Five Things to do in July 2016

Glen Park in the Village of Williamsville hosts its annual
Art Festival July 30-31
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Taste of Buffalo – Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10 on Delaware Ave. in downtown buffalo, from Niagara Square to Chippewa. The largest two-day food festival in the country will feature over 60 restaurants and food trucks plus six wineries from throughout the area, as well as cooking demonstrations, a beer tent and live music. Hours are Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (beer tent until 11 p.m.) and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – find out more at www.tasteofbuffalo.com.

Old Home Days – Tuesday through Friday, July 12-15 at Island Park, Main St. in the Village of Williamsville. Events include giant parade (Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.), bike rodeo (Wednesday at 11 a.m.), a YMCA 5K run (Thursday at 6:30 p.m.), midway rides, live music and performances, food and much more. Find out more at the Old Home Days website.

Rock the Barn – Friday and Saturday, July 15-16 at The Big Yellow Barn, 9015 Main St. in Clarence. Two days of music and great food to benefit Meals on Wheels Services in Clarence, Akron and Newstead; Friday features Fare Trade, and Saturday is headlined by Caitlin Koch. Tickets are $20 in advance for both days – free for kids under 10; tickets will be $25 at the door. Find out more about the event at rockthebarn.com.

Canal Fest of the Tonawandas – Sunday, July 17 through Sunday, July 24 on both sides of the canal in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. Features food and beverages, midway rides, demonstrations, live entertainment and more. Events include the Canal Fest parade (Tuesday, July 19), Car Cruise (Wednesday, July 20), Bike Cruise (Friday, July 22) and the Arts & Crafts Show (Saturday and Sunday, July 23-24). Find a complete schedule at www.canalfest.org.

Glen Park Arts Festival – Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31 at Glen Park in the Village of Williamsville, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. The festival will feature numerous artisans, food, live entertainment and more. Find out more at the Glen Park Arts Festival Facebook Page. 

Western New York 2016 Independence Weekend fireworks guide

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dori

**fireworks should begin at dusk unless otherwise noted**

July 1 –

• Salamanca – Seneca Allegany Casino – 9:30 p.m.

July 2 –

• Cherry Creek – Town Park
• Ellicottville –Summer Fest (after BPO concert)
• Varysburg – Jam in the Valley

July 3 –

• Akron – Veteran’s Park
• Buffalo – Coca Cola Field – after BPO concert
• Collins – Town Park
• East Aurora – Hamlin Park
• Evans – Lake Erie Beach Park
• Hamburg – Woodlawn Beach
• Town of Niagara Community Park
• Niagara Falls – Seneca Niagara Casino
• Olcott/Newfane – West Pier
• Silver Creek – George Borrello Park
• Town of Tonawanda – Kenney Field

July 4 –

• Amherst – UB North Campus
• Batavia – Dwyer Stadium – after baseball game
• Bemus Point – Midway State Park – 10:05 p.m.
• Boston – Town Park (rain date July 5)
• Buffalo – Canalside (rain date July 5)
• Cheektowaga – Town Park
• Clarence – Town Park
• Concord – Town Park
• Dunkirk – Memorial Park
• Franklinville – Woods at Bear Creek
• Grand Island – Martin's Fantasy Island – 9:30 p.m.
• Lancaster – Save-A-Lot parking lot/Aurora St.  – 10 p.m.
• Lewiston – Academy Park
• Lockport - Outwater Park
• Lyndonville – High School parking lot
• Mayville – Lakeside Park
• Niagara Falls – Goat Island – 10 p.m.
• Olean – Bradner Stadium
• Orchard Park – Middle School – 9:30 p.m.
• Pendleton – Town Park
• Royalton – Hartland Town Park
• Tonawanda – Niawanda Park
• Warsaw – Village Park – 10:30 p.m.
• Wheatfield – Oppenheim Park

Find an updated list at www.wgrz.com.

*****All dates and times subject to change and the weather*****

BfloGirlSports: July 2016 Buffalo Bisons schedule

credit: Buffalo Bisons

• Thursday through Sunday, June 30-July 3 – at home against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (Thursday and Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday – 1:05 p.m., Sunday – 6:05 p.m.)
• Monday and Tuesday, July 4-5 – on the road against the Rochester Red Wings (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Wednesday and Thursday, July 6-7 – on the road against the Syracuse Chiefs (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, July 8-10 – at home against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Friday and Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, July 14-17 – on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Thursday and Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday- 6:35 p.m., Sunday – 1:35 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, July 18-20 – at home against the Norfolk Tides (Monday and Tuesday – 7:05 p.m., Wednesday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, July 21-24 – at home against the Gwinnett Braves (Thursday through Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, July 25-27 – on the road against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (Monday and Tuesday – 7:05 p.m., Wednesday – 12:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, July 28-31 – at home against the Syracuse Chiefs (Thursday through Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)

M&T First Friday: July 1, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dave Pape

On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 5-7 p.m.
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – registration required.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30-1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Public Tour – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building at 1:30 p.m.
• Outdoor Sculpture Tour – free one-hour tour at 4 p.m.
• Drop-in Art Activity – 5-7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music by JazzQuest Trio on the Elmwood Ave. Portico from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Gallery Talk – Marie Lorenz: Ezekia – 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Gallery for New Media.
• Artist Talk: Marie Lorenz – 6 p.m. in the Auditorium
• The Art of Food and Drink: WNY Wineries – 7 p.m. on the Elmwood Ave. Portico - $5 for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Artist Event: Marie Lorenz Pre-Launch Party – 7-9 p.m. on the Elmwood Ave. Portico

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org.

