CANTON — The 62nd annual Canton Canoe Weekend began Friday evening with the 4.5-mile Rushton Tour from Pyrites to Taylor Park.

The three-day event runs through Sunday and is one of the premier canoe race weekends in New York State, drawing competitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The 12- and 14-mile courses are among the most challenging on the marathon circuit. In addition, there are 1-, 4- and 8-mile race events appropriate for the local recreational racer, and a 2-mile team relay race for recreational paddlers,” the website states. For more information, visit https://www.cantoncanoeweekend.org/

All races take place on the Grasse and Little Rivers with the start and finish at Taylor Park. A chicken barbecue is planned Saturday afternoon.

Here is the schedule for the rest of this weekend:

Saturday - May 4

• 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Modern Rushton Races: Bring your canoe or kayak and join the morning recreational races of 1-, 4- or 8-miles. A ‘Rushton Division’ in the 1- and 4-mile races for those paddling Rushton type canoes, either homebuilt or produced by various commercial manufacturers, is sponsored by Slipstream Watercraft. Special awards will be presented for the ‘Rushton Division’. The 'Wounded Warriors Division' in the 1- and 4-mile races is sponsored by Mountain Wounded Warriors Sled Hockey Team.
• 11:30 a.m.: Recreational Races Awards Ceremony
• 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: C-1 Pro International World Championship & C-1/K-1 Amateur Races: 14- and 12-miles on the Grasse and Little Rivers.
• 12:30 to 4 p.m.: or until sold out: GT's chicken barbecue - The chicken dinner includes 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, pasta salad, homemade roll, brownie or cookie and a drink all for $14. A half chicken will be available as well for $9. Pre-orders by Sunday, April 28 are appreciated to help GT's plan, pre-order cutoff will be Thursday, May 2 at noon. Please have cash ready at pick-up time on Saturday (exact change preferred), or you may pay by Venmo. Sorry, no credit cards accepted at Taylor Park.
• 3 p.m.: C-1/K-1 Races Awards Ceremony
• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Joe Randi/Rushton Relay (Family & Friends, High School, College Challenge & Open Divisions): come out to the park and have fun on the water with family and friends for this 2-mile relay race.
• 4:30 p.m.: Canton Canoe Weekend Raffle Drawing - you need not be present to win!

Sunday - May 5

• 10 a.m. to noon: C-2 Pro, C-2/K-2 Amateur, K-1 Special: 14- and 12-mile races on the Grasse and Little Rivers.
• 12:45 p.m.: C-2/K-2 Races Awards Ceremony