the most nonperishable food will be named junior king and queen, too.
AJ Wetzel will perform music from 8-11 p.m. Friday with no cover charge for the public at American Legion, 25 W. Church.
Food is available early Saturday, such as breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Legion and from 8-10:30 a.m. at Cambridge City’s fire station, 127 W. Maple. Firefighters then transition to a hog roast at 11 a.m. that also offers hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. The Legion offers food again from noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
However, guests will find more than hearty fare. This year’s theme is “Candy Land at the Canal,” and sweet treats are among the culinary options from restaurants and street vendors.
Sweet sounds will come from the community choir at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church, 238 W. Main St. Additional public performances include the Sean Lamb Janet Miller Band from 9 p.m. Saturday-1 a.m. Sunday at the Legion ($5 cover) and Garris Stearns at noon Sunday with St. Elizabeth’s food booth on U.S. 40.
More than 130 vendors can be found throughout the weekend.
New Day Kiwanis will offer their annual car show Sunday at Creitz Park in the 100 block of North Foote. Vehicle registration is $15 from 8-11 a.m., and spectators enter free. Awards are given at 1 p.m. in time for participation in the 2 p.m. parade.
The traditional rubber duck race at 4 p.m. Sunday helps conclude Canal Days at Creitz Park’s swinging bridge. Tickets are $3 or two for $5 and can be purchased at the chamber’s welcome tent. Prizes are $400, $200 and $100.
In addition to the chamber, festival sponsors include Cambridge City Family Health Partners and Hill Electric Inc.
A version of this article appeared in the September 4 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.