Event Overview
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: West Dominick Street, Rome, NY
About the Event
Join us as Rome welcomes over 500 cyclists and volunteers traveling through our community as part of the Cycle the Erie Canal Tour hosted by Parks and Trails New York. This annual eight-day bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany passes through Rome, with many riders camping at Fort Stanwix or staying in local hotels.
The Cycle the Erie Welcoming Block Party celebrates this incredible community event with live music, local food and beverage vendors, art vendors, and community groups lining West Dominick Street. As a proud Empire State Trail Town, Rome is excited to showcase our downtown and create a memorable experience for visiting cyclists and locals alike!
Featured Activities
Live Music
Enjoy performances from three talented acts on the City Green:
Yoga on the Green
Join us for Yoga on the Green at 1:00 PM, presented by Fully Lotus Yoga + Wellness. Registration is required to reserve a yoga mat.
Family Fun
The Utica Children’s Museum Mobile Museum will bring hands-on, family-friendly activities for kids of all ages, and Drew’s Magic and Balloon Animals will be on hand with free balloon animals and toys.
Community Activities
Connected Community School will have lawn games available, and Franca’s Roma / Franca’s Wine Room will feature live music by 10 Gallon Matt.
Hello, Dolly! at the Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre’s popular SUMMERSTAGE musical theater program will present its production for 2026: the classic, Tony-award winning musical, HELLO, DOLLY! The legendary musical comedy follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers to find a match for the miserly well-known unmarried “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. The show will be presented live on the Capitol stage with a cast of talent from across Central New York. This production is generously brought to you by Community Bank, NA.
Tickets are available online, at 315-337-6277, or at the door. The Capitol Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Reserve Seat Tickets: Adults - $25.00; Seniors (62+)/Students/Military - $23.00; Capitol "Friends" - $20.00; Children 12 and Under - $17.00.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Fort Stanwix National Monument will be welcoming visitors on July 16. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and the Fort is open for self-guided visits from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Guided tours depart from the Visitor Center at 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
RWTAG Tent
Stop by the RWTAG tent for free bike- and trail-related giveaways while you explore the celebration.
Free Bike Valet
Concerned about finding parking? Ride your bike! RWTAG has you covered with a free bike valet for those who want to pedal to the event in the spirit of the cycling tour.
Vendors & Community Groups
The street will feature food and beverage vendors, local artisans, and community organizations creating a vibrant atmosphere for residents and cyclists alike. Vendors and community groups can sign up now using our vendor sign-up form.
Business Participation
Local businesses are invited to stay open late, set up vendor tables on the street, and showcase their services. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors and create lasting connections with the cycling community!
Road Closures & Parking
Street Closures
- West Dominick Street: Closed from James Street to George Street from 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- James Street: Closed from Erie Boulevard to Liberty Street from 11:00 AM (July 16) to 7:00 AM (July 17)
Bike Valet
Concerned about finding parking? Ride your bike! RWTAG has you covered with a free bike valet.
Parking
Ample parking remains available around West Dominick Street, including the parking lot on the corner of Liberty and James Street, which will be open for public use. On-street parking is also available nearby, and the maps below highlight those options.
Road closure legislation was presented to the Common Council for approval on May 13, 2026.
Sponsors
Presenting SponsorYellow Jersey SponsorMaillot Jaune
Green Jersey SponsorSprinter
Polka Dot Jersey SponsorKing of the Mountains
White Jersey SponsorRising Star
About Our Presenting Sponsor: Worthington Steel
Worthington Steel is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Cycle the Erie Canal Welcome Block Party Celebration. As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its 4,600 employees harness the power of steel to advance our customers’ visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington operates 32 facilities in seven states and six countries. Following a people-first philosophy, commitment to sustainability and proven business system, Worthington Steel’s purpose is to generate positive returns by providing trusted and innovative solutions for customers, creating opportunities for employees, and strengthening its communities.
The Erie Canal played a pivotal role in the development of cities and towns throughout New York in the 1800s, catalyzing a significant industrial boom. Its establishment as a major transportation route enabled the efficient movement of goods and raw materials, fostering the growth of industries that heavily relied on resources like cold rolled strip steel. The founding of Rome Strip Steel in 1926 and its subsequent acquisition by Worthington in 2014 is a testament to the enduring industrial heritage initiated by the Erie Canal.
Worthington’s continued success in producing high-quality cold rolled steel products for diverse industries underscores the long-lasting impact of the canal on regional economic development.
On behalf of all our employees, we wish all the CTEC cyclists a safe and enjoyable adventure and look forward to your next visit!
Get in Touch
Are you a West Dominick Street business owner or community organization? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have products to sell, services to promote, or a special event happening that evening, let us know and we'll include it in our Community Guide distributed to residents and cyclists. Do you have questions or ideas to make this event even better? Reach out!
Danielle Salisbury
Phone: 315-838-1726
Email: [email protected]
Photos courtesy of Oneida County Tourism.