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Before the end of the summer, head over to Buffalo’s magnificent waterfront to take part in exciting activities and check out the latest developments. Erie Canal Harbor, America’s Gateway to the West, has been revived and restored and is now open to the public for the first time in generations. The 184-year-old Commercial Slip has been excavated and re-watered, a replica “bowstring” pedestrian bridge that spans the slip has been built, a re-creation of the wooden Central Wharf put in place and foundations of Erie Canal-era buildings unearthed. The $53 million heritage tourism site promises to become a must-see destination for American history buffs. In addition, various activities, events and concerts will take place at the new Erie Canal Harbor this summer, including children’s programs, historic tours, lectures and music on the Central Wharf. |
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And Buffalo always has plenty of fairs and festivals to take you through the fall. Kick off August with the Buffalo Infringement Festival that will take place July 24th through August 3rd. This arts festival brings together a broad range of independent, experimental and controversial art of all forms. With performing, musical, and media arts, the streets of Buffalo’s Allentown District will come alive with art in its multiple venues for 11 days. Visit infringebuffalo.org for performance times. America’s Fair: The Erie County Fair with top grandstand concerts, free entertainment acts, 265 acres of food, rides and family fun will make its way to Western New York August 6th-17th. Check out www.americas-fair.com/ for further info. The Scottish Festival and Highland Games will take place August 16th at the Amherst Museum. Enjoy a Scottish heritage day with traditional and contemporary Celtic music, Scottish food, bagpipers, clans, sheep herding and Highland athletics. Visit www.amherstmuseum.org for more information. And don’t miss the festival of food that made Buffalo famous! The National Buffalo Wing Festival will fly to Dunn Tire Park in Downtown Buffalo August 30th-31st. More than 100 different flavors of chicken wings from resturants throughout the country will be served. Live music, chicken wing contests and more will take place. www.buffalowing.com for more information. The Great Pumpkin Farm Festival in nearby Clarence will run September 28th-Halloween. This annual fall celebration has dozens of activities for all ages focusing on the season. From corn mazes and hayrides, children’s activities, a farm Midway to pumpkin contests, spend the day enjoying autumn outdoors at this festival. http://www.greatpumpkinfarm.com For information on these Erie County events and attractions and more, visit www.visitbuffaloniagara.com or call the Buffalo Niagara Visitor Center at 1-800-BUFFALO to request a free official visitor’s guide. BUBBLEFEST SPARKLES ON SATURDAY, JULY 26 AT THE BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE Family Event to feature nationally known BubbleMania! performer Casey Carle, author and Cirque du Soleil bubble consultant The Buffalo Museum of Science will hold its fourth annual Bubblefest on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Science Museum, 1020 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo. Bubblefest is the all-day indoor-outdoor family event celebrating the science and fun of bubbles of all types: man-made, in nature, even in outer space. All Bubblefest activities are included in a special day admission price: $8 adults, $7 senior citizens, $6 students and kids over age 3, which includes an all-access bubble bracelet. Science Museum members receive admission free but are charged $1 per person for the bubble bracelet. Casey Carle, bubble master performer, BubbleOlogy author and Cirque du Soleil consultant, will be featured with his amazing one-man show, BubbleMania: Science, Art and Comedy!, at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. in the museum auditorium. Intended for children ages 5 and up, BubbleMania! is polished entertainment that combines comedy, soap-bubble science, music and a fascinating exploration of bubbles of unusual shapes, sizes and abilities. Carle will also sign copies of his book BubbleOlogy: A Hands-On Science Kit, which will be available for purchase in the Museum’s Shop, during two scheduled book signings during Bubblefest. EVEN MORE BUBBLE FUN! The Buffalo Museum of Science has added to its exciting Bubblefest agenda. The day will include outdoor music, food vending, and the following activities and entertainment: The Bubble Man from Allen Street: He’s well-known around Buffalo