Latest canal project This nearly completed project, a canal guard lock, is located at the southwest end of Canal Park. Narrated walks during Canal Days will tell about this lock, which is similar to one that was located north of Delphi and protected the canal from a flooding Wabash River. Building this lock took many volunteer hours. Two-to-three-ton cut stones had been removed from the old county jail in the 1970s and were donated by contractor Jack Cohee. The structure has a thick wooden gate and when completed, will have an adjacent change bridge, which would have allowed towing animals to cross from one side of the canal to the other. Top photo by Jennifer Archibald. Photo at right provided A patriotic theme will permeate Canal Park during Canal Days, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and July 5, from noon until 5 p.m.

A special feature (Saturday only) will be a stirring patriotic multi-media presentation "Let Freedom Ring," presented by Brian Migliore of Fort Wayne. This distinctive program combines images matched to words and music. Gather at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. at the Canal Center to hear the program. There will be no admission charge, but donations are welcome.

The new replica canal boat The Delphi will be running cruises continuously beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the Canal Center front desk. Dan McCain, canal association president, said the boat is running smoothly now after a few early problems have been worked out.

Narrated walking tours will take visitors to two new venues - a walk at 2 p.m. to Canal Park Annex to learn about the new warehouse patterned after a local 1800s warehouse, and a trek at 4 p.m. to the Mule Barn, a replica of a relay station where fresh horses were obtained to pull the canal boats. The 4 p.m. walk will go on down the towpath to the new canal guard lock, patterned after an original nearby lock that protected the canal from a flooding Wabash River. The Mule Barn and its tack room, as well as the guard lock, will be open for viewing all day.

Both walks will be offered Saturday and Sunday.

For those who prefer biking, mountain bikes and cruising bikes will be available for renting.

All of the buildings in Canal Park will be open, and the 10 miles of towpath trails are always available for walking, hiking, or biking.

There is no admission charged to tour the Interpretive Center featuring exhibits that tell the history of the canal.

The 1844 Reed Case House will be open for tours both days, and hand-made gifts will be available at the Bowen Cabin Crafts Gift Shop.

Kids can make their own bird houses with Rob Lawson at Jim's Carpenter Shop.

The schoolmaster will be at the schoolhouse both days, and children can play oldfashioned games outside during "recess."

The on-shore playground boat will welcome children to explore its many parts. Another attraction, on Sunday only, will be horse-drawn carriage rides from noon to 5 p.m.

The Canal Association's Snack Shack will offer various sandwiches and food items as well as the traditional home-made fruit pies and ice cream. New this year will be buffalo burgers at the Snack Shack. Another booth will be serving chili. Hot apple dumplings with ice cream will be for sale (while supplies last) at the Canal Center.

At the Canal Center and throughout the park craftsmen and artisans of pioneer crafts will demonstrate their skills and some will have items for sale. Arts and crafts will include watercolors, leather crafting, gourds, carved bowls, broom making, crocheting, puzzles and toys, wooden toys, scroll sawing, hand-painted notes, china painting, potpourri, and more.