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The third annual Lake Ontario Central New York Lighthouse Challenge will take place this year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 5, 6 and 7, 2016.
The challenge is to visit eight unique New York lighthouses within three days. The official Challenge route runs east from Rock Island Light to the West to a new site, 30 Mile Point outside of Rochester, N.Y.
Participants will collect a lighthouse stamp or token at each lighthouse they visit. Special arrangements have been made to include bonus sites not usually open to the public. The lighthouses are located along the southern end of Lake Ontario and following along the Seaway Trail, a National Scenic Byway.
Those who register to take on the challenge will receive the following: an official Lighthouse Challenge booklet with information about each site and directions to and recommendations for other attractions along the way; local tourist information, and a final award. In addition, the H. Lee White Maritime Museum is offering a special admission price as part of the challenge packet.
Pre-registration packets are available till July 22nd and also during the event weekend from 9 am to 5 pm at the Maritime Museum at Oswego located on the West First Street Pier in Oswego; the challenge packets are $25 each. The Charlotte- Genesee Lighthouse and Sodus Bay Lighthouse will also have packets for sell.
Sites to the East of Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse will highlight Rock Island Lighthouse of Clayton, Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent, Cape Vincent Breakwater Lighthouse of Cape Vincent and Selkirk Light at Salmon River Lighthouse & Marina in Pulaski. Travelling west of Oswego, visitors can view 30 Mile Point, Braddock Point Light in Hilton, Charlotte-Genesee Light in Rochester, Rochester Harbor West Pierhead Light, Sodus Bay Light and Sodus Outer ‘Light in Sodus, and the Fair Haven Range Lights in Fair Haven.
At each stop, participants will have an opportunity to learn about the essential role of lighthouses in protecting maritime vessels that plied the waters and made commerce and trade possible along this most eastern Great Lake.
“These events raise awareness for the preservation efforts going on and excite people to support their own area lighthouses. This Challenge also gives enthusiasts the opportunity to see lighthouses that are not always accessible to the public,” noted Jo Panayotoff, Oswego Lighthouse Challenge Committee member and longtime lighthouse enthusiast.
In addition, although an extensive restoration is underway at the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse, this community icon will be open for public tours by boat for the first time ever in its history.
A new bonus site will be listed in the packet. The Brewerton Rear Range Light located on along the New York State Barge Canal on Oneida Lake will makes its debut on a limited basis during this three-day event.
In addition, for those that prefer not to drive to the various sites, Oswego Expeditions, is offering two customized excursions for a separate fee with an expert guide. Anyone interested in this service should contact the business directly at (315) 561.0223.
Anyone who wants to register for this Challenge is welcome to join in the fun and visit as many sites as they wish on the list in the three days allotted. We encourage all to explore at their own pace!
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum is located at the end of the West First Street Pier, in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District. For more information about the Lake Ontario CNY Lighthouse Challenge, the current restoration process or other museum activities, contact the Museum at (315) 342-0480, through the website at: www.hlwmm.org, or through social media at facebook.com/hlwmm and facebook.com/oswegolh.
