Little Falls celebrating 25th anniversary of Canal Days Celebration

It's a week at least one area looks forward to every year. The City of Little Falls is celebrating Canal Fest.

Friday night residents lined up on Main Street for the Canal Fest Grande Parade.

Not only that, this year it's extra special for the city as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of Canal Fest.

Residents of Little Falls say it's a celebration of the re-birth of the Erie Canal.

And Friday night, they are ringing in 25 years of it with their annual parade. "It's a time to show off Little Falls," said 12-year-old Misty Yost. Yost says all the children look forward to one thing and one thing only.

"You try and get much candy as you can. But, if there is a little kid next to you, you give them a few pieces," explained Yost.

Misty says it's all about coming out early to get a good spot. Children lined the streets with plastic bags as they anticipated candy hitting the ground, trying to gather as many goodies as possible.

But, others, like one participant in the parade is trying to keep a friend's legacy alive. A friend they knew as Bummer.

 "It's a small town everyone knew Bummer or knew of him. He was a hunter, fisherman and a golfer. We put that in his shirt," said Luke Petkovsek.

This year his friends and family thought the parade would be a good way to promote the American Cancer Society in Bummer's name.

And a star of the event, John Ferraro has been in almost all the parades with his music students. But this time around he says he is honored to be the Grand Marshall.

He says this week's festivities aren't just about celebrating the canal.

"A lot of people who lived here years ago have their class reunions. Everybody is friendly. Everybody knows each other and has a good time," said Ferraro.

Festivities will continue throughout Sunday night.