I've got a mule her name is Sal....

Come on... sing along! We all know some part of that song!


Although the mileage is wrong, and they pull the packet boat (not barge) by horse! Mom and I took the kids to the Erie Canal Village in Rome, NY. We had a fun time.


Barges did not run on this canal... this is a packet boat.




The horses that pulled our boat.



I was a bit disappointed in the village itself. Some of the buildings aren't open, and they have closed the top floor of the Harden Museum.




Sky and Liam in the Harden Museum




Closed




Kitchen furnished with period pieces



The train was a lot of fun, although because it runs on coal, VERY SMELLY.




A peek at the train




Notice the thick black smoke? YUCK!




Mom (Grandma Mary), Sky, and Liam on the train.



The packet boat was well worth the visit. The tour guide played an auto harp and sang songs. She gave a great history of the canal as we cruised up and down. It was a very enjoyable ride.




Playing canal songs.




Hauling us in to dock.



You can visit the Erie Canal Village website here:

http://www.eriecanalvillage.net/

The Victorian Faire at the Erie Canal Village

When we visited the Erie Canal Village in Rome, the Victorian Faire was being held there. It is similar to the Renaissance Fair only from the Victorian era. This is a new Faire, so it was small. There were a few booths with wares to sell, although not many at this time.


The gypsy wares


There were people in costume wandering around, they were in character and it was fun to talk to them. There were fairies and gypsies. They also had a special tea with the queen.


In character

They had a few skits going on in the pavillion. Skyler and Liam enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter's tea party. We enjoyed listening to the music acts that they had going on.

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party

We got to see a magician called Magical John. He put on a good show and Skyler went up on stage and volunteered for one of his magic tricks.

Posing with Magical John

John also walked around the Faire performing tricks and juggling. He has a website that you can see here:

http://magicaljohn.com

Magical John

I hope the Faire does well and can expand. It was fun but needed to have more available.

Please read my other blogs for information about our visit to the Erie Canal Village.