Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Taste of Buffalo celebrates its 40th birthday this year, as the yearly event is set to return to Downtown Buffalo on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9.
The festivities for the 2023 Taste of Buffalo kicked off on Tuesday with the annual preview event held at the Tops Friendly Market on Elmwood Avenue. On-hand for Tuesday's celebration event were Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Tops President and CEO John Persons, representatives from FeedMore WNY and more.
The nation’s largest two-day food festival will be featuring culinary delights from 37 restaurants and food trucks, four New York State wineries, live music and more along Delaware Avenue starting at Chippewa Street and continuing into Niagara Square.
"While a lot has changed over the last 40 years, the mission of the Taste of Buffalo remains the same. Every July, the Taste brings the community together to celebrate our diverse foods and the city we love, to celebrate and promote our hard-working restaurateurs. This year is no exception," said Elizabeth Mamot, Chair of the 2023 Taste of Buffalo. "It's a milestone year for us, and we're ready to celebrate with the city that has supported us these past four decades. This is your official invitation to the Taste of Buffalo's 40th birthday party. We have so many fun things planned for you."
LISTEN LIVE TO WBEN:
The Taste of Buffalo officially kicks off its 40th birthday on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Tops Markets Stage, located on Delaware Avenue in Niagara Square with an '80s dance party, giveaways and free birthday cake compliments of Tops Markets Bakery, while it lasts. Join the “Happy Birthday” singalong with the Singing Cops and local '80s band Invisible Touch.
The birthday celebration continues with bands playing '80s music on the Tops Markets Stage all weekend. Snap a selfie with the 40 "Buf-flamingos" on the Federal courthouse lawn, and post it to social media using #TasteofBuffalo, and you could win a gift card from Tops Markets.
"The City of Buffalo is honored and thrilled to, again, be hosting the Taste of Buffalo in Downtown Buffalo. This is absolutely the best two-day food festival in the entire United States of America. We need this. We are looking forward to this," said Mayor Brown on Tuesday. "The Taste of Buffalo is one of those great events that brings Buffalo and Western New York together. It is a great time, great food, great fun, and it attracts people from all across the country. This year, we will celebrate the 40th year of the Taste of Buffalo. This will be a great anniversary, and a great time for everyone to enjoy this great event."
As a longtime supporter of FeedMore WNY, organizers from the Taste of Buffalo are encouraging festivalgoers to help celebrate the milestone by giving the gift of food to our neighbors in need. Each restaurant and winery will feature signage with a QR code to scan and donate.
FeedMore will also have its Farm Market truck on site Saturday on Delaware at Mohawk where you can learn about their fresh produce offerings along with other educational information about the organization.
A total of 10 restaurants will be participating in their first Taste of Buffalo, including A’mano Fresh Pasta Kitchen, Anchi A La Carte, Avenue29Foods, Days Park Tavern, Genevieve’s Cheesecakes, Golden Hour Treats, Kith & Kin Gluten Free Bakeshop & Bistro, La Casa De Sabores, Milk and Tea, and New Jewel of India.
Also new this year will be a festival guide that features a key designation of which menu items are gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian at all 37 participating restaurants and food trucks.
Saturday's festivities begin at 11 a.m. ET and run all the way through 9 p.m. ET. Festivities on Sunday also begin at 11 a.m. ET, and will go through 7 p.m. ET.
Admission to the Taste of Buffalo is free. Food and beverage tickets can be purchased at the three festival ticket tents in $6 sheets. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
Related
