The 24 Hours in Buffalo Series is sponsored by Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
24 Hours in Buffalo is a monthly series we’ve launched to give our readers the rundown on places to explore and things to do in the coming month – whether you’re here for a quick visit and are hoping to squeeze in a mini adventure or two, or you’re a local looking for ideas on where to take your out-of-town guests, or you’re simply stumped on what to do with an upcoming free weekend. Each month will be a little different, but look for features on a variety of urban adventures – from history tours, to arts exhibits, places to grab a bite, festivals, and more.
FEATURED: The Great Pumpkin Farm
When it comes to fall, there’s no better place to celebrate the season than right here in Western New York. To get your fix of all things “Fall” check out Check out the Great Pumpkin Farm. From corn mazes to donuts & cider, the Great Pumpkin Farm’s annual Fall Festival has it all!
One of the Top 10 U.S. Pumpkin Patches” – TravelChannel.com
Launched in 1996 as a way of celebrating the local harvest, The Great Pumpkin Farm hosted the World Pumpkin Weigh-of and ended up in the Guinness World Book of Records for the first 1,000-pound pumpkin! This year, was another record breaking “World Pumpkin Weigh-Off” where Karl Haist of Clarence Center, NY took 1st Place & broke the New York State record with his 2,027 lb. pumpkin. Karl won a $2,500 cash prize PLUS a $1,000 bonus for growing a pumpkin weighing more than 2,000 lbs.
Each year the Festival grows to include more signature events, rides, attractions, and has become one of Western New York’s most beloved fall traditions – an annual “must-see” destination for thousands of families.
The Great Pumpkin Farm’s Fall Festival is all about wholesome fun, great food and enjoying everything the season has to offer. Head out to The Great Pumpkin Farm to get your pumpkins, mums, and cornstalks! Enjoy the rides, events, attractions, and shows, as well as enjoy delicious warm donuts along with a glass of fresh cider OR stop in for a special Halloween drink at the Witches Brew Bar & Café.
It’s also a great place to take photos of the little ones or find that special Halloween decoration in the Pumpkin Palace.
Here’s a list of The Great Pumpkin Farm’s upcoming events:
October 6, 7 & 8
This weekend features the Pumpkin Olympics, the Annual Pumpkin Drop & In Jest Juggling & Comedy!
- Pumpkin Olympics will run all 3 days with events running every hour. Olympic style medals will be awarded!
- Monday, October 8 – Columbus Day features the Annual Pumpkin Drop at Noon – be a contestant or just be there to see a 1000lb
pumpkin drop and smash from 100 ft in the air! Go to www.97Rock.com for registration.
October 13 & 14
This weekend features the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition, PIG Races & Zombies in the Cornmaze!
- Oct. 13 – Be a contestant in the Amateur Pie Eating Competition. PIG Races will run 5 shows throughout the day.
- Oct. 14 – Watch professional eaters as they go for a new world record OR be a contestant. PIG Races will run 5 shows throughout
each day. - Funny Face Drawing Contest will run both days in our event building. Prizes awarded to the funniest pumpkin faces drawn by ages 3
to 14. - Zombies will be roaming in the cornmaze from Noon to 4pm both Saturday & Sunday!
October 20 & 21
This weekend features the Trebuchet (catapult) contest. Local high schools will compete for distance – catapulting pumpkins up to 500 feet!
- Watch practice shots on Saturday and competition on Sunday. Support your local High School!
- “DINOSAURS in the Cornmaze” from Noon to 4pm both days – will you run into 1 of them?
- In Jest Juggling & Comedy show will be here with 2 shows a day @ 1:30 and 3:00.
October 27 & 28
Final Weekend. Admission Applies. All attractions will be running! Costume Contest will be held both days!
- Ages 0 to 6 & 7 to 16 at 1:30, Ages 17 & Up at 4pm – Prize $ for unique costumes!
- “DINOSAURS in the Cornmaze” from Noon to 4pm both days – will you run into 1 of them?
The Great Pumpkin Farm | Open now thru October 31 | 11199 Main Street | Clarence, NY
(716) 759-1929 | Website | Facebook
Click here for admission and pricing details.
FEATURED EVENTS
Little Shop of Horrors at O’Connell & Company
Directed and Choreographed by Joey Bucheker; Musical Direction by Donald Jenczka
October 4-28, & 31
Tickets: $30 (discounts available)
Box Office: 848-0800 or purchase tickets online at www.oconnellandcompany.com
Website | Facebook
This horticultural horror will have you screaming with laughter.” – New York Post
Feed the need for musical hilarity with this delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. Little Shop of Horrors, winner of both the Drama Critics Circle Award and The Drama Desk Award, is a perfect blend of Broadway musical magic and edgy satire. (The show contains some mature language and subject matter.)
Come in costume to any performance and receive a voucher for $5 off your next ticket purchase. (General Admission tickets only. Must be redeemed for a 2018-2019 Main Stage production.)
https://www.facebook.com/OConnellandCompany/videos/2077067538991871/
Honey Harvest Festival presented by Masterson’s Garden Center
October 6 & 7
725 Olean Rd. East Aurora, NY
Website | Facebook
Have you ever wondered how honey goes from the beehive into the jar? Do you just love the taste of fresh, raw honey?
Join local beekeepers and vendors at Masterson’s Honey Harvest Festival to enjoy all things honey! The festival includes many live demonstrations, free seminars, family activities, and everyone’s favorite, the Honey Tasting Contest. Chat with local beekeepers about beekeeping, and honey harvesting or watch demonstrations on how to render beeswax or make lip balm. Masterson’s will also be offering their popular Beekeeping 101 class for free during the festival. Visitors will also have opportunities to learn how they can help bees right in their own backyards at information booths, gardening seminars, or gain inspiration with a stroll through Masterson’s nursery yard, which is a certified wildlife habitat.