for the bubbles that pour out of his third story window at Elmwood and Allen Street. Bubble Tents: Experiment with Body Bubbles, Giant Bubble Tubes, Bubble Shapes and Bubble Technology. You can even take a Bubble Foam Shower! Be sure to vote for your favorite bubble maker in the BEST BUBBLE CONTRAPTION contest. Our Bubbling Sun Solar Observing (weather permitting): View the summer sky with the Buffalo Astronomical Association Bubble Art Room: Create fun art using bubbles and your imagination Nature’s Bubbles: Make connections between bubbles in nature, in our bodies and in our world. Tiny Bubbles: Bubble fun for our youngest explorers (for ages infant – 7) Susan Rozler: Mama Earth’s Kitchen Entertainment Dave Ruch: musician and family entertainer ABOUT CASEY CARLE AND BubbleMania: Science, Art and Comedy! Casey Carle, who is a cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo, began his effervescent bubbly career as a clown in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. There, he became the first circus entertainer in the country to encase a person in a bubble. Since then, he has parlayed his comedic timing, showmanship, science know-how and bubble-making expertise into a show that has garnered broad critical praise. The Boston Globe said, “Carle creates ephemeral masterpieces out of thin soap. Behind the act is a wealth of training and a passion for this slippery art form," while the Norwich Bulletin called Carle’s BubbleMania “screamingly funny.” To learn more about BubbleMania! and Carle, visit his Web site at www.bubblemania.com. The Buffalo Museum of Science is the non-profit educational institution dedicated to the study and interpretation of the natural and physical sciences. Its extensive collections of over 600,000 specimens and artifacts represent all facets of the natural world with an emphasis on Western New York as well as man-made objects spanning the globe. Based at 1020 Humboldt Parkway and anchoring Buffalo’s East Side in Olmsted-designed Martin Luther King, Jr. Park since 1929, the Museum presents a wide variety of programs and services for children, teachers, families, adults, and community organizations throughout each year. General admission to the Museum is $7 adults; $6 seniors (age 62+); $5 students and children over 3; and free for members and children under 3. The Museum also operates Tifft Nature Preserve in South Buffalo, a 264-acre urban wetland preserve on reclaimed former industrial land; The Elmwood Science Spot, a satellite studio of the Buffalo Museum of Science located in the heart of the Elmwood Village; and seasonally sponsors archaeological exploration at the Hiscock Site in nearby Genesee County, NY, one of North America’s richest Ice Age sites. For further information on the Museum and its upcoming activities, call 716-896-5200 or visit www.buffalomuseumofscience.org. Explore & More children’s museum is on the Buffalo Waterfront this summer with hands-on programs for kids Check out Explore & More as the museum presents hands-on programming fun for the whole family on Buffalo's Waterfront! Most Fridays from 1 - 4 p.m., during July and August (except August 15), Explore & More will be presenting cool activities for kids on the central wharf at Erie Canal Harbor. This is the perfect opportunity to take a look at the new waterfront - enjoying the sites of the amazing restoration of the original Erie Canal Harbor, the beauty of Lake Erie views during the summer, and some cool fun from Explore & More. Programs include: Friday, July 11: Making a Mess Makes Sense! Come enjoy a hands-on, multi-sensory experience. You can play with and explore all sorts of fun feeling materials, Using your senses, you’ll create a unique piece of art to take home! Friday, July 18: Water & Color! – Fish come out of the water as kids make colorful fish windsocks like the carp kites of Japan. Younger kids can paint and cut beautiful bright snowflakes to bring some winter sparkle to the day. Friday, July 25: Felting Never Felt so Good! –Felt with Explore & More on the Waterfront using colorful wool fleece and soapy water to make bright balls or snakes. Friday, August 1: A Day for Clay – What can be more fun than to create your own clay sculpture! We’ll teach you techniques, as you let your creativity run wild! For the very young, there’ll be play dough for fun too! Friday, August 8: Building on the Waterfront – What makes a perfect waterfront community? Kids will share their ideas by constructing buildings and so much more. Throughout the afternoon, they’ll be drawing inspiration from each other and their surroundings. Friday, August 22: Gone Fishin’ – The ancient art of printing comes