Dozens of vendors started pitching their tents as early as Friday as the festival celebrates 30 years.

Organizers say the event, along the streets of the Erie Barge Canal, takes almost a year to plan. And starting at noon on Sunday, thousands of people will fill the streets of Niagara, Sweeney and Webster.

This year, festival-goers have a few new things to look forward to: a dog show with the Erie County Sheriffs, a helicopter landing and a few surprises with the fireworks show.

"I don't know exactly what it is, but they said they're going to do something,” said Ray Wesolowski, the vice president of Canal Fest. “Last year, they had a beautiful show where they shot off fireworks, landed in the water, and it came out of the water and lit up the whole basin over here with fireworks just sparkling out of the water."

Miss Canal Fest was also crowned during the pageant Saturday, and will make her grand appearance during opening ceremonies.