Here is an event that I won't be missing this year. It's the Buffalo River Fest and it's coming up Friday June 23rd and Saturday June 24th. This is the 6th year that the Valley Community Association has put on this festival and each year there are more reasons to attend. This year there will be a classic car show which should prove to be a good one considering the number of collectors in the area. A river regatta will also be held. There are plenty of activities for the kids, including a fishing contest.
The two day event will feature live music, a craft show, and a waterfront photo and memorabilia display. There is even a neighborhood reunion planned that weekend along with a chicken dinner, a slo-pitch softball tournament and a grounbreaking ceremony for the future Buffalo River Fest Park on Ohio Street. The event is held at Father Conway Park, 100 Louisiana Street, located near the junction of Louisiana Street and Ohio Street. See below for details on the regatta, times, bands, and sponsors.
The 6th Annual Valley Community Associationis Buffalo River Fest Rigidized Metals River Regatta will be held on Saturday, June 24th, 2006 with an 11am start time. The Regatta will have three classes of contestants - canoe, kayak, and 'float your boat'. The cost is $20 per person and includes a commemorative t-shirt. .
Canoes and Kayaks will be starting from Clinton Street and Harlem Road - the very beginning of the Buffalo River and the 'float your boats' and non-competitive canoes and kayaks will be starting from the Smith Street Pocket Park located at the foot of Smith Street. Check in will begin at 10am at the launch points. All classes will end at the Ohio Street Canoe Launch located on Ohio Street, directly across from Father Conway Park. A shuttle service for participants will be available.
Viewing of the regatta will be available at the Smith Street Pocket Park at the foot of Smith Street, the foot of Hamburg Street at South Street, and from the Ohio Street Water Bridge near the regatta finish.
Applications for those wishing to participate can be obtained by calling 823-4707 ext.4 or downloaded at http://www.rigidized.com/. Completed applications and checks made payable to the Valley Community Association should be mailed to Rigidized Metals Corp., c/o Patti, 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, New York 14203. Proceeds from the event benefit the Valley Community Association n a non-profit United Way agency.
The Rigidized Metals River Regatta is part of the larger Buffalo River Fest, which will be taking place on Friday and Saturday, June 23rd and 24th in Father Conway Park, located between Ohio & Louisiana Streets in downtown Buffalo, just south of HSBC Arena. The event will run from 6pm to Midnight on Friday and from 10am to Midnight on Saturday and will feature events for the entire family including the Gerdau Ameristeel Kids Area, classic car show hosted by the Lakeside Classic Cruisers, slo-pitch softball tournament, Buffalo River Fest Idol competition, kids fishing contest, waterfront photo and memorabilia exhibit, reunion, chicken dinner, food and beverages and more!! There will be live entertainment throughout the event with Only Humen headlining on Friday night and The Legendary Dukes headlining Saturday night. In addition Bill LaRusch, Mixed Solutions, and Ian Fein will be performing.
There will also be a special groundbreaking ceremony for the future Buffalo River Fest Park on Ohio Street on Friday, June 23rd at 6pm. A reception, sponsored by The Steer Restaurant & Saloon, will follow the ceremony and will feature music, food, and refreshments and will take place until 7:30pm.
For more information on any of the Buffalo River Fest activities, call 823-4707 ext.2 or 4.