With hundreds of thousands of people attending each year, The Taste of Buffalo remains the area's largest summer festival.It also may be the largest volunteer effort. Among the hundreds who will be giving of their time this Saturday and Sunday for the 31st annual Taste of Buffalo will be event chairperson Ann Hackett.
Hackett says planners try to find ways to improve the event each year, but food remains the top priority. There will be 17 new restaurants on the list of the 60+ eateries that will be on hand this weekend.
"We want great restaurants coming, so this year we searched out and met with a few of the restaurants," Hackett tells WBFO.
Other twists have been added to accommodate the anticipated 450,000 visitors to the Taste of Buffalo. In the style of a lawn fete, a beer tent will be the center of activities in Niagara Square. Seven bands will perform at the tent throughout the weekend. The legendary Buffalo band Cock Robin will be there Saturday night at 9 p.m.
"We also have a our 'Taste of Fun Kids Zone,'"Hackett said. "It has all these fun activities that kids can do on a grassy area."
Any advice for Taste of Buffalo guests?
"Beforehand, I would hit up our festival guide on TasteofBuffalo.com."
Hackett also offered advice if the weather gets too uncomfortable.
"We also have ten "William Mattar Shade Zone" tents throughout the event. So you can find those, where they're located, and grab your food and go under that tent for a little bit."
The Taste of Buffalo runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Delaware Avenue,
from Chippewa Street to Niagara Square. There is no charge for admission.
