2016 Holiday Happenings: Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights

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The Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights is taking place now through January 6, 2017 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 1023 Swann Rd. in Youngstown. The lights will be on display nightly from 5-9 p.m., and the Shrine and gift shop are open daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Check out the festival from the top of the Basilica and see 75 displays and 15 acres of Christmas lights, and view the Avenue of Saints. Fatima Shrine will host Thanksgiving Day mass at 11:30 a.m., as well as Christmas Eve masses at 4 p.m. and midnight and Christmas Day masses at 9 a.m. and noon. Find out more at www.fatimashrine.com.

2016 Holiday Happenings: Darwin Martin House

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The Darwin Martin House, located at 125 Jewett Pkwy. in Buffalo, will be open for tours Friday and Saturday, November 25-26. Visitors can see the improvements made to the estate during additional tours for the holiday weekend. The Martin House tour (one hour in length) is offered both days every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – tour cost is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, $14 for students and free for members. The Martin House Plus tour (two hours in length) is offered both days at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – tour cost is $37 for adults, $35 for seniors, $33 for students and $31 for members.

The Martin House is also hosting two holiday workshops at the beginning of December. The Holiday Wreath Workshop is on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. – cost for the workshop is $45 for members, $50 for non-members. The Wright Gingerbread House Workshop is on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. – cost for the workshop is $45 for members, $50 for non-members.

Find out more at www.darwinmartinhouse.org.

2016 Holiday Happenings: Fairgrounds Festival of Lights

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The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, with its expanded route of light displays and lots of family activities, takes over the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg (enter from South Park Ave.) on weekends beginning November 25-27 and running December 2-4, December 9-11, and extended hours December 16-23. 

Returning for 2016 is the Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition, taking place November 25-27, with pieces on display throughout the festival. Other activities include the North Pole Experience, featuring Santa Claus; the Tops Winter Wonderland; Mike and Annie’s Holiday Magic; and the Christmas Tree Forest. Visitors can also catch the Upstate Farms Express for a short ride through the festival.

Gates are open 5 to 9 p.m. (grounds remain open through 10 p.m.) – admission is $25 per carload. 

2016 Holiday Happenings: Lockport Tour of Homes

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The Palace Theatre and Explore Buffalo Tours present the third annual Lockport Tour of Homes on Saturday, November 19 from noon-4 p.m. The tour begins at the Kenan Center Arena, located at 433 Locust St. in Lockport, and includes visits to 10 historic locations in Lockport.

The tour is self-guided – a map is provided at the Kenan Center Areana – and docents will be at each home. It is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Tickets are $30, or $25 for Explore Buffalo Explorer Pass holders – make reservations online here. Reservations can also be made at the Palace Theatre Box Office through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or at Mills Jewelers at 53 Main St. in Lockport.

Find out more at explorebuffalo.org. 

BfloGirlTravel: Lake Erie Wine Country

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Lake Erie Wine Country, along the southern shore of Lake Erie in both Pennsylvania and New York, offers 23 unique wineries that have won hundreds of national and international wine quality awards. The wineries themselves have been evolving over the past few years to include other agricultural beverages such as distilled spirits, hard ciders, and microbrews.

“Some of our wineries now provide wine-by-the-glass, seating areas, beautiful gift shops, extended hours, and a great variety of entertainment,” says Lake Erie Wine Country executive director and author Julie Ellis. “On any given weekend throughout the year, visitors may find live music, vineyard walks, winemaker’s dinners, or wine and art events. We even have wineries that now provide food. That was unheard of just a few years ago.” 

Lake Erie Wine Country is a thriving destination for tourists and wine lovers, and it continues to grow.  There is proof in the fact that several wineries are expanding their production and wine tasting areas.

“Those who haven’t visited our region in the past couple of years will be pleasantly surprised to see the new facilities, events, beverages, and wine offerings.” said Ellis.

Lake Erie Wine Country’s 23 wineries are wrapping up their grape harvest and preparing for two Harvest Celebration Weekends, Friday through Sunday, November 4-6 and November 11-13. Ticket holders can visit participating wineries where they can enjoy a special wine paired with a delicious “harvest” food sample. As in the past, ticket holders will also receive additional tastings, a wine glass, recipe booklet, a $5 voucher and a gift. Hours for each of the two Harvest Celebration Weekends are: Friday, noon-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ticket holders can plan their own itinerary, enjoying a self-guided tour to each winery they choose to visit. Tickets are now on sale for the Harvest Celebration Weekends at $35 per person. One ticket is needed for each weekend and is good for all three days. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as tickets are limited, and they are usually sold-out before the event begins; tickets can be purchased online at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. Designated driver tickets are available for only $20 and include everything except wine; an alternate beverage is provided to designated drivers. The region now offers a Friday and/or Sunday only ticket for just $31.

The food and wine sample pairings for all wineries can be found at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org along with detailed information on the double-weekend event. The website also lists events all year long for all 23 wineries. Wineries are open year-around for tours and tastings.

Quotes in this piece provided by Lake Erie Wine Country.

M&T First Friday: November 4, 2016

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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.-10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m. – free in the Education classrooms.
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – free in the 1962 Building.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30-1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – 1:30-2:30 p.m. – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building.
• “What’s Your Vision?” Tour – 4-5 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – live music in the AK Café.
• Gallery Talk – Matt Hoyt: Recent Past, 2010-2016 – 6-6:30 and 7:30-7 p.m. – free lecture with Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magana in the Gallery for Small Sculpture.
• Performance: PA Line – 7:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the Auditorium.
• The Art of Food and Drink: Plume Coffee & Roastery – 8:30-9:30 p.m. in the AK Café – $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

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

Five Things to do in November 2016

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Paint the Town at the Buffalo History Museum – get a head start on holiday shopping at this annual fundraiser on Thursday, November 3 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Museum, One Museum Ct. in Buffalo. The event features some of the region’s top artists, as well as live and silent auctions; tickets are $50 for Museum members, $70 for non-members.

Christmas in the Country – Thursday through Sunday, November 3-6 at the Erie County Fairgrounds Event Center, Expo Hall, 42^nd Street building, Marketplace and Grange building. The 31^st annual artisan marketplace features more than 400 artisans throughout. Hours are Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tickets are $10 at the door.

Festival of Trees – this annual fundraiser benefitting the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital takes place November 19-30 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Buffalo. Among the events that are part of the festival: the Snowball Black Tie Gala on November 19, the Designer Showcase Reception and Awards on November 22 and the Glitter and Glamour Fashion Show on November 30; general admission to view the trees is free.

Fairgrounds Festival of Lights – nearly two miles of light displays take over the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg on the following weekends: November 25-27, December 2-4 and December 9-11, plus extended hours December 16-23. Returning in 2016: The Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition, taking place November 25-27, with pieces on display throughout the festival. Admission is $25 per carload, or purchase carload admission at area Tops locations through November 24 for just $15.

Light Up Lancaster Parade – Saturday, November 26 from 5-9 p.m. The popular event kicks off the holidays and Lancaster’s “Christmasville” celebration. The annual fire truck parade begins at Lancaster High School at 6 p.m. and proceeds down Central Ave., ending at Broadway; stick around for the annual tree lighting ceremony and a 7:15 p.m. concert from Terry Buchwald.