BUFFALO (WBEN) - This Sunday will mark the first of a series of "Buffalo Bills Block Parties" along Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo, as the Bills are set to visit the Miami Dolphins.
"Last season's 'Playoffs on the Patio' on Chippewa Street was a big hit with Bills fans and great for the businesses along Chippewa Street," said Mayor Byron Brown Wednesday. "My administration worked with Chippewa Events to approve special events permits for a series of four 'Buffalo Bills Block Parties.'"
The dates for the parties include (note: they are all away games):
-Sunday, Sept 19 vs. MIA
-Sunday, Oct 10 vs. KC
-Sunday, Nov 14 vs. NYJ
-Sunday, Dec 26 vs. NE
Rec Room owner Chris Ring helped organize the 'Playoffs on the Patio' for last season's deep postseason run, and he said these parties will help bring some money to the district as businesses try to rebound from the pandemic.
"Now that all our neighbors have reopened post-COVID, we wanted to do something that can help generate some revenue, bring some business down here during some off-hours, so we thought what better an event to do than a big Bills party, especially for the away games when a bunch of the local Bills fans are looking for something to do to cheer on the Bills," said Ring. "We're basically taking off the success of last year's 'Playoffs on the Patio.'"
The parties will feature two LED video walls, a live DJ for commercial breaks, a live halftime show, as well as food and beverage specials from Labatts and Bocce Pizza.
"Hopefully this is the first of many," said Jay Manno of Soho. "We got four on the calendar right now, and hopefully we get this into the playoffs, and with any kind of luck, maybe we do this for hockey in the spring."
Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. for this Sunday's game, but street closures will begin at 8 a.m. Standing room general admission tickets cost $10 and tables of 10 can be reserved for $250. Tickets can be purchased here or in-person at the gate.
