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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v12n23 (06/06/2013) » Summer Events

Western New York is bursting with unique summer activities that make the season truly unforgettable. In this guide you will find an Alice in Wonderland-themed Chalk Fest, an entire four days dedicated to Lucille Ball, and the third-largest Juneteenth celebration in the world.

Gather friends and family to explore what our city has to offer in the hottest months of the year.

Festivals June Chatauqua in June Learning Festival

Now-June 16.. Learn a new hobby or skill, over 50 workshops. tourchautauqua.com

5th Annual Cheektowaga Crabapple Festival

June 7-9. Cheektowaga Town Park. Friday:Classic car cruise & music,. Saturday: Little Miss Crabapple Pageant, & the Taste of Cheektowaga,. Sunday: War of 1812 Ceremony, Fag Day concert, & fireworks. tocny.org

13th Annual Buffalo River Fest

June 14-16. Buffalo River Fest Park (249 Ohio St.) Events include a waterfront phot & memorabilia display, food & refreshments, a beer garden, kids area, arts & crafts show, historic tours along the Buffalo River, live entertainment, bingo, & more. thevalleycenter.com

Discover Amherst Street Festival

June 15, 9am-6pm. Amherst Street. A celebration of the area’s revitalization & growth. Family activities, food, entertainment, artwork, & more.

38th Juneteenth of Buffalo

June 15-16. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (Best St. & Fillmore Ave.) The third largest Juneteenth celebration in the wold. Praise & worship, SHARP Parade, entertainment, vendors, book fair, tours, kids activities, African drum & dance lessons, & more. juneteenthofbuffalo.com

Buffalo Blues & Bews Festival

June 16, noon-9pm. Buffalo Niagara Heritage (3755 Tonawanda Creek Road)Bring the family to celebrate roots music & Buffalo Culture. Feat. Walter Trout, Monophonics, Crtt’s Juke Joint, Dive House Union & more. $10, free for kids under 13. bnhv.org

Rotary Club Strawberry Social

June 19, 4-8pm.. Island Park (Williamsville, NY, Behind Village Hall) Clown, face painting., fresh strawberry sundaes & more. willvill.com

Shakespeare in Delaware Park

June 20-August 18, Tuesdays through Sundays, 7:30pm. Hamlet June 20-July 14, Measure for Measure: July 25-August 18. shakespeareindelawarepark.org

8th Buffalo Citybration

June 21-23. Buffalo Waterfront & Various locations. A three day event that showcases Buffalo’s assets, highlights opportunity & celebrates the city’s many successes, Citybration aims to keep the best & brightest here & bring back those who have left. citybration.com

Northtown Subaru Dog Days of Kenmore

June 23. 12pm-4pm. Mang Park (Kenmore, NY). Bring your dog along for a day of canine-related activities & contests. Food, local vendors, & live music. Free. dogdayswny.com

Buffalo Museum of Science Star Lights: The Celestial Bodies Edition.

June 29., 7-8pm VIP, 8-11pm. Buffalo Museum of Science (1020 Humboldt Pkwy.) Star gazing, wine and beer tasting, live entertainment, and food. A variety of astronomy-related activites will take place through out the building.. Admission to Starlights will also include entry to Body Worlds Vital. $60 VIP/$40/$35. Guests sciencebuff.org/events/starlights

July Old Home Days Celebration

July 9-12, 11am-11pm. Island Park (Williamsville, NY, Behind Village Hall). Parade, live music, reunions, rides, fishing derby, refreshments, and more. A popular celebration to honor a century old community tradition. oldhomedays.org

Canal Fest of the Tonawandas

July 14-21. (15 Webster St., Tonawanda, NY). Celebrate the Erie Canal & it’s history. Crafts, parade, golf tournament, chalk it up tornament, rides, & more. The largest event held along the banks of the Ol’Erie in NYS. canalfest.org

Buffalo Infringement Festival

July 25-August 4. Various under the radar arts performances, exhibits, and events throughout the city. infringebuffalo.org

Squeaky Wheel’s 10th Annual Outdoor Animation Festival

July 27, 8:30pm. Days Park (Allentown). Bring a blanket or chair and watch animated films by emerging and established artists under the stars. In case of rain, the screening will be held at Squeaky Wheel. Encore presentation Aug 21 at Canalside. 8:30pm. (712 Main). Free. squeaky.org

August Eden Corn Festival

August 1-4. Legion Dr. & Main St, Eden. . Rides, games, refreshments, parade, contests, music, and various entertainment. Free. edencornfest.com

Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

August 1-4. Jamestown, NY. Chocolate wrapping, Latin dance classes, I Love Lucy trivia contest, tour of Lucille Ball’s hometown & more. Feat. stand up from Kathleen Madigan, Bill Engvall, & the GI’s of comedy. lucycomedyfest.com

Niagara Tattoo Expo

August 2-4. Niagara Falls Conference Center (101 Old Falls St.) Live tatooing & piercing, world renowned artists, contests, awards, sideshow acts, special guests, seminars, & more. niagaratattooxxpo.com

Chalk Fest Buffalo

August 3-4. Along Main St. between W. Huron & Mohawk St.. Alice in Wonderland theme. Chalk & hat-making workshop, hopscotch tournaments, tea parties, balloon artists, music, story book sessions, & more. All ages.

