BUFFALO (WBEN) - The Taste of Buffalo announced Thursday that it has received all necessary approvals to hold an in-person festival on July 10 and 11 that accommodates expected Covid-19 health protocols.
To control crowd size, the Taste of Buffalo will not be allowed to have free general admission to the public. Instead, the event will be divided into timed sessions throughout the weekend and guests will be required to purchase an admission ticket online prior to the festival for one of the sessions.
Before being allowed into the festival, guests will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for Covid-19 within the previous 72 hours. Masks must be worn except when guests are eating or drinking, and the layout of tents in Niagara Square and Delaware Avenue will be altered to allow for increased social distancing.
Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein, who approved the festival's Covid-19 health and safety plan this week, thanked the Taste of Buffalo for its diligence in planning this year's event.
"The return of the Taste of Buffalo event is one more sign that our community is emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic," said Dr. Burstein. "We appreciate the care and attention that the Taste directors dedicated to the health considerations for this event. Our department is available to work with other organizations planning larger scale events this summer, to ensure they meet New York State guidelines."
The Taste of Buffalo is still finalizing details on how ticketing and admission will work and will share all the relevant information with the public in the coming weeks.
