Buffalo Rising Online

May 24th, 6:37pm By Serina Richards

It was sunny, crisp and a very lively family event as nearly 300 people meandered around the beautifully landscaped area of Delaware park near the Parkside Lodge. We all celebrated the beginning of the uh, warm season. Warm? Well not quite, but we stayed comfortable since the activities of the picnic were both inside and outside of Parkside Lodge.

There was of course yummy picnic food like hot dogs, chips and soda, but other attractions as live music, lawn bowling demonstrations and a special children's section added to the festive feel. There was story telling in the tented children's area where all who joined in on the story became a prince or a princess. I think I even saw a "little one" turn into a frog. That was before I sampled the Flying Bison Brewing Co. cold beer and tasted the smoky, fruity, yet dry Barefoot Wine Red Zinfandel.

Music was provided by Strings 'n' Things, Judd Sunshine Duo, Buffalo City Strings and 1180. They all performed on an open air stage.

Songs like, one of my favorites, "The Unicorn Song" created a sing-along-atmosphere where the kids danced, played and donned the animal like masks they also made earlier during one of the children's activities.

The last band called the 1180's was comprised of mostly Canisius High School graduates as:

Jeremy Blas-on lead guitar and keyboard, Kevin McGrath-Bass, Brian Deinhard-Sax

Jack Murphy-Drums and DJ Smith-Lead vocals.

Those teenagers can rock! No wonder Jeremy will be attending the Berkley School of music in the fall and DJ recently tried out for American Idol. Let's hope he gets on the show so he can come back a celebrity and perform at the next picnic.

On a more serious note, visitors could also enjoy viewing historic photos of the park and details about the Olmsted Park System's Plan for the 21st Century which is a blueprint for the future.

The future is looking brighter with the gracious support of sponsors like the Parkside Community Association, Buffalo Common Council member Michael J. LoCurto, and The Rupp Foundation. Additional support was from WNY Family Magazine and Sahlen's Hotdogs.

I am hopeful we will see more of these kinds of fun, family events in the very near future.. The Conservancy's goal is to host a "Picnic in the Park" in a different Olmsted Park each year to encourage the local communities to enjoy themselves and learn more about this incredible community asset. It was suggested, "why wait and host a picnic every 1st Friday of the month?"

There was a nominal donation/admission of $3 for kids and $8 for adults. Family-of-four packs were available for $20. Ticket purchase included admission to the picnic, plus one hotdog and one beverage per ticket. Additional items could be purchased with $1 tickets for beer, wine and snacks.

Delaware Park is the first of six parks, eight parkways, nine connecting circles and seven smaller spaces that were designed in the late 1800's by America's premier landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, as part of the nation's first system of parks and parkways. Proceeds from Picnic in the Park benefit Buffalo's historic Olmsted System.

For more information on any of the Buffalo Olmsted Park events and activities, call the Conservancy at (716) 838-1249 ext. 30 or go to: www.BuffaloOlmstedParks.org.