Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Friday marks the start of summer festival season, beginning with the Buffalo Greek Fest. The season will eventually culminate in September with the Buffalo Wing Fest over Labor Day weekend.
Lou Pozantides of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Buffalo highly recommends Greek Fest to any newcomers.
"The reason why is because many of the festivals that we have here in Buffalo are family oriented. This is one festival that not only includes the entire family, but it has a variety of different areas that makes you feel that you are in Greece. From the dancers, to the music, to all the foods, desserts, anything you would see in Greece," said Pozantides in an interview with WBEN.
Pozantides says if you've ever seen the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", that's what it's like for Greek Fest.
Having Greek Fest as the first major festival of the summer is always exciting for Pozantides, because everyone knows when Greek Fest arrives, summer is officially here.
"We get a chance to see people coming out again, with their families, just having a good time relaxing, listening to the music, and just have the time spent together," Pozantides said.
Greek Fest is at Delaware and West Utica from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. ET on Sunday.
"The reason why to put it back to 8 p.m. is because so many people come out, they run out of food. So we decided this year, order extra food, but let's just be cautious and let's finish an hour earlier," Pozantides explained.
Fast forward all the way to Labor Day Weekend and the National Buffalo Wing Festival at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
The "Wing King", Drew Cerza says things are going great, and the energy is still there. At this point in time, everything with vendors is going according to plan.
"We're pretty much buttoned up for the most part. We call a restaurant signed up, we're always selling sponsorships, our marketing plan ready to go," said Cerza with WBEN.
Cerza has one new twist for this year's even, as famed competitive eater Joey Chestnut will attempt to break a world record by eating 100 hot peppers in less than one hour.
Last year's Wing Fest drew 23,000 people to Highmark Stadium.