Summer 2016: July cruise nights and car shows

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Cruise nights (ongoing):

• Mondays – Elma Towne Grill Cruise Night (6650 Clinton St. in Elma) starting at 5 p.m. through August 29
• Mondays – Lockport Monday Cruise Night at Ida Fritz Park (Main and Transit Sts. In Lockport) – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (no cruise July 4)
• Tuesdays – Dug-Out Entertainment Complex (6856 S. Transit Rd. in Lockport) – 5 to 8 p.m. – also on Friday nights – 5 to 8 p.m.
• Tuesdays – Pautler’s Cruise Night (6343 Transit Rd. in Clarence) – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays– Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway (Gunnville Rd. in Lancaster) Cruise Night – 6 to 11 p.m. – free admission; grudge racing $5 per run.
• Thursdays – Polish Falcons Auto Club Cruise Night (445 Columbia Ave. in Depew) – 6 to 9 p.m.
• Thursdays – Akron Cruise Night (Main St. in Akron) – 6 to 8 p.m.
• Thursdays – 97 Rock Classic Cruise Night at Transit Lanes (7850 Transit Rd. in Williamsville) and Santora’s (7800 Transit Rd. in Williamsville) – 6 to 9 p.m.

Car shows in July:

• Wednesday, July 6 – Car Cruise to Benefit Scouting at Cappellino Chevrolet, 9000 Boston State Rd. in Boston – 4 to 9 p.m.
• Friday, July 8 – Paddock Chevrolet Super Cruise at Paddock Chevrolet, 3232 Delaware Ave. in Kenmore – 4 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, July 16 – Sixth Annual Man Up Car and Bike Show at East Amherst Fire Dept., 9100 Transit Rd. in East Amherst – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 16 – Burgerfest Car Show on Main St. in the Village of Hamburg – noon to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, July 17 – Cadillac-Lasalle Club of WNY Car Show at Keyser Cadillac, 4130 Sheridan Dr. in Williamsville – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 20 – 18^th Annual Canal Fest Car Cruise on Main St. in Tonawanda and Webster St. in North Tonawanda – 6 to 10 p.m.; staging begins at 3 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday, July 22-24 – Mustangs on the Niagara 2016 at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island – find more information here
• Saturday, July 30 – 22^nd Annual Lions Club Quaker Days Car and Motorcycle Show and Cruise on N. Buffalo St. in the Village of Orchard Park – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; registration begins at 9 a.m.

Sabres hosting NHL Draft Fan Fest at Canalside: Friday, June 24

Canalside will be the site of the Sabres Fan Fest on Friday
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Buffalo Sabres have announced plans for the 2016 NHL Draft Fan Fest at Canalside from 4 to 10 p.m. during Friday, June 24’s first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. The event is open to the public free of charge and will also include a viewing party when the draft begins at 7 p.m.

Fan Fest will feature giveaways, interactive games and appearances from select Sabres players and alumni. There will be live music, giveaways for fans, a Kids Zone and photo opportunities before the draft begins, and food and beverage options will also be available, including many local food trucks.

At 7 p.m., fans will be able to watch the NBCSN draft coverage on two large video screens. 

Throughout the event, fans will have a chance to win prizes and hear from special guests on stage. Coors Light Free Rides will be available on the NFTA Metro Rail on Friday from 5 a.m. til 11:59 p.m. For detailed route and schedule information, text "FREE RIDES" to 90464.

Find out more about Fan Fest at sabres.nhl.com. 

Shakespeare in Delaware Park – June 23-August 21, 2016

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk 33

Shakespeare in Delaware Park kicks off this week on Thursday, June 23 with the season’s first production, the Winter’s Tale, directed by Saul Elkin. The production will run Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park through Sunday, July 17.

The season’s second production will be The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Steve Vaughan. It will also run Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 28 and ending Sunday, August 21.

Shakespeare in Delaware Park performances are free and weather-permitting – check their Facebook page for cancellation updates. Attendees can bring blankets or lawn chairs as well as food and beverages. Shakespeare Hill is located next to Hoyt Lake behind the Rose Garden, near the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Twilight Tour of Homes – June 16, 2016

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk 33

The annual Twilight Tour of Homes, presented by the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site and Explore Buffalo, takes place Thursday, June 16 from 5-9 p.m. This go-at-your-own-pace tour moves to a new neighborhood for 2016 – Chapin, Bidwell and Lincloln Parkways, which were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead – and features seven homes.

Tickets are $40 per person, while a VIP package costs $75 per person (includes pre-tour drinks and hors d’oeuvres at Marcy Casino in Delaware Park).

Find out more at www.trsite.org.

Storytelling: Carrie Underwood with Easton Corbin and the Swon Brothers at First Niagara Center

I’ve been to my fair share of concerts – particularly country shows – over the years, but there were two acts on my bucket list that I really wanted to see: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Mr. Paisley continuously visits Darien Lake every year, but I’m not going out there – luckily, I was able to knock Carrie Underwood off the list in the comfortable confines of the First Niagara Center (please, Brad?!?!?).

 

Vocally and performance-wise, Carrie Underwood was everything I expected – my only complaint about the show was that the lighting was really distracting and downright annoying at times.

Also on the plus side, Easton Corbin was awesome (he was moving up the bucket list, so two birds with one stone, right?), and the Swon Brothers are definitely on the rise. Concert highlight: when Carrie pulled the three guys out for a cover of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Fishin’ in the Dark” – still one of my favorite country songs ever.