alive! Kids can make their own prints of fish with watercolor paints, special printing materials and their imaginations! Friday, August 29: Drumming Fun! Making music can be so much fun, especially with drums! You’ll hear some great drumming and even get to make your own music! You can park for free at Erie Basin Marina, or utilize paid parking in several lots surrounding the harbor. In addition, on-street parking is available in the adjacent neighborhood, including on both Pearl Streets and Marine Drive. All events are free to the public and are supported by the City of Buffalo, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and Buffalo Place. For more information about the museum, check out Explore & More’s website at www.exploreandmore.org. Looking for Summer Fun? Come to America’s Fair! America’s Fair, The Erie County Fair is one of Western New York’s largest summer events. Don’t miss the NEW entertainment such as Break Shop featuring members of Jabba Wokkies from MTV, Banana Derby, where you can see monkeys riding dogs and a Life Size Butter Sculpture of the Presidential Candidates! Celebrating its 169th year, the Fair also knows how to keep tradition alive celebrating the 10th consecutive year for Master Hypnotist Jerry Valley and 20th consecutive year for Jerry Ward, Chainsaw Artist! Who can forget about the Fair food? No one can resist the fried dough, blooming onions, loaded baked potatoes, Cajun chicken and much more! There are over 700 vendors where you can find food and satisfy all your shopping needs. On top of all this, there is a daily parade, contests nearly everyday, games galore and rides. With all the Buffalo.com Grandstand events including a two day tractor pull, concerts with performances by Taylor Swift with James Otto, Vanessa Hudgens with Rooney, Ted Nugent with Gregg Rolie, Merle Haggard and Phil Vassar, Heaven & Hell with Motorhead and Testament, America’s Fair is your Summer Fun Headquarters! Take NY Thruway exit 56 and for more information call 716-649-3900. GRAND LADY CRUISES LAUNCHES 2008 ECOLOGICAL TOURS Grand Lady Cruises of Grand Island, New York has introduced a new ECO Tour of the upper Niagara River for its current tenth anniversary 2008 season. “Grand Lady Cruises is pleased to be offering ecological tours of the upper Niagara River in the vicinity of Pirate Island and Strawberry Island,” said Richard Deegan, President. “These islands are a unique part of the eco system of the upper river, with large colonies of nesting birds such as egrets and cormorants,” he said. “There are three kinds of heron – Great Blue, Green, and Black-capped Night –, shore birds such as sandpipers, plovers, snipe and woodcock; and waterfowl including long-tailed ducks, wood ducks and mallards.” Deegan has researched and developed the two-hour live narration cruise, highlighting natural wonders and animals that live in the river area. Topics covered include geological history, human impact to the river, and native and invasive species. “We have installed state-of-the-art navigational equipment and an underwater camera to make these tours a truly visual experience,” Deegan explained. “The GPS chart-plotting navigational system is viewable from monitors located on both decks of the boat. A split screen format shows our position on the surface of the river as well as what lies below.” ECO Tours are scheduled on a group basis, departing and returning from the Holiday Inn, 100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, New York. Ticket price is $22, with group rates and children’s rates available. Children of middle-school age and older are welcome to join the tours. For information about available dates for ECO Tours and about Grand Lady’s full schedule of corporate and social dinner and lunch cruises and 2008 special events, visit www.grandlady.com or call toll-free (888) 824-5239. Make the Seneca Hawk Your TAX-FREE Summertime Stop! The price of gas, cigarettes and food got you down? Look no further then the Seneca Hawk to put a smile back on your face and keep some extra money in your wallet. The Seneca Hawk features discount cigarettes, gasoline and dining without taxes added. Every Sunday and Wednesday save even more - 50¢ off cartons of cigarettes and 5¢ off gas, diesel and kerosene. The other benefit is that they pump your gas 7 days a week. Forget cash? They have an ATM on premises. The restaurant has recently been remodeled and features all your Western NY favorites – pizza, wings, subs and they have added an ice cream counter with soft serve cones, shakes and sundaes. Every Wednesday and Friday enjoy the Seneca Hawk’s famous haddock fish fry with all the trimmings (fries, coleslaw, macaroni