Changes keep Canal Fest goers safe

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two changes at Canal Fest should help improve safety with the intense heat. People attending the festival should notice more paramedics there than in other years, with more crews on standby because of the heat.

Robert Orlowski of the North Tonawanda Fire Department said, “We see way more people. Heat stroke; heat exhaustion is a big one. They'll go out and they'll work in their yards, then they come to a concert like this, and we'll end up taking care of them.”

The other change was prompted by state law. The first day of Canal Fest, the carnival rides were closed, to comply with a new state law.

Canal Fest President Larry Denef said, “People who operate rides cannot work any more than a seven-day schedule, which means they had to pick a day where they weren't going to operate the rides.” The rides will be running Monday.

This is the 30th year for the festival that brings the Tonawandas together.

City of Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi said, “A family-friendly event every year it just surprises me, how great it can be.”