Five Things to do in May 2015

May…where did the first four months of the year go?!?! Not that I want to bring back that snow or anything!

If you’re looking for something to do in Buffalo in May, here are five ideas:

Support a local farm – most of the area’s farmer’s markets will be opening in May, so show them some Buffa-love. I’ll be putting together a list of farmer’s markets soon, but here’s a 2014 list from Buffalo Spree magazine – most have links to their websites or Facebook pages which should have updated info.

paulathompsonfreelance.com

Food Truck Tuesdays – Larkin Square is back at it for 2015, with the popular Food Truck Tuesdays program starting up on May 5^th and running through October 27^th. There are over 20 trucks from Buffalo and Rochester (and beyond) on the schedule for 2015, and there will also be live music and local vendors with art, produce, décor and more. Find out more here.

Change up your workout routine – I’m partial, but Shannon Connors is the best instructor I’ve ever had at a gym – which is why I’ve gone through three gyms with her! She’s finally doing something she should’ve (in my opinion) done three years or so ago – opening her own gym! Check her out on Transit Rd. in Depew – she will kick your a** in a good way! Congrats Shannon! :)

Get back to Canalside – Canalside in downtown Buffalo kicks off the unofficial summer season on Memorial Day weekend with the Boardwalk Carnival at Canalside, happening Saturday through Monday, May 23^rd through 25^th. Hammerl Amusements will be providing the rides and games, and there will be plenty of food, beverages and entertainment for all ages – get more information here.

paulathompsonfreelance.com

Cherry Blossoms in Buffalo – the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival will take place Saturday, May 2^nd through Saturday, May 9^th at the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, located behind the Buffalo History Museum. Events during the festival include a tea ceremony, a Japanese doll display at the Museum, an interactive Parade of Fashion and the Cherry Blossom Challenge Orienteering event. Get the complete schedule at the above-listed link.

Better Late Than Never: A Springtime Visit to the Japanese Garden and Buffalo History Museum

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned – kind of like my writing about this at the end of summer instead of in the spring when I went. My trip to the Japanese Garden at Delaware Park was another one of those things – I had originally wanted to go during the Cherry Blossom Festival in late April, but thanks to weather and life in general, I didn’t go until about a week after the festival ended.

That turned out to be a good thing.

It seemed like the festival was a little early thanks to the wacky Buffalo weather in winter and spring. When I went, it looked like the optimal time.

My trip to the Garden also included a trip to the Buffalo History Museum, which is located in front of the Garden. The Museum was hosting a Buffalo Sabres exhibit entitled “Forging a Connection,” a look at the early years of the Sabres, including the rise of the French Connection and the fall of Tim Horton. One of the coolest parts of the exhibit was the collection of tickets from Sabres games of that era – each one on a stand in a small box with its own light, filling an entire wall.

The Buffalo History Museum is also home to numerous other exhibits concerning – of course – Buffalo’s history. It will soon be the home of the Tim Russert exhibit that was on display at the NEWSeum in Washington, D.C.

Find out more about the Buffalo History Museum at www.buffalohistory.org, and the Japanese Garden at japanesegardenofbuffalo.blogspot.com and www.buffalocherryblossomfestival.com. 

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com