The Tugboat Roundup is a gathering of tugboats, workboats and barges to celebrate the maritime heritage of the Northeast Inland Waterways. The festival features a tug parade, tug tours, boat rides, tug talks, competitions, fireworks, children's activities, vendors, food, and more. The Tugboat Roundup takes place annually the weekend after Labor Day.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 8th

4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Vendors
4:00 PM Live music with George Ward
5:30 PM (Approximately) Tug parade arrives in Waterford
5:30 to 8:30 Live music with Flood Road

Saturday, September 9th

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tours of docked tugs. Open times vary by tug.
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Tug Talk: The Champlain Canal at 200! (Russ Vandervoort)
10:00 AM Paddle the Flight
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Boat rides (at Lock 2)
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Farmers Market, Bounce House at Lock 2
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Kid’s Line Toss (East of Peebles Island Bridge)
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Waterford Fire Department Obstacle Course at Lock 2
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Face Painting at Lock 2
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Live music with Brian Kane
2:00 PM Tug Talk: The Rise and Fall of Russell Brothers Towing including Captains' memories of adventures and daily life on the tugs. (Hilary Russell)
3:00 PM Mariner’s Line Toss Competition, Round 1
5:00 PM Tug Talk: Matton Shipyard: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse Initiative (Andy Kitzman)
6:00 PM Live music with Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers
8:45 PM Fireworks!

Sunday, September 10th

8:30 AM Kids’ Race (no entry fee). South side of 4th Street Bridge
9:00 AM Tug Chug 5K
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tours of docked tugs. Open times vary by tug.
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Boat Rides
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Farmers Market and Bouncy Slide at Lock 2
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Live music with Shannon Tehya and the Troupe
11:00 AM Tug Talk: Rewatering Albany (Len Tantillo)
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Face Painting at Lock 2
1:00 PM Just Dance Cloggers at Lock 2
1:00 PM Junior Division Line Toss Competition, ages 13-18
1:30 PM Mariners Line Toss Competition, Round Two (Visitor Center, outside)
2:00 PM Closing ceremonies

Date: September 8-10, 2023

Location: 1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford, NY 12188

Click Here For More Information