Montour marina expands with new camp sites

    MONTOUR FALLS—The camping and boating season is underway at the Montour Falls Village Marina and Campground, which has opened this season with a completed expansion.
    Harold Brown, marina manager, said there are now 42 brand new sites, with 50 amp electrical access, and 73 of the older sites with 30 amp access. He said all are filled. The marina also has 200 boat slips. Brown said 142 of those are filled. However, he added there would more slips occupied, but some need repairs. This also includes 25 tent sites and 18 temporary sites.
    Brown said Memorial Day weekend the marina was full, with over 500 people there. He added that Montour Falls is a close spot to many places in the Southern Tier, which is why it’s so busy. The marina offers sites for stays as short as one day or a weekend to the whole season. Brown said the marina attracts people from as far away as Canada and Virginia.
    He explained the wineries and the Watkins Glen gorge help attract people to the campgrounds, adding the marina tries to help increase traffic at local attractions in return. The marina also holds their own events throughout the summer.
    “We try to make it safe, family oriented,” said Brown.
    Which is why the marina hosts events, many of which are targeted for children at the marina. Brown said one of the big ones is a Kids’ Day on July 4. He explained all children at the marina, age 12 and under, ride their bikes around the campgrounds in a parade. The sheriff’s office also sends someone down to the marina and talks to the kids about bicycle safety.
    The marina also does a Chili Cook-Off in September, a NASCAR themed event in August, a children’s Fishing Derby, and a Veterans’ Day celebration. The most recent was the first Boating for a Cure Relay for Life event this past Saturday. Norman and Joyce Knight organized this first year event.
    Norman Knight said 20 boats started at the marina, followed the canal out on to the lake, and went up the east side of the lake. At Orchard Point, Knight said the boats went across to the other side of Seneca at Glenora Point, before returning south to Watkins Glen and ultimately Montour Falls.