Last night, downtown Buffalo witnessed an historic moment at the Erie Canal Harbor when it presented its first ever “Official” City of Buffalo fireworks bash there. Thousands of people spent the day watching live bands rock the pier as people made their way in and out of the maze of paths and canal era ruins.
Buffalo Place arranged for live music on the new pier throughout the day with music from Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble, Boys of Summer, Rod Nickson Project, Jackdaw (seen below) and Buffalo Trivia with Dennis George. Activities were scheduled during the day for the kids. Boaters took advantage of the re-watered Commercial Slip to watch all of the activities. The Erie County Sheriff’s Department made an appearance with their Marine Unit to ensure everyone’s safety.
Once the fireworks started someone asked when they were going to kill the house lights, saying it would have been nice to snuff the street lamps so the fireworks could be enjoyed without the ambient lighting, which there is plenty of in this newly developed and public friendly site. Still, it was a great display that started with Springsteen's Born in the USA and went for a good half hour.
This was the first time most people, stretched from the wharf all the way down to the tip of the Erie Basin Marina, had seen the harbor at all let alone all lit up at night. It was an amazing scene, especially seeing the Whipple Truss wearing its creative lighting. Traffic was brisk all day culminating in fireworks over the Buffalo River at about 10:20PM. It was truly an historic moment for the City of Buffalo. I can only see next year’s 4th of July bash even larger hopefully with a whole new cadre of historic buildings and venues.
Many people remarked that the slip was great and they'd be back just to hang out. Truly, it's a subway ride down to a haven of grass and plank patio and a delicious breeze off of the water. For picnicking, touring or reading a book, I think the wharf made a lot of believers last night. People who joined in the masses are going to want to come back and enjoy it on their own in less of a crowd because, face it, it's their waterfront property.