and potato salad). Breakfast is served from 8am until 1pm. The restaurant is a smoking establishment and take out is available by calling 716-934-4219 x116. The Seneca Hawk is located on the Seneca Nation of Indians Cattaraugus Reservation where Routes 5 and 20 meet in Irving, NY (¼ mile east off Exit 58 of the NYS Thruway and just minutes from Sunset Bay and Angola-on-the-Lake). For information call 716-934-4219 or 800-336-4220. Seneca Fall Festival 2008 The Seneca Nation invites native and non-native alike to join in their annual celebrations of Seneca heritage and culture. One of the original Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca Nation is a proud people with a rich history. Their lands are comprised of beautiful and fascinating territories throughout the Western New York region. The Seneca heritage is rich in color and expression. This is evident in their dance, music, works of art and handmade craft creations that the public is invited to experience. The 2008 Fall Festival will take place September 12th-14th at the Saylor Community Building and Grounds on Route 438 in Irving, NY. The public is welcome to attend and admission is free. This event features Native American crafts, foods, music and dance, as well as an Iroquois art show, demonstrations, rides for the kids, and sports tournaments. A parade will be held at noon on Saturday, followed by the 2nd Annual Bart Mohawk Memorial Bike Show from 1pm – 5pm. Those who would like to ride their bikes in the parade can meet at the Seneca Nation Laundromat on Route 438 at 11:30am Saturday morning. For more information on the Fall Festival go to www.senecapowwow.org. For more information on other things to do and see at the Seneca Nation, please call 1-866-SNI-EVENTS. CURTAIN UP! 2008 27th Anniversary Celebration Friday, September 19, 2008 The 27th Annual CURTAIN UP!, presented by the Theatre District Association of Western New York and M&T Bank, will be held Friday, September 19, 2008. CURTAIN UP! is the official opening of Buffalo’s live theatre season and offers something for everyone with theatrical productions at 14 participating theatres, associated events, a Creative Black-Tie Gala Dinner on stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, and a free community celebration featuring live entertainment on Main Street in Buffalo’s Theatre District. “Curtain Up! is the Buffalo Niagara community’s celebration of the opening of the theatre season. Thousands of people will gather to celebrate the vitality and diversity of theatre in our community. This celebration offers something for everyone from its Creative Black-Tie Dinner to the free street party with plenty of entertainment to suit any taste. The Theatre District Association and its members are pleased to present this event for the community,” said Brian Dusenberry, president of the Theatre District Association. For a detailed schedule of performances and events go to www.curtainupbuffalo.com. GREAT PUMPKIN FARM FALL FESTIVAL OPENS 10AM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th Some of the best BBQ east of Kansas City, Blues Bands, “Cinderella-Coach-Sized-Pumpkins” (well, almost), our own version of the Olympics, Pumpkin Chuckin’ Siege Machines and all the other stuff you’ve learned to love at Western New York’s premier Family Festival. The fun begins September 27th and runs every day up to Halloween evening. This year there are three feature weekends filled with fall fun and celebration. As always the Fall Festival celebration at the Great Pumpkin Farm features incredible Pumpkin Displays, Rides, Food, and Family Fun. Hayrides, the Pumpkin Palace, the Hay Maze, the Giant Teepee, and acres of Pumpkins make a visit fun for the entire family. The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival opens Saturday, September 27th. Opening weekend will once again include the New York State BBQ-Cookoff, “OINKtoberFest”, on September 27th and 28th featuring Blues bands all weekend. Be sure to be there for Preview Night, Friday September 26th, a food filled peek at the BBQ. The chow down begins at 5PM. The eyes of the world focus on Clarence on Saturday, October 4th, as pumpkin growers worldwide await news on the World Pumpkin Confederation Weigh-off. This year is the 26th annual World Pumpkin Weigh-off. The winners will be announced at 12 Noon. Prizes will be awarded for the three largest Pumpkins brought to the Great Pumpkin Farm Weigh-off. New this year at the Great Pumpkin Farm is the Pumpkin Farm Olympics. This new event is an added attraction to the 3rd weekend of the Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival. On Saturday and Sunday October 11th