The Western New York summer festival guide
It’s time to get your calendar out to mark down where you’ll be this festival season
Time to get out your calendars and make your travel plans. There’s no time to lose — it’s festival season, and groups large and small across Western New York are inviting you to come join the fun practically every weekend this summer.
Get a glimpse of cultures from around the world at ethnic festivals, including Polish, Irish, Ukrainian, Italian, Lebanese and Scandinavian.
Or, maybe you’d be interested in an event where you really do enter another nation — the Tuscarora Nation’s picnic and field days, on July 11.
Fun along the waterfront will be the order of the day at Evangola State Park’s Pirate Festival, Canal Fest along the Erie Canal in North Tonawanda and the City of Tonawanda, and Wreck and Roll in along the Lake Erie Shore in Dunkirk.
Hungry day-trippers will find food and drink in plenty of places this summer, but there are also several festivals devoted specifically to conspicuous consumption. The Burger Fest in Hamburg, and Buffalo’s National Chicken Wing Festival and Taste of Buffalo all provide chances for eaters to get their fill.
If those kind of events seem a bit fatty, head for the healthier end of the dietary pyramid, with festivals devoted to peaches in Lewiston, tomatoes at Evangola State Park and corn in Eden.
To finish up, what else? A strawberry festival. And a nap.
June
June 6-8: Hellenic Heritage Festival. Greek food and wine. Live music and dancing. Boutiques and cultural exhibits. Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 146 West Utica St. 882-9485. www.buffalohellenicfestival.org. $2. 882-7121.
June 7: Brass Ring Thing Renaissance Festival. Jousting, juggling, swordfighting and other medieval pursuits. Face painting, wood carving and maypole dance. Food and drink. Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda. $3-$10. 693-1885.
June 7-8: Tonawanda Folk Festival. Includes children’s entertainment, live music and dance performances. Niawanda Park, River Road, Tonawanda. www.tonawandafolkfestival.org.
June 7-8. Jammin’ in June Music Fest. Live music. Food and drink. Games, bounce houses, clowns, raffles and more. $5. St. Amelia School Grounds, 2999 Eggert Road, Tonawanda. 836-2230.
June 8: Family Fun Day. Includes games, a magician, crafts, bounce house and food. Cornerstone Community Church, 49 Capen Blvd. 873-7463.
June 13-15: North Tonawanda Catholic Carnival. Live music. 5K race. Polish food and other eats. St. Albert the Great Church, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.
June 14: Rediscover Amherst Street. Parade. Wiener-eating contest. Strawberry festival. Origami. Bounce house. 884-3303.
June 14: St. Francis Family Festival. Includes food, live music, contests and more. St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 73 Adam St., Tonawanda. 693-1150.
June 14: Augustana Swedish Heritage Festival. Includes ethnic foods, activities, crafts, Swedish dancers and band, Viking re-enactors and more. Augustana Lutheran Church, 3143 Eggert Road, Tonawanda. swedishfestraffle. tripod. com. 832-5720.
June 14: KIFD/ABATE Motorcycle Run & Picnic. Includes music, food, prizes, awards, bike show, run and more. Kiantone Independent Fire Department, 2318 Stillwater-Frewsburg Road, Jamestown. www.cyberspokes.com. $10. 488-0395.
June 14-15: Merritt Estate Winery Annual Strawberry Festival. Strawberry shortcake, plus other food and drink. Classic car cruise. Live music. Clowns, clog dancing and more. Merritt Estate Winery, 2264 King Road, Forestville. www.merrittestatewinery.com. 888-965-4800.
June 14-15: Allentown Art Festival. Featuring numerous craftspeople and artwork in various mediums, music, entertainment, food and more. www.allentownartfestival.com. 881-4269.
June 14-15: Juneteenth Festival. Live Music. Food and drink. Youth performances, parade, children's activities, underground railroad tours and more. Martin Luther King Park.
June 18: Strawberry Festival. Includes food, strawberry shortcake, live music, childrens games, clowns and more. Christ Episcopal Church, Route 31 at Fieldcrest Drive, Lockport. 433-9229.
June 20-21: Wreck and Roll Festival. Live music. Amateur watercraft construction. Food and drink. Chicken wing contest. Motorcycle and classic car cruises. www.cityofdunkirk.com. 8-22 Central Ave., Dunkirk. 366-9876.
June 20-22: Lawn Fete. Food and drink. Live music. Rides, clowns and more. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 3148 Abbott Road, Orchard Park. 824-2935.
