Taste of Buffalo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taste of Buffalo |
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Niagara Square during Taste of Buffalo 2008
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| Date(s) | 10–11 July 2021 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Niagara Square |
| Years active | 41 |
| Inaugurated | 1984 |
| Attendance | 450,000/yr |
The Taste of Buffalo is the biggest yearly two-day food festival in the United States. This exciting event takes place right in the heart of Downtown Buffalo, New York. You can find it along Delaware Avenue, stretching from Niagara Square (near City Hall) to Chippewa Street. The festival features many restaurants and food trucks from the Buffalo area and other cities in Western New York. Some national sponsors also join in the fun. The main goal of the Taste of Buffalo is to offer a fun and affordable weekend festival for families. It also aims to improve life in the Niagara Frontier and promote downtown Buffalo.
History of the Taste of Buffalo
This special event started in 1984. It is run by a non-profit group, meaning they don't aim to make money for themselves. By 2014, nearly 450,000 people visited the festival each year. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed to help run everything smoothly.
The festival has raised over $360,000 for different charities. It also gives out five $1,000 scholarships every year. These scholarships help local high school students who want to study cooking or hospitality. The 30th annual Taste of Buffalo happened on July 13 and 14, 2013. In 2018, the festival celebrated its 35th birthday! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held online in 2020.
What to See and Eat at the Festival
During the festival, there are usually two or three stages. These stages offer continuous musical entertainment for everyone to enjoy. There's also a special Culinary Stage. Here, chefs show off their cooking skills with live demonstrations.
More than 50 local restaurants and wineries take part in the festival. Local and national sponsors also offer free samples of their products. They often have interactive displays where you can learn more. Most restaurants are from the Buffalo area. However, some come from nearby cities like Rochester and Batavia.
You can find many different kinds of food at the Taste of Buffalo. Of course, you'll see Buffalo specialties like beef on weck and buffalo wings. Other popular dishes often served include chicken and waffles, prime rib, and hot dogs. There are also many vegetarian options available.
In the past, the festival has featured foods from all over the world. Some examples include sponge candy, chicken tikka masala, bisque, pierogies, shrimp nachos, watermelon gazpacho, Pad thai, Jamaican patties, and rice pudding. For the festival's 35th anniversary, a special beer was even brewed and served!
See also
- Festivals in Buffalo, New York
- National Buffalo Wing Festival
