By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – One of Buffalo's most popular summer events is relocating. The Taste of Buffalo takes it's delicious offerings to Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo after 21 years on Main Street.
If you're one of the 400,000 people who count the days -- and save calories -- all year long for Taste of Buffalo -- don't panic. The festival will still feature the delectable and varied cuisine from your favorite regional eateries -- more than 50 of them, in fact.
That's actually why the festival is moving. James Morrell is chair of this year's Taste of Buffalo. He says they needed more elbow room.
"We've outgrown, basically, Main Street. Moving to Delaware Avenue has allowed the Taste of Buffalo to bring in bigger national sponsors, to allow our patrons the ability to move around and not be forced into areas that are really small," said Morrell.
Of course, Morrell says moving the tasty tradition hasn't exactly been a piece of cake. A logistics team worked all year to make sure the move doesn't fall flat. But Morrell says it will be worth it, with some big new sponsors and big attractions.
"Caribbean Cruise Line is going to have a four-story high replica of a ship that will be interactive for kids. There's a rock climbing area...Loweries is going to come in and do some cooking demonstrations," said Morrell.
And don't forget the four stages of entertainment that will add to your open-air dining experience. It will be a beautiful one. Niagara Square and City Hall will now serve as the backdrop. And that allows for an extra treat. The Landmark Society will offer tours of City Hall throughout the weekend. Executive Director Dennis Galucki says they expect it to be a popular addition.
"If they are sitting right in front, with this wonderful new venue for the Taste of Buffalo, right in Niagara Square, I have a feeling we are going to have quite a few people take advantage of this unusual weekend opportunity," said Galucki.
The Taste of Buffalo will be held on Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th -- in Niagara Square and on Delaware Avenue downtown.