June 21-22: St. Vincent De Paul Lawn Fete. Live music. Rides and carnival games. Raffle. Food and drink. St. Vincent De Paul Church, 2050 Southcreek Road, Evans. 627-3382.
June 22: Crystal Beach Art Festival. Includes art displays, children’s interactive area and live music. Waterfront Park, Ridgeway Road, Crystal Beach, Ont. 905-894-2826.
June 27-29: St. Andrew’s Lawn Fete. Live music. Food and drink. Gambling. Children’s games. 34 Francis St., Sloan. 892-0425.
June 28: North Buffalo Days. Includes food, live music, gambling, children’s rides, games and crafts. Holy Spirit Church, 85 Dakota Ave. 875-8102.
June 28-29: Roycroft Summer Art Festival. Crafts and antiques sale. Art demonstrations. Live music. Food and drink. Roycroft Campus, 31 South Grove St., East Aurora. www.ralaweb.com. 655-7252.
July
July 2-6: Friendship Festival. Live music. Midways. Food and drink. Children’s activities. Military reenactment. Fireworks. www.friendshipfestival.com. Riverside Park, Buffalo, and Mather Arch Park, Ft. Erie. (888) 333-1987.
July 3-5: Fourth of July Celebration. Rides. Food. Live entertainment. Car show. Bed race. Live music. Bocce tournament. Russell Park, Akron.
July 4: Fourth of July Celebration. Food and drink. Fireworks. Fourth of July Celebration. www.cityofdunkirk.com. 8-22 Central Ave., Dunkirk. 366-9876.
July 4: Lyndonville Lions Club Fourth of July Celebration. Parade. Food and drink. Arts and crafts show. Philharmonic concert. Fireworks. Main Street at Housel Avenue. Lyndonville.
July 4-6: Great Blue Heron Music Festival. Music festival. greatblueheron.com. $22-$70. Sherman, N. Y.
July 4-6: Ellicottville Summer Festival of the Arts. Includes concerts, fireworks, picnic, entertainment, arts and crafts show, pet parade and more. www.ellicottvilleny.com. Various locations throughout Ellicottville. (800) 349-9099 or 699-5046.
July 5: Clarence Day in the Park. Pie-eating contest, games, “Guitar Hero” contest. Food and drink. Live music. Clarence-DayInThePark.org. 10405 Main St., Clarence.
July 7: A Moveable Feast. Chalk sidewalk art. Contests and activities for children. Food and drink. Live music. Waterfront School, 95 Fourth St.
July 8-11: Old Home Days. Annual celebration in the Village of Williamsville features an opening-night parade, rides, music, bike rodeo, dancing demonstrations, food and more. Island Park, Main Street, Williamsville. www.geocities.com/oldhomedays.
July 11-12: Annual Tuscarora Picnic and Field Days. Includes a smoke dance competition, traditional foods, lacrosse, arts and crafts, live entertainment and more. Corner of Walmore Road and Mt. Hope Road, Tuscarora Indian Reservation. 628-5424.
July 12-13: Taste of Buffalo. Sixty local restaurants, plus a handful of wineries, sell samples. Includes cooking demonstrations, music, dance and magic. www.tasteofbuffalo.com. Niagara Square area.
July 12: Church of the Holy Communion Barbecue. Food and drink. Bounce house. Martial arts demonstration. $4-$10. Route 5 and Old Lake Shore Road, Lakeview. 627-7754.
July 12-13: Town of Sheldon Bicentennial Event. Children’s parade. Live music. Food and drink. Pageant. Fireworks. Strykersville Fire Company.
July 12-13: Old Sanborn Days. Craft show. Petting zoo. Food. Car show. Live music. Chainsaw artists. www.northofthefalls.com . Rt. 429, Sanborn. 754-9500.
July 13-20. Canal Fest of the Tonawandas. Includes rides, vendors, food, games, live entertainment and more. www.canalfest.org. Main and Young streets, Tonawanda, and Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda. July 15-19: Genesee County Fair. Includes rides, vendors, food, games, live entertainment and more. gcfair.com/thefair. Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.
July 16: Angola on the Lake Rockin’ Reunion. Live music. Food and drink. 8965 Old Lake Shore Road, Angola. 549-0970.
July 17-20: Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival. Includes food, vendors, live entertainment, a bocce tournament, contests, demonstrations, games and more. www.buffaloitalianfestival.com. Hertel Avenue between Virgil and Crestwood.
July 18-20: Great Wellsville Balloon Rally. Hot air balloons. Food and drink. Craft vendors. Live music, fireworks and more. www.wellsvilleballoonrally.com Main Street, Wellsville.