174th Erie County Fair

August 7-18. Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway Clubhouse (5600 McKinley Pkwy. Hamburg, NY). Live music, community stage acts, concerts, fair camp, contests, talent contest, rides, refreshments, animals, and more. ecfair.org

America’s Grape Country Wine Festival

August 10-11. Chatauqua County Fairgrounds (Dunkirk, NY). Wineries, craft, and food vendors, free chef seminars & concert by Uncle Kracker, The Guess Who, & Sean Patrick McGraw. agcwinefestival.com

Food Festivals June Taste of Tonawandas

June 9, 9am-7pm. North Tonawanda Gateway Harbor (corner of Sweeney & Webster). Food from local restaurants, beverage tent, live music, & family activities.. Food tickets are 50¢ each.

Wine & Cheese Weekend

June 14-16. The Niagara Wine Trail. Sponsored by Yancey’s Fancy New York’s Artisan Cheese. $35/$30. niagarawinetrail.org

Taste of Diversity

June 29, 11-am-7pm. Grant St, between Lafyette & Auburn. Authentic food, art, & music from one of Buffalo’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Free admission. tasteofdiversity.org

July Taste of Buffalo

July 13-14. 11am. Delaware Ave & Niagara Square. More than 200 culinary specialties served by WNY’s best restaurants & three stages with a variety of live music. The largest two-day festival in the country. tasteofbuffalo.com

Hamburg Burgerfest

July 21. Along Main St. in Hamburg, Ny. Celebrate the 127th anniversary of the creation of the hamburger. Classic car show, burger-eating contest, parada & music.

August Taste of Williamsville

August 4, 12-9pm. Island Park (Williamsville, NY, Behind Village Hall). Local restaurants offer their best culinary delights .Food tickets are purchased the day of. Free children’s activities & entertainment. village.williamsville.ny.us/events.html

Smokin’ Eagles International BBQ Fest

August 9-11. Gateway Harbor, North Tonawanda. BBQ & baking contests, live music, sauce vendors, & more. A kids-Q contest will be held on the final day. Free. Sebbq.com

Taste of Ellicottville

August 10-11. 12-4pm. Village of Ellicottville. Samples from 22 fine restaurants. $1. ellicottvilleny.com/taste-of-ellicottville

Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival

August 31-September 1., 12pm. Coca-Cola Field (257 Washington St.) Kids zone, cook-offs, contests, Buffalo wings, refreshments, and more. $5. buffalowing.com

Beer & Bacon Festival

August 31, 12pm-6pm. Island Park. Sample beers & bacon dishes for a good cause.. Proceeds & donations go to the Breast Cancer Network of WNY. beerbaconboobs.com

Cultural Festivals June 11th Annual Polish Heritage Festival

June 7-8. Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway Clubhouse (5600 McKinley Pkwy. Hamburg, NY). 11th Year Celebration of Polish Culture & Traditions. Culture, tradition, exhibits, crafters, refreshments, entertainment, and dancing. Music by the Buffalo Touch, & John Stevens Double Shot. The theme for this years festival is Celebrating our 5th Year Guinness World Record Holder Most Fish Dinners Served at an Event. $10/Free Kids under 16. polfunfest.com

German Festival

June 14, 12-8pm. Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village (3755 Tonawanda Creek Road). German music, refreshments, beer, and ale. $6/$4 Kids 4-12/Free Kids 3 & under. bnhv.org

July Macedonian Festival

July 12-14. Sts. Cyril & Methody Macedonian Orthodox Church (4785 Lake Ave., Blasedell, NY). Celebrate the rich heritage of Buffalo’s Macedonian community. Traditional Macedonian food, music, dance groups, cultural exhibits, special menu of lamb, shish-kebab, bbq chicken, cabbage rolls, Macedonian potatoes, & more. stscyrilandmethodymoc.com

Lebanese Festival

July 26-28. St. John Maron Catholic Church (2040 Wehrle Dr.) Homemade Lebanese cusine, traditional dance performances, church tours, rides, and live music. stjohnmaron.org/festival-2011

