Events - The Annual Build
THE 2026 THEME IS THE GREAT AMERICAN ROADTRIP
In 2026, as a celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday, pack your bags, rev your engines, and get ready to hit the open road as we journey through iconic destinations, roadside attractions, and the unforgettable spirit of America.
This year’s theme celebrates the freedom, curiosity, and wide-open possibility that make a road trip such a classic AmeriCAN experience. From small-town charm to big-city lights, we’re traveling coast to coast—no map required! Along the way, we’ll “stop” at some of the country’s most iconic landmarks—from towering monuments and legendary battlefields to charming old towns that still feel frozen in time. We’ll cross sunbaked deserts, misty mountain passes, rolling plains, and breezy coastlines, all while marveling at iconic bridges that span rivers, canyons, and city skylines, connecting the places and people that make this country so unique. And let’s not forget the weather—you never know if a sunny sky or a surprise shower will greet you on your journey. And of course, we’ll celebrate the heart of AmeriCAN culture you’ll experience along the way—from classic diner vibes and neon-lit motels to regional cuisines, dynamic festivals, roadside oddities, bold creativity, and the music that fills every mile between.
So, buckle up and enjoy the ride, full of discovery, history, adventure, scenery, and unforgettable detours; the Great AmeriCAN Roadtrip adventure starts now!
Look for the Capital Region Canstruction exhibit to return to Crossgates Mall April 28-May 11!
Sponsored by Price Chopper Supermarkets, all proceeds benefit The Food Pantries for the Capital District
Across every mile and every idea, teams and their travel buddies are charting the course toward canstructures that are pure Americana ingenuity.
2026 SPONSORSHIPS
The 2026 Capital Region CANstruction season is upon us! After a successful event in 2025 in which we collected over 71,000 pounds of food and $50,000, we are excited to show off the incredible talents and creativity of 14 professional build teams this springs. Our 15th annual exhibit will run from April 28 - May 11, 2026, and will showcase edible art exhibits made entirely from canned food. Thank you to our amazing partner Market 32/Price Chopper Supermarkets for their support!
Our 2026 professional build teams are kW Mission Critical Engineering, Labella, Stantec, AOW Construction/Envision Architects, MJ Engineering & Land Surveying, Ryan Biggs Clark Davis Engineering, CSArch, Mosaic Associates Architects, Exyte, New Leaf Energy, Colliers Engineering and Design, BCA Architects & Engineers, Hyman Hayes Associates, and The Saratoga Associates/McLaren Engineering. Each year we also partner with the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York to design and build a structure that will be on display.
There is a need now more than ever to help fill the shelves of the nearly 70+ community food pantries that The Food Pantries for the Capital District services. The impacts of the pandemic are still visible, and we want to do our part to ensure those living in our community always have what they need to thrive. Since 1979, The Food Pantries has been feeding the hungry. Member pantries provide enough groceries for a minimum of 3 meals per day for at least 3 days per week for each person in the household.
This year’s theme is “The Great AmeriCAN Road Trip.” In celebration of our Nation’s 250th Birthday and our 15th annual event, pack your bags, rev your engines, and get ready to hit the open road with us at Crossgates! Crossgates Mall provides a unique opportunity to expand our outreach to the larger Capital Region community.This venue aligns with our mission of further spreading awareness of food insecurity. With 180 stores, the mall is patronized by over 11 million visitors annually.
Returning for 2026: we need dozens of stanchions to keep our exhibit secure and rental costs add up quickly which impact our donation total. We have created a sponsorship that will allow us to purchase the stanchions to offset future rental costs. Stanchions will be used during the competition and a thank you and your logo will be affixed to it.
Since 2011, Capital Region CANstruction has supported efforts of The Food Pantries for the Capital District with our donations. Our donations bring our all-year total of 1,037,869 pounds of food and $475,000. We hope you’ll consider a sponsorship to help us continue to impact food insecurity in our community as we strive to fight hunger in our community.