and 12th kids 12 and under will be able to participate in the first annual Olympics. Fun competitions include corn stalk relay, pumpkin bowling, a hockey shoot, skeleton hunt and more! This weekend also features the annual Pumpkin Drop on Monday, October 13th, Columbus Day. 97 contestants will run to find a prize after a 1000 lb pumpkin falls and smashes from a crane. Columbus Day weekend will feature “Swifty Swine” pig races and Steve Dahlke, master pumpkin carver. The pig races will run 5 shows a day for the 3 days. Watch the master pumpkin carver as he carves 500, 600, 700 pound pumpkins into Halloween characters. Once again the Great Pumpkin Farm will feature a Corn Maze, Children’s Boo Barn (the fun haunted house for kids) and an exciting Trebuchet Contest. Ten+ WNY Schools have signed on to build replicas of these ancient catapult siege machines. This year the schools will be competing not only for distance but will also be shooting at a massive castle target for points. A pumpkin flinging contest will bring forth a winner on Sunday, October 19th. The Great Pumpkin Farm has a vast selection of Halloween items and decorations, bins of LynOaken Farms Apples and their Fresh Squeezed Cider, Fresh Baked Goods, Corn Stalks, Indian Corn, Hay Bales, and of course zillions of Pumpkins. Everything you can imagine to create the spirit of the Halloween Season in and around your home. Open seven days a week from 10AM to dusk rain or shine. Rides and some attractions are open only on weekends. On the first three FALL FESTIVAL weekends— “Oink”toberFest BBQ 9/27 & 9/28, World Pumpkin Weigh Off 10/4 & 10/5, and Columbus Day Weekend 10/11-10/13, there is a $5 admission charge (3 & under are free). Admission on these three weekends includes a full program and many free features: Scarecrow and Pumpkin Decorating Contests, a Mummy Wrapping Contest, a Pie Eating Contest, Tractor Hayrides, Face Painting, Music, Magic, Fabulous Displays, and much more. Advance sale discount tickets are available at Wegmans. There is no admission charge on weekdays (except 10/13 Columbus Day) or on the last two weekends leading up to Halloween. Open daily 10AM to Dusk seven days a week rain or shine. Parking is always free at The Great Pumpkin Farm. We are located in Clarence on Main Street (Route 5) just East of Antique World. We are equidistant from NYS Thruway exits 48A & 49. Call 759-8483 or visit the website at www.GreatPumpkinFarm.com for details and directions to The Great Pumpkin Farm. Desperados Barbecue & Catering Co. Opens Restaurant in Angola You may be familiar with Desperados as caterers, who for years have been a favorite for barbecue at many Western New York events. Now you can enjoy their authentic southwestern barbecue at their restaurant located at 29 Commercial Street in the Village of Angola. They are open Tuesday through Saturday 11:30am-2pm and 4:30-10pm. As you enter the premises, you are aware of the “Old West” décor and the smell of barbecue whets your appetite for what is to come – some of the best smoked meats and side dishes around. They start with the most superior quality meats and the freshest and finest ingredients are used in blending their signature rubs. The consistency of flavor and tenderness are maintained by smoking and cooking most menu items in a genuine Friedrich Smokehouse. Top off your barbecue with a choice of sauces – sweet & tangy, hot & spicy and hickory smoke (all made without preservatives), add in a couple of side dishes and you will be hog heaven. They feature St. Louis style ribs, Kansas chicken, pulled pork & chicken and Texas beef brisket. Their sides include coleslaw, macaroni & cheese, Southwestern smoky beans, corn bread and more. There is also a daily side dish and soup special. You can also buy meat by the pound or hire them for your next event. Contact Desperados at 716-549-5413 or check out their website at www.desperadosbarbecue.com. |
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Navigation: Home - Calendar Of Events Allegany County - Cattaraugus County - Chautauqua County Erie County - Genesee County - Niagara County Orleans County - Wyoming County - Other WNY Counties Copyright 2008 Explore New York all rights reserved No text or images can be used from this site without permission To find out more about being a part of Explore NY magazine or the web site: Forge Ahead Promotions, Inc. PO Box 6 - Silver Creek, NY 14136-0006 Phone:(716) 934-3775.....Fax: (716) 934-0419 Email: info@exploreny.net Graphic design for Explore New York by ZELAK DESIGN Phone:(716) 947-0060 Email: zelakdesign@adelphia.net Site Design by WNY Web Sites |
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