July 18-20: Scandinavian Folk Festival. Scandinavian comedian, dancing and music. Food and drink. Workshops, vendors, children’s activities and more. Jamestown Community College, 525 Falconer St., Jamestown. www.scandinavianjamestown.org. $6-$15. 338-1187.
July 19: Burgerfest. Food, including hamburgers. Classic car show. Live music, children’s activities. Beer and other drinks. Main Street, Hamburg. 983-9861.
July 19: Ellicottville Antique Farm Fair and Tractor Show. Horse-drawn hayrides. Bee hive exhibit. Live music. Food and drink. Antique auction, alpacas and more. Jefferson Street, Ellicottville. 378-0916. July 19: United Methodist Yard Sale. With over 50 vendors, includes food and live entertainment. Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St., Hamburg. 649-6000.
July 21-26: Orleans County 4-H Fair. Includes rides, vendors, food, demonstrations, games, live entertainment and more. Orleans County Fairgrounds, Route 31, Knowlesville. www.orleans4-hfair.com
July 21-27: Chautauqua County Fair. Includes rides, vendors, food, demonstrations, games, live entertainment and more. Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, 1089 Central Ave., Dunkirk. www.chautauquacountyfair.org. 366-4752.
July 24: Caribbean Night — Taste of Orchard Park. Includes food, live music, a bounce house, magic and more. orchardparkchamber. com. North Buffalo Street, Orchard Park. 662-3366.
July 24-27: St. John Vianney Lawn Fete. Includes food, live music, games, fireworks and more. St. John Vianney Church, 2950 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park. 674-9133.
July 25-27: Timon Under The Tent. Food and drink. Games of chance and raffles. Live music. Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School, 601 McKinley Parkway. 826-3610, Ext. 259.
July 25-26: St. John the Baptist Summer Festival. Food and drink. Carnival rides. Games. Live music. Run. St. John the Baptist, 1085 Englewood Ave., Kenmore. 873-1122.
July 25-27: Lebanese Festival. Authentic Lebanese food. Dancing. Games for children and adults, raffles, backgammon and more. St. John Maron Maronite Church, 2040 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville. www.stjohnmaron.org. 634-0669.
July 25-26: Fabulous Fifties Festival. Pancake breakfast. Children’s carnival. Food and drink. Car show. Live music. www.fab50sfest.org. Clough Avenue, Arcade.
July 25-27: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Lawn Fete. Live music. Rides. Food and drink. Raffles. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, 10 French Road, Depew. 684-6342.
July 26: Family Fun Fest. Food and drink. Book and movie sale. Children’s games and crafts. Live music. North Park Lutheran Church, 310 Starin Ave. 836-2785.
July 26-27: Town of Cambria Bicentennial Weekend Celebration. Artisan demonstrations. Petting zoo and buggy rides. Food and drink. Flea market. Fireworks. Niagara County Community College, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn. www.townofcambria.com.
July 26-27: Pirate Festival. Includes a midway, pirate costume contest, food and more. Evangola State Park, Old Lake Shore Road, Brant. www.piratefest.org. 549-1802.
July 27: Operation Purple Camp Family Summerfest Day. Children’s activities. Food and drink. Carnival games, train rides and more. Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center, 9324 Lake Shore Road, Angola. www.pioneercamp.org $5-$10. 549-1420.
July 28-Aug. 3: Cattaraugus County Fair. Includes rides, vendors, food, demonstrations, games, live entertainment and more. Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, 501 Erie St., Little Valley. www.cattarauguscofair.com. $6-$9. 938-9146.
July 30-Aug. 3: Niagara County Fair. Includes exhibits, a midway, activities, food, vendors, demonstrations and more. Niagara County Fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. 433-8839.
July 31-Aug. 3: Eden Corn Festival. Includes corn eating, contests, live entertainment, rides and more. www.edencornfest.com. Main Street, Eden.
August
Aug. 1-3: St. Christopher Summerfest. Featuring games, food, music, rides, classic car show and more. St. Christopher Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda. 692-2660.
Aug. 3: St. Rose of Lima Lawn Fete. Food and drink. Live music and dancing. Pony rides, children’s games and more. St. Rose of Lima, 11 Center St., Forestville. 965-4121.
Aug. 3: Pennies to Heaven & Chicken Barbecue. Children’s games. Raffles. Theme baskets. Chicken barbecue. Our Lady of Victory, 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna.
Aug. 3-4: Chadwick Bay Beach Bash. Live entertainment. Sand sculptures. Ice cream eating contest. Car cruise. www.cityofdunkirk.com. 8-22 Central Ave., Dunkirk. 366-9876.
