Published: July 23, 2009 01:05 am      

HOPKINS: Canal Fest sights, sounds, smells

A visit to Canal Fest Wednesday evening found the festival grounds teeming with humanity. Inside those crowds were sights, sounds and smells that stirred nearly every emotion. In literally every direction were things that could make you smile, laugh, shake your head, cringe, leer, become nostalgic or wonder.

It’s probably typical of any festival, but at smaller events, one might need an entire day to come across what I observed in just two hours.

Why? I’m not sure. It might be the uniqueness of Canal Fest or it could be the cross-section of people that it attracts. Whatever the reason, I’ve come up with a quick list of the good, the bad and the ugly from a small slice of Canal Fest 2009.

Some observations don’t belong in one of the three lists. For example, there are some people who mustn’t do anything else but walk the grounds in circles, because I saw some people walking in the same direction two or three times, spaced out in about 30-40 minute intervals.

The Good

Judging by the amount of couples and families, many of which included someone pushing a stroller, this is one of the most people-friendly events you’ll find. Couples ranged from teenage boyfriend-and-girlfriends to golden anniversary-types.

Classic cars for the annual car cruise. Plenty of GTOs, Cadillacs, Fords from the 1930s and 40s, and MGs — including a 1972 MG Midget. Cool. A friend from Cheektowaga, Bob Decker, entered a Pontiac Trans Am Bandit, like from the film “Smokey and the Bandit.” Nice.

Kids toting stuffed animals.

A woman who fashioned her lanyard to carry a bottle of water. Or is it an actual product? If it isn’t, it should be because it’s a great way to handle your refreshment while keeping your hands free.

Ribbon-Cut fries. They’re not quite French fries, and they’re not quite potato chips, but they are incredible. Pure Heaven.

Tank tops. And scantily-clad women passing out fliers.

The music of local polka band Phocus. Don, who was managing our booth, called it “happy music.” Fitting for a happy occasion.

Sausages, hot dogs, burgers, bloomin’ onions, French fries and more combining to create a delicious smell like no other. I’m not sure what to call it. Perhaps the odor of arteries hardening?

A busy canal shared by boaters, people on jet skis and people riding water bikes. Plus, many people strolling along the banks of the canal.

A man wearing a T-Shirt bearing the statement “Property of my kids.”

Looking north up Webster Street from the top of the Renaissance Bridge and seeing nothing but a sea of people. Looking south, the rides in full swing.

The Bad

Remember those stuffed animals I mentioned earlier? It seems that green is a popular color this year. There’s something that’s just not right about a green dog.

I watched a very nice black Chrysler get towed away on a flatbed from its parking spot on Webster Street. Apparently, it was parked there beyond 4 p.m., forbidden because of the car cruise. I was later told by a reliable source that someone tried to tow the vehicle, but the tower didn’t realize the vehicle was rear-wheel drive. The car bounced up and down as it was pulled away. Oops!

A polka version of Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right.” Some pop and rock songs work in polka format. This was only OK.

People carrying their lap dogs (and some larger dogs that think they’re lap dogs but aren’t.) Dogs aren’t allowed on the festival grounds. Neither are bicycles, but I saw people with them, too.

The Ugly

People who shouldn’t have been wearing tank tops. Or belly shirts. It’s worth mentioning again because sometimes you can’t help but look, similar to a huge pimple on a teenager’s face.

A worker at one of the food vending stands took a bucket containing a milky-white liquid and dumped its contents into a Sweeney Street storm water receiver. Come on, man! Find a more sanitary way to dispose your nasty water or grease.

I don’t want to end the column on a negative note, so here’s one final neutral observation. We have a wheel at the Tonawanda News booth that visitors may spin for a $1 donation to local food banks. A boy paid his dollar and landed on a winning space. He didn’t choose a gift certificate for his prize, but rather a couple of Dum-Dums.

Instant gratification, or sacrifice? You decide.

John Hopkins is the night city editor of the Tonawanda News. His column appears Thursdays. Contact him at john.hopkins@tonawanda-news.com.