TRADITION RETURNS
Tugboat Roundup welcomes thousands of eventgoers
WATERFORD, N.Y. » Thousands of eventgoers attended the 2021 Tugboat Roundup over the weekend in Waterford, continuing a beloved local tradition that was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tugboats large and small traveled to the Waterford Harbor for the occasion, which marked the festival’s 20th year. Founded in 1999, the event has been canceled twice in its history. The first time was in 2011 as a result of because of water conditions related to Hurricane Irene.
Members of the tugboat community were glad to be gathering once again, as were local residents that typically come out to see the spectacle each September.
Mike Magnant of Massachusetts was happy to be back at the dock with his 14-foot mini tug Toot Toot. The pair have been coming to the Tugboat Roundup since 2011.
“It’s a fantastic event,” he said. “The people here are just so friendly and accommodating.”
Magnant particularly likes speaking with people as they check out the boat. “The children — I get them on the boat. Parents take pictures, grandparents take pictures,” he said. “It’s just so much fun.”
For Maureen Quinn and David Johnson, also from Massachusets, this year marked their first Tugboat Roundup. Earlier this year they purchased a 20-year-old mini tug that they named Mystic Queen.
The first-timers enjoyed interacting with attendees and fellow boaters. They even handed out individually wrapped tugboat cookies as treats.
Quinn and Johnson said they plan to return to the Tugboat Roundup in the future.
In addition to admiring tugboats of all shapes and sizes, festivalgoers had the opportunity to hear live music, shop with vendors and watch some informational Tug Talks presented by tugboat experts.
Along with creating a fun atmosphere for all at the festival, “There’s an educational component to this as well,” said committee member Chris Callaghan. “It’s an effort to let the public become more aware of the marine industry.”
He continued, “It’s good for the in
dustry, and it’s good for the public to become aware of the significance of the industry in New York state.”
Representing the Capital Region Chamber at the 2021 Tugboat Roundup was senior vice president of community advancement Pete Bardunias. “Our chamber has the largest number of marine members of any chamber in the state,” he shared. Bardunias was thrilled to reconnect with some of those members at the 2021 Tugboat Roundup. “We’ve had a lot of fun,” he said on Sunday. “It’s great to see people — a lot of people we haven’t seen in two years.”
The next Tugboat Roundup, normally held annually on the weekend after Labor Day, is scheduled for Sept. 9, 10 and 11, 2022.