August Italian Heritage Festival

Aug 1-4, 11am. Hertel Ave. Local entertainment, bocce, Italian Idol contest, demonstrations, crafts, kid’s activities, the second largest Italian street festival in the country. Take in the sights, sounds, food, & culture that make the Italian- American experience so very special. buffaloitalianfestival.com

Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival

Aug 16-18. Corpus Christi Church (199 Clark St. Celebrate the fall harvest w/ Polish beer, music & food. Try to festival’s famous Polish Pizza. dozynkicorpuschristibuffalo.org

Scottish Festival & Highland Games

August 17, 10am-8pm. Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village (3755 Tonawanda Creek Road). Highland games, pipers live performances, food, entertainment, and more. bnhv.org

32nd Buffalo Irish Festival

August 23-25. Canalside. Parade of 32 county flags, Irish music, cuisine, dance, theatre, and more. $10/$8 Kids 4-12 & Seniors/Free Kids under 4. buffaloirish.com

Art Festivals June 56th Annual Allentown Art Festival

June 8-9, 11am-6pm. (Historic Allentown District). Outdoor festival featuring over 400 local artists and crafters, sponsored by the Allentown Village Society. allentownartfestival.com

Niagara Falls Music & Art Festival

June 28-30. 11am-7pm. Old Falls St. District (Between Seneca Niagara Casino & the Niagara Culinary Institute.) Dozens of artists from WNY, Southern Ontario, & North Eastern Ohio. festivalatthefalls.com

38th Annual Lockport Outdoors Art’s & Crafts Festival

June 29, 11am-5pm. (Main st. in downtown lockport off Rt. 78) Over 200 Craft & food vendors from all over the United States. Fun for the whole family w/ free parking & admission.

July Glen Park Arts Festival

July 27-28. 10am-6pm. Glen Park (278 Glen Ave.) Over 30 artists and vendors, 10 local restaurants, student art displays, 20 musical acts and performances, youth activities, & more. facebook.com/glenparkartsfestival

August 47th Annual Lewiston Art Festival

August 10-11, 10am-6pm. Center St., Lewiston, NY. Over 175 artists and fine crafters. Meet the artists, visit College Alley featuring student artwork, KeyBank 28th Annual Chalk Walk Competition, music, food, street performers, make and take workshops, and demonstrations. artcouncil.org/events/artfestival.php

14th Annual Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts

August 24-25 10am. Over 170 artists and crafters, over 50 performances, dance tent, Kidsfest, solar powered stages, cultural row, and refreshments. eafa.techriver.net

September 3rd Annaul Echo: Art Fair

September 7-8, 9:30am-5:30pm. Buffalo Central Library(1 Lafayette Square.) A juried fine art exposition that connects experienced collectors and first-time buyers with established and emerging local, regional, and international artists. Showcases a broad scope of fine art mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, print, works on paper, video, and mixed media alongside performance art, live music, and refreshments.

Garden Walks June 4th Annual National Garden Festival

June 20-August 4. 15 garden walks, talks and tours of nearly 1,000 gardens. Garden-themed bus tours, educational events, & a Buffalo-style garden art sale. nationalgardenfestival.com. 1 (800) BUFFALO

8th Annual Lewiston Garden Fest

June 22-23, 10am-5pm. (Center St., Lewiston, NY). Garden related vendors, activities, speakers, demonstrations, and displays. Sponsored by the Lewiston Garden Club. Bring questions, & soil samples, for master gardeners & floral experts. lewistongardenfest.com

16th Annual Parkside Garden & Architecture Tour

June 30, 10am-4pm. Church of Good Shepherd (Jewett Pkwy & Summit Ave.) Guided Architecture Walking Tour held noon to 2pm. Self guided garden tour, $8 donation. Optional guided architecture/history walk $10. Buffalo Bikeshare rentals available for $15, bring your own helmet. 834-5412

July Grand Island Garden Tour

July 6-7 10am-6pm. Serene Gardens (2800 Grand Island Blvd.) For the first time Grand Island is participating in the National Garden Walk. Self guided tour into some of the most beautiful gardens Grand Island has to offer.. serene-gardens/gigarden-tour-2013.com

Historic Niagara Falls Garden Walk

July 13. 10am-2pm. Covering Main Street core & neighborhoods from Fourth St. & Park Place to Orchard Park & Pierce Ave. Family friendly tour spotlights gardens from formal to cottage. Florists, nurseries, artists & other vendors will offer plants, garden art & more.

Buzz Around Hamburg Garden Walk & Fair.

