Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Summer in Western New York brings about festival season across the entire region. A number of events are set to take place over the next several weeks, and there are hopes of more visitors from out-of-town flooding the area this summer.
Rita Lippman of the Allentown Village Society says she's excited for next week's Allentown Art Festival.
"It's our 68th year, and we're just delighted to be able to bring artists and people together," said Lippman in an interview with WBEN.
Lippman says organizers have made the show more interactive over the years.
"We have Corning Glass coming, they were here last year, and they do glass blowing, make little animals. It's just fascinating to watch this process," Lippman said. "CEPA Gallery will be here, where children will be allowed to take photographs and see what a dark room looks like. We have an emerging artist program with the Hunt Gallery. We have demonstrations of pottery and jewelry, and also this year, which is brand new, St. Mary's School for the Deaf will be here."
Lippman adds students will be demonstrating American Sign Language artwork. They will be by the Wilcox Mansion.
Next month marks the return of CanalFest of the Tonawandas. Deb Darling says the event will start in North Tonawanda on July 13, and continue in Tonawanda on July 15 through the 20th.
"We have a great lumberjack show that's coming in this year, so we're working on the details of getting that scheduled. And our music lineup that's pretty well booked, and all of our activities, car crews, bike crews, craft show, chalk art," said Darling with WBEN.
Darling says CanalFest is always a great time of year not just for both cities along the Erie Canal.
"Summer's here, and now we're going to take advantage of all the great weather and the great things that are happening all over Western New York. And CanalFest is one of those big ones," Darling said.
She adds the parade on the 15th is the celebration of the Erie Canal's 200th anniversary.
While both are hoping visitors will patronize local businesses, Patrick Kaler of Visit Buffalo Niagara says he hopes there will be more visitors from out-of-town this year.
"Visit Buffalo Niagara, actually this year, is highlighting many of the festivals by inviting travel writers to come and experience them, to help spur travel for next year," said Kaler with WBEN.
That will include the Allentown Art Festival, Garden Walk, Borderland, the National Buffalo Wing Festival and Juneteenth.
Kaler says there has been an uptick in hotel occupancy during festival weekends.
"Word of mouth of those people who are coming from out-of-town to experience these festivals, and they're doing other things besides just attending the festival. They're going out to dinner, they're going to an attraction. They're doing other activities while they're here, and that just plays into what they tell their friends and families when they go home," Kaler added.
Festival season officially kicks off this weekend with the start of the Buffalo Greek Fest on Friday.