Where to see Independence Day weekend fireworks in Buffalo-Niagara
By Natalie Morera NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 07/03/08 10:48 AM
This Fourth of July will mark the return of fireworks to Buffalo’s waterfront.
The Fourth of July celebration will be the first major public event at the Central Wharf. The event will run from 4 to 10 p. m. on Friday with entertainment, food and beverages. Hands-on children’s activities will be offered between 2 and 6 p. m.
The fireworks display will start at 9:45 p. m.
For many years, one of the region’s biggest fireworks displays had been held at the Erie Basin Marina. The display was abandoned several years ago.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced that the Metro Rail will extend its service on Friday to run about one hour after the fireworks display. Parking is free at the University and LaSalle Park and Ride lots.
Here are other locations for fireworks displays and Fourth of July celebrations:
• Amherst — The town is sponsoring fireworks Friday at the shore of Lake LaSalle on the University at Buffalo North Campus. Music begins at 7 p. m. with the Billy McEwen Band and the Erie County Wind Ensemble. Fireworks begin at 10 p. m.
• Blasdell — The annual Freedom Festival begins at 5:30 p. m. Thursday at Firemen’s Park on Lake Avenue. A fireworks display will be held around 10 p. m. today. Admission to the festival is $3 a person.
Wristbands can be purchased at Blasdell Village Hall on Miriam Avenue, Rocko’s Tacos on Lake Avenue or Forster’s Pharmacy on South Park Avenue.
• Buffalo — The 4th at Riverside celebration runs through Sunday. On Friday, a fireworks show will begin at dusk. It will be repeated on Saturday night.
The Buffalo Bisons will have their Independence Eve Celebration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and a fireworks display after tonight’s game. The night will include pregame ceremonies and a post-game concert from the orchestra and chorus. Fireworks will follow.
• Cheektowaga — There will be a three-day Fourth of July celebration starting today. Carnival rides will be operating from 1 to 10 p. m. Thursday through Saturday in the Cheektowaga Town Park. From 6:30 to 10:30 p. m., Hit and Run will be playing in the pavilion area. A parade will take place Friday at noon starting at Harlem Road and Walden Avenue and ending at Cheektowaga Town Park . Fireworks will begin at dusk. There will be a concert Saturday from 6:30 to 10:30 p. m., also in the pavilion area.
• Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda — On Friday, Sugar and Jazz will be playing at Niawanda Park. Rip and the Band Dogs will be playing at the Tonawandas Gateway Harbor at 7 p. m. Fireworks will begin on the north end of Tonawanda Island at dusk.
• Clarence — On Saturday at 2 p. m., Clarence Town Park will have children’s games, a chicken barbecue and live bands. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
• East Aurora — A parade will begin at 7:30 p. m. today on Main Street. Fireworks will be at 10 p. m. today in Hamlin Park.
• Elma — A fireworks display will take place at dusk at the EMW Boys and Girls Club on Girdle Road.
• Grand Island — The Grand Island Fire in the Sky celebration will take place at Martin’s Fantasy Island. Beginning at 5 p. m., Grand Island residents can get in free with a photo identification and proof of residency. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
• Lancaster — Today from 1 to 11 p. m., there will be carnival rides at Central Avenue from Broadway to Brookefield Place and West Main Street. On Friday, the festivities will begin at 8 a. m. with a flag-raising ceremony at the Municipal Building. Attendees can register their babies for the Baby Contest on the mainstage at 8 a. m. The contest takes place at 9 a. m. Between 11 and 1 p. m., the Lancaster/ Depew Teen Idol winners and the Lancaster Town Band will perform on the mainstage. At 2 p. m., there will be a parade on Pleasant Avenue from Court Street to North Aurora Street. The “Fireworks Spectacular” is at 10 p. m. and is choreographed to music.
• Lewiston— Fireworks will be set off at dusk Friday at the spoil areas in Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park. The Sanborn Fire Company band will play patriotic music from 7 to 9 p. m. in Academy Park.
• Lockport — Lockport fireworks will be held at Outwater Park on Saturday starting about 9: 45 p. m. A parade will be held at 6:30 p. m. today from Lockport High School to Main Street down at Locust Park.
• Niagara Falls — The Seneca Niagara Casino will have fireworks at 9:45 p. m. today. There also will be fireworks at Hyde Park at dusk Friday. On Saturday, the Positively Main Street Festival will be held from 10 a. m. to 10 p. m. at Main Street between Cedar and Chilton avenues. Beatlemania Again, a tribute band, will be playing. Food, pony rides, a petting zoo and a motorcycle show will available.
• Olcott — Fireworks will be shot off at 10 p. m. from the west pier over Lake Ontario. The best views will be along the shoreline, Krull Park and Olcott Harbor. Friday at 12:30 p. m., a Kids Patriots Parade will start at Krull Park lakefront parking lot and end at the Olcott Beach Carousel Park with a ride on the carousel. From 7 to 10 p. m. there will be a free concert by the Lockport Community Band at the Olcott Lions Club Band Shelter. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
• Olean—The city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration will take place Friday at Bradner Stadium. The fireworks are organized by the Olean Professional Firefighters Association. Stadium gates open at 5:30 p. m. Coolers and other packages carried into the stadium will be checked for security purposes.
• Orchard Park — A parade will take place Friday with neighborhoods, businesses and organizations designing floats. The parade will began at 8 p. m. in the Orchard Park High School parking lot and end on South Lincoln Avenue. Prizes will be given to the best floats. Fireworks will follow the parade.
• Salamanca — The Seneca Allegany Casino will have fireworks at 9:45 p. m. Friday.
• Wheatfield — A fireworks display will take place at dusk at Oppenheim Park.