Aug. 5: National Night Out. Petting zoo. Clowns. Children fingerprinting. S. W. A. T. team demonstration. Food, drink and more. Lincoln Park Arena, Parker Boulevard at Decatur Road, Tonawanda. 879-6645. Aug. 6-17: America’s Fair. Featuring giant midway, live entertainment, agricultural displays, arts and crafts, exhibits, food and more. Hamburg Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg. www.americas-fair.com. Free-$9. 649-3900.
Aug. 8-9: Old Tyme Country Festival. Horseshoe tournament. Live music. Food and drink. Children’s activities and more. Aldrich St., Gowanda.
Aug. 9: Blues, Brews & BBQ. Live music. Beer, barbecue and more. Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive. buffalocentralterminal. org. $10-$12. 954-2225.
Aug. 9-10: Lewiston Outdoor Fine Arts Festival. Art displays. Chalk murals. Street performers. Food. www.artcouncil.org/fineart.htm. 754-0166.
Aug. 9-10: America’s Grape Country Wine Festival. Live music. Food and drink. Farmers’ market. Crafters, vendors and more. Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, 1089 Central Ave., Dunkirk. www.merrittestatewinery.com. $15-$20. 800-965-4834.
Aug. 15-17: St. Leo the Great Lawn Fete. Midway rides. Live music. Food and beer. Cruise night. St. Leo the Great Church, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst. www.stleothegreatamherst.com. 835-8905.
Aug. 16: August Fest. Includes food, crafters, artisans, a contest, a parade and more. Main Street, Newfane.
Aug. 16-17: Sanborn-Lewiston Farm Museum Festival. Antique engines and equipment. Flea market. Dancing. Live music. Fireworks. Food, drink and more. Sanborn-Lewiston Farm Museum, 2660 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn. www.sanbornhistory.org. 946-6811.
Aug. 17: South Park Italian Festival. Live music. Food and drink. Dancing. www.southbuffalochamber.org. 824-9942.
Aug. 17: Sandy’s Beach Bash. Includes food, live music, a volleyball tournament and more. Dock at the Bay, 3800 Hoover Road, Hamburg. www.sandysbash.net $10-$12. 823-8247.
Aug. 22-24: Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival. Live music. Food. Classic car show. Antique show. www.lewistonjazz.com. 754-9500.
Aug. 22-24: St. Barnabas Lawn Fete. Includes rides, food, games, live music, a car show and more. 2049 George Urban Blvd., Depew. 685-2350.
Aug. 22: Lord of Life Chinese Auction and Mini-carnival. Food and games. Live music. Dance and karaoke contests. Margarita bar. www.lordoflife.us. 1025 Borden Road, Depew.
Aug. 23-24: Polish Harvest Festival. Live music. Food and drink. Raffle. Gardening workshop. 199 Clark St. 896-1050. Aug. 24: Springville Street Painting Festival. Featuring pastel artists working on their reproductions throughout the day, live entertainment, vendors, food and more. www.springvillestreetpaintingfestival.com. Franklin and North Buffalo streets off Route 39, Springville. 913-1404.
Aug. 29-31: Tomato Festival. Includes games, food, a farmers’ market, contests, live music and more. Evangola State Park, Old Lake Shore Road, Brant. Free-$7. 549-1802.
Aug. 30-31: National Buffalo Wing Festival. Chicken wing contests, sales. Live entertainment. Other food and beer. Kid zone. Dunn Tire Park, 275 Washington St. www.buffalowing.com. Free-$6.
September
Sept. 5-6: Commodore John Barry Irish Festival. Live music. Food and drink. Bounce house and children’s activities. oleanaoh.org. $3. West State Road, Olean.
Sept. 5-7: Niagara County Peach Festival. Peach shortcake. Parade. Food and drink. Carnival rides. Live entertainment. www.lewistonkiwanis.org/peachfest.html. Center Street, Lewiston.
Sept. 6: South Buffalo Irish Feis and Expo. Live music and dancing. Food and drink. Business exhibition. Children’s activities, and more. www.southbuffaloirishfestival.com. Cazenovia Park.
Sept. 6-7: Merritt Estate Winery Annual Septemberfest. Grape stomping. Clog dancing. Live music. Food and drink. Car cruise, clowns and more. Merritt Estate Winery, 2264 King Road, Forestville. 965-4800. www.merrittestatewinery.com. 888-965-4800.
Sept. 7: Ukrainian Festival. Live music and dancing. Food and drink. Vendors, raffles, balloon animals, and more. St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3275 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore. 873-5011.