July 13-14, 10am-4pm. Memorial Park (Lake & Union) Rain or shine. Maps available for free self-guided tour at the bandstand. Coupons for village restaurants & businesses will be included in the brochure. All participating gardens will be clearly marked w/ garden participant signs. hamburggardenwalk.com

Village of Williamsville Garden Tour

July 20 10am-4pm. Village Meeting House (5658 Main St.) Sidewalk sales & farmers market from 8am to 1pm w/ fresh local fruit,meats, vegetables, plants, & flowers. Historic landmarks include Williamsville Meeting house & the Williamsville Water Mill. Tour is free & self guided. village.williamsville.ny.us

Town of Amherst Garden Walk

July 20, 10am-4pm. Free, self-guided tour of gardens in Amherst & neighboring Williamsville. Share WNY gardening secrets w/ local gardeners & view various garden types.

Lancaster Garden Walk

July 20-21, 10am-4:30pm. Stroll through the Village of Lancaster’s historic district View gardens of all types. Free, self guided tour. Programs will be available at Two Chicks & a Rooster & Petals to Please.

Ken-Ton Garden Tour

July 20-21, 10am-4pm. Charming, family friendly neighborhoods bordering the Niagara River. 60 plus gardens from quaint to expensive. View Saturday Night Lights evening tour from 8:30pm-10:30pm. ke-tongardentour.com

South Buffalo Alive Garden Tour

July 21, 9am-3pm. A self guided tour. Cazenovia Park & South Parkm connected by Red Jacket & McKinley Parkways, as designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.. More that 60 gardens that vary from waterfall to train gardens. Follow the Irish Heritage Trail. Headquarters: Tim Russert’s Children’s garden, (2002 South Park Ave.). southbuffaloalive.com

Lockport in Bloom

July 23, 10am-4pm. Kenan Center (433 Locust St.) Self guided tour includes more than 40 gardens from small city plots to large park-like spaces. The city offers a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, & more. lockportinbloom.com

Garden Walk Buffalo

July 27-28, 10am-4pm. More than 380 sites w/ 50,000 to 60,000 visitors each year from across the US & Canada. This is the largest garden tour in the country. Unique shopping & dining throughout Allentown & on Elmwood ave explore sprawling historic Olmstead parks. gardenwalkbuffalo.com

August 8th Annual Black Rock & Riverside Tour of Gardens

August 3, 10am-4pm. More than 60 day gardens, free & self-guided or docent led tours for $10. Starry Night Tour 8pm-10pm. 25 different night gardens. brrgardenwalk.com

Tours

(Various times and locations, view websites for full schedules.)

Buffalo Bites

Elmwood near Cleveland Ave. Buffalo’s first food tasting & cultural walking tour. Sample local eateries & learn about Elmwood Village. $42 adults/$30 kids. buffalobitesfoodtours.com

Buffalo Niagara River Tours

1250 Niagara St. Tours for hikers, bikers, paddlers, and family friendly tours. Free bnriverkeeper.org

Buffalo Touring Company

The Buffalo History Museum (one Museum Court). Hop on a Segway & take a guided tour through historic North Buffalo. buffalotouringcompany.com

Buffalo Tours

617 Main St. 50 self guided audio tours and nearly 500 guided tours. Learn about Buffalo’s historical and architectural heritage. 852-3300, preservationbuffaloniagara.org/page/buffalo-tours

Forgotten Buffalo Tours

Buffalo’s authority on unique landmarks, classic taverns, old world neighborhoods, and Nickel City oddities. Led by Maxwell Truth, the host of Off Beat Cinema. 883-5211, forgottenbuffalo.com

Marble Orchard: Spirits of 1813

Hennepin Park, 4th at Center St. Lewiston. Lewiston played an important role in the War of 1812 & it’s destiny was forever changed. when it was burned to the ground in 1813. Hear dramatic & inspirational stories of the impact the War had on the lives of everyday people. artcouncil.org/events/marbleorchardhistoric.php

Mason Winfield’s Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc.

21 South Grove St. Suite 240. Author and researcher Mason Winfield’s haunted history tours explore history, architecture, mystery, parapsychology, and ghosts. 655-6663, masonwinfield.com

Open-Air Autobus of Buffalo

561 Forest Ave. #3. Historical and architectural attractions. $100 Season pass/$20/$5 Kids. 845-3749, openairbuffalo.org

Sundays in the Cemetery at Forest Lawn

1411 Delaware Ave. Walking and trolley tours June through October. $25 Trolley tours/$15 Walking tours. 885-1600, forest-lawn.com

Sunday Morning Vineyard Walks

9-11am. Johnson Estate Winery (West Main Rd., Westfield) 326-2191. Led by owner Fred Johnson. johnsonwinery.com

Summer Guide: Intro • Festivals, Garden Walks, and Tours Destinations: Griffis Sculpture Park • Explore Orleans County Peaceful Waters • Donaroo 2013 • Consider the Carousel Great Scot • Hat Trick on Main Features: Summer Concert Picks • Old Men of Summer Drive 'Em if Ya Got 'Em • If I Had a Boat... • Silo City Rocks

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