The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has revealed the winners of its 20th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Out of 334 entries, judges selected first, second, and third place winners in four categories, along with 12 honorable mentions.

“These award-winning images serve as a visual reminder of what makes New York’s canals distinctly beautiful and worth preserving,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Erie Canalway Calendar, which will be available for free starting December 1 at libraries, visitor centers, and by request. The New York State Canal Corporation and the National Park Service fund the calendar.

Winning photos can be viewed at https://eriecanalway.org/resources/gallery/photo-contests

2025 Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners

1st Place, Schoen Place Twilight (Pittsford) by Mark Maccio, East Rochester, NY

2nd Place, Pittsford in Winter (Pittsford) by Tom Kredo, Rochester, NY

3rd Place, Lock Tenders Tribute in Bronze (Lockport) by Anne Schiferle, Amherst, NY

Classic Canal

1st Place, Where the Canal Meets the Sky (Canajoharie) by Adam Fine, Liverpool, NY

2nd Place, Autumn Color (Adams Basin) by Claire Talbot, Hilton, NY

3rd Place, Riverie Crossing (Rochester) by Sarah Woodams, Pittsford, NY

Along the Trail

1st Place, Morning Glory (Little Falls) by Corey Adams, Little Falls, NY

2nd Place, Morning Walk on the Canal (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester, NY

3rd Place, First Snowfall (Spencerport) by Joe Pompili, Spencerport, NY

On the Water

1st Place, Spirit of Buffalo (Buffalo) by Beverly Goldschmidt, Lewiston, NY

2nd Place, Tranquility in an Aqueduct (DeWitt) by Adam Fine, Liverpool, NY

3rd Place, Canalway Reflections (Little Falls) by Melissa Bicknell, Little Falls, NY

Honorable Mention Recipients (listed west to east)

Fishing Huts (Buffalo) by Robert Klick, Williamsville, NY

Frozen Crossing (Tonawanda) by Joseph Marshall, North Tonawanda

Winter Wonderland (Medina) by Peggy Barringer, Albion, NY

Reflections of Flame (Spencerport) by Joe Pompili, Spencerport, NY

Sunny Day (Spencerport) by Michael Diponzio, Rochester, NY

Autumn Colors Along the Canal (Fairport) by Keith Boas, Fairport, NY

Sunset After Rain (Fairport) by Brandon Sprung, Victor, NY

Village Lights (Fairport) by Kevin Tubiolo, Rochester, NY

Port of Pittsford (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester, NY

Geese Head South (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester, NY

Lock 32 Walk (Pittsford) by Alan Schwartz, Rochester, NY

Autumn Canal Trail Walk (Pittsford) by Danan Zheng, Pittsford, NY

NYS Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton added, “These photographs, submitted by an ever-talented cadre of canal enthusiasts, embody some of the most beautiful aspects of our canals and support our mission as we look ahead to our third century of operation.”

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