BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Tickets for the 2021 Taste of Buffalo went on sale Friday. Judging by the popularity of the event from previous years, limited tickets for the event may be snapped up quickly.
Admission tickets to the Taste must be purchased in advance. There will be no walk-up tickets sold. "That's one of the biggest changes that Taste goers will experience," said Taste of Buffalo chair Amber. "You do need to buy a ticket in advance."
For the first time, this year's Taste will have three gates to enter and exit. Gate A will be located on Delaware Avenue at Huron Street; Gate B will be located at Court Street and Franklin Street and Gate C will be located at Delaware Avenue and West Eagle Street. Gates will open 30 minutes prior to the start of each session.
The perimeter of the festival will be closed and monitored by security and guests will be given wristbands upon arrival that are specific to each session. Guests may purchase tickets to multiple sessions. All guests will be asked to exit the festival at the end of each session.
There will be four sessions during the festival. The first one is a Tops Markets Session on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of admission to the Tops Markets Session will be $20 and includes $15 in food and beverage tickets, a $5 bonus. Tickets for the Tops Markets Session are only available at the registers at Tops stores.
The other three sessions – 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The $20 ticket admits one and includes $10 in food and beverage tickets. Tickets are available HERE. Guests will have the option to purchase additional food tickets online at the time they purchase their admission ticket. A minimum of one admission ticket must be purchased in order to purchase additional food tickets online. Guests will receive their food tickets when redeeming their admission ticket at the gate. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase additional food tickets at the ticket tent inside the festival during all four sessions.
"We have the ability to allow about five thousand patrons for each session," said Hartman. Large venues in New York State are still operating under capacity restrictions in New York State. Twenty thousand people over two days is a far cry from the 450-thousand that have packed the festival in previous years.
"We knew going into this that there would be restrictions that we needed to follow. We've been working closely with state and local officials to make sure we are able to provide a safe experience for our guests. But we would be able to pivot if restrictions are lifted before the event." Hartman said they would put more tickets up for sale if permitted.
The footprint for the Taste has changed slightly this year. It will take place throughout Niagara Square and extend along Delaware Avenue to Huron. In the past, the festival continued further down Delaware to beyond Chippewa Street.
Fully vaccinated guests will not need to wear a mask. Non-vaccinated gurets will be asked to wear a mask except when eating or drinking. Proof will not be required at the time of arrival. Guests will be asked to complete a health survey form 24 hours before arriving. They will receive a link with their admission ticket.
