Five Things to do in March 2015

Be gone February! You were a monster! Bring on March – and hopefully it’s more lamb-like than lion-esque. Here are a few things to check out as Mother Nature hopefully decides to warm things up for spring!

Get your Zumba on – the first time I took a Zumba class, I thought I hated it – turns out I just didn’t like the instructor, because I’ve found plenty of great instructors since then. I was only able to take Cindy and Marisa’s class once when they were at my current gym, but they were awesome – now I’m seriously thinking about attending their Zumbathon on Sunday, March 22^nd at the Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware St. in Tonawanda. It’s for a great cause – Make-A-Wish – and sounds like it’ll be packed! Find out more here.

Maple syrup
credit: Wikimedia
Commons/
Miguel Andrade

Maple Weekends – spring means maple syrup and more, and Western New York is a great place to get it! At the end of March (March 21^st and 22^nd and March 28^th and 29^th, specifically), producers across New York State open their farms for demonstrations, sampling and more. Find out what’s available in the area at www.nysmaple.com.

Frozen on Canalside – ever wonder how people used to survive harsh winters on Lake Erie? Take a walking tour of Canalside – “Frozen In Time” – and find out how they lived on the waterfront. This 45-minute tour begins at 2 p.m. and takes place Saturdays and Sundays, March 1^st, 7^th, 8^th, 14^th and 15^th. Find more to do at Canalside at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

Plantasia 2014
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Spring? Really?? – I think it’s coming this year…at least I hope so, I really want to get into my gardens! Even if there’s snow on the ground, this will get me in the mood – Plantasia: Every Garden Tells a Story, taking place March 19^th through 22^nd at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. The annual landscape and garden show has some new elements this year, including a garden tea party, Painting with a Twist classes and a craft beer night. Find out more about Plantasia at www.plantasiany.com.

Everyone in Buffalo is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day – there are plenty of events going on throughout the Buffalo-Niagara area the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day (including a ScavengerHunt at Canalside), but the two biggest events are the annual parades. On Saturday, March 14^th, the 22^nd annual Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place at noon, leaving from the Valley Community Center at 95 Leddy St. in Buffalo and winding through the streets of the Buffalo River Community, with viewing on South Park Ave., Smith St., Elk St. and more. Find the parade route and information about the “Hooley” following the parade here. On Sunday, March 15^th, the Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade makes its way down Delaware Ave. beginning at 2 p.m. – get the full details here.