Sugar City’s 10 Year Anniversary Party
Friday, October 12 | 7:00 p.m.
After-Party at Milkie’s on Elmwood starts at 10:30 p.m.
1239 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY
$10 admission // All-Ages // No ID required
Website | Facebook
Sugar City, Buffalo’s beloved DIY arts collective, is celebrating ten years of hosting/promoting the indie music scene, the arts, countless DIY activities, festivals, workshops, etc. Looking back at Sugar City over the years, we’ve seen the arts collective get its start in Allentown, before heading over to Niagara Street to join the resurgence in that neck of the woods. The move allowed Sugar City to expand its offerings, which include everything from its heralded Zine Fair to the ever-delightful Fun-A-Day event. It’s hard to think where Buffalo would be, culturally speaking, without Sugar City. Event will feature:
- CALVIN JOHNSON, Indie Icon and K Records master mind returns once again to celebrate the sweetness of Sugar City!
- CURTIS LOVELL , A power voice + a looper= Awesomeness
- TOO REAL, Buffalo Indie pop
- PARTY’S OVER, Stalwarts of Queen City Music Lottery #5
(After-party is 21+ up)
CIDER FEST 2018 @ The Terrace in Delaware Park
Saturday, October 13 | Noon – 5:00 p.m.
199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo, NY
Website | Facebook
Two tiers of tastings available:
Tier 1 Tasting: Signature Cider Tasting glass; 7 tasting tokens – $15
Tier 2 Tasting: Signature Cider Tasting glass; 15 tasting tokens – $25
One Ticket = One 3oz Pour | More tokens available for purchase onsite
Join The Terrace in Delaware Park for a celebration of ciders with amazing local and visiting cideries, featuring top notch hard ciders, vendors from Buffalo’s farmers market, fresh baked goods, house made sausages, and family friendly atmosphere… this is the perfect festival to get into the Fall spirit! Featuring: Argus Cidery (Austin, Texas); B. Nektar Meadery (Ferndale, Michigan); BlackBird Cider Works (Barker, New York); Cider Creek Hard Cider (Canisteo, New York); Embark Craft Ciderworks (Williamson, New York); Nine Pin Cider (Albany, New York)
The Witches Ball presented by Buffalo Rising
Saturday, October 27 | 7:00 p.m. to 1 a.m.
@ Statler City, Buffalo, NY
Website | Facebook
General Admission $40 | VIP $120
This year, the Witches Ball is dedicated to the Legends of Rock ’n Roll. Let the 2018 Witches Ball take you on a Scareway to Heaven featuring music from legends like Hell-vis Presley, Janis Goblin, George Scareison, and Grave-id Bowie. Become Buffalo famous, by posing for our photographers in front of the step n’ repeat, or walk the black carpet which will automatically enter you into our virtual costume contest. New this year, is a green screen photo booth, where you and your guests can act out your wildest dreams of super stardom! Our fabulous Queens of Dragdom will once again werq the stage to bring some of the world’s most beloved rock stars to life. Walk “The Sunset Strip” featuring The MaddTat2 716 Sideshow to satisfy the freak in you. Wander to the lower level, formerly Club Rendezvous, and be transported to the infamous Viper Room (REDUX).
To learn more, visit witchesballbuffalo.com for a complete list of announced acts. This epic event will once again feature dozens of local artists, psychics, musicians, DJs, and performers. VIP tickets include four hours of open bar and hors d’oeuvres, balcony views of the even courtyard, as well as exclusive VIP area acts and performances.
PLUS, FREE SLOT TOURNAMENT EVERY FRIDAY IN OCTOBER
@ Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
2PM – 8PM | FINALE AT 8:15PM
1 Fulton St, Buffalo, NY
(877) 873-6322
Website | Facebook
Join, if you dare! The top 5 daily scorers and 5 wildcards compete weekly.
Plus, hourly winners get $25 Free Slot Play!
Top 10 Finale Winners Receive:
1st Place – $3,000 Cash
2nd Place – $700 Free Slot Play
3rd Place – $500 Free Slot Play
4th Place – $200 Free Slot Play
5th – 10th Place – $100 Free Slot Play
Disclaimer: Redeemable only at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, Must be 21+ years of age with Valid, government-issued photo ID and Social Club Card required. Seneca Gaming Corporation reserves the right to modify, cancel or revoke this offer without notice. Other terms and restrictions apply.
At Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino choose from a delicious array of Buffalo restaurants ranging from a decadent steakhouse to places for your inner sports fan. You’ll want to try them all! If you enjoy seafood, steaks, or just mouthwatering meals in general, nothing comes close to Phillips WD Bar & Grille. With panoramic views from the dining room and patio, plus the best crab cakes in Buffalo, it’s worth taking the time to enjoy this brand-new restaurant.
Enjoy daily specials like Thursday date nights for $39 a person, picture-worthy Sunday Brunch specials from 10 AM – 2 PM, and a $25 game night special before every hometown game. Plus, through the entire month of October get a 6oz Filet Mignon, one crab cake and a choice of a side for only $39.
To check out the full menu, head over to our website.
PLUS, Hockey fans, look no further! Watch your favorite team from the best seats in the house at Stixx Sports Bar and B-Lo Bar. Don’t miss $4 craft drafts at B-Lo Bar and $15 buckets of Labatt Blue at Stixx Sports Bar after any Sabres game until midnight. You can catch the postgame action on big screen TVs!