The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation has announced its 2013 program of events happening at Canalside this summer. 800,000 people are expected to make their way down to Buffalo's waterfront to enjoy the 800 activities and events scheduled.
Highlights of the 2013 Programming and Events Season include:
- June 2: Pride Festival
- June 15: Pop Up Park Playground
- July 4: July 4th Celebration
- July 5: Arrival of the Schooner Lois McClure
- July 13-14: Celebration of Music with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Friends
- August 17: The Color Run
- August 18: Clutch Artists Autorama
- August 21: Squeaky Wheel’s Outdoor Animation Festival
- August 23-25: Buffalo Irish Festival
- September 13-15: Tall Ships Festival
Officials have also updated the boat dock, brought on an additional boat to the 'Spirit of Buffalo' tour, and added new picnic, ping pong and pool tables.
ECHDC President Thomas Dee said every day of the season there will be something to do.
"If you go back four years where we had almost no events we were paying people, enticing people to come down here. Now people are saying we don't need money we'll do this one our own, we just want to be down there," said Dee.
Dee said they are also addressing the lack of restaurants along the waterfront by asking local food trucks to make their rounds more often this summer. Buffalo Place has also announced that they will be bringing more than 18 concerts to Canalside.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said about 95% of the events coming to the waterfront this year will be free or low-cost.
"I think in a few years when the HarborCenter is built out, the historically aligned canals are in, and all of the other development that's going on right now with the cranes that we see in the air and the earth movers, this will, in fact, be one of the most exciting waterfront destinations in the entire nation," said Brown.
To see the list of all the events scheduled visit CanalsideBuffalo.com
