Seth Greene
Mar 2, 2026
The News, Eats & Events Shaping Western New York |
The Old First Ward is set to celebrate its 31st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026, starting at 11 a.m.
Parade-goers will wind through South Park Avenue, Smith Street, Elk Street, Hamburg Street, and South Street, bringing lively energy to the neighborhood.
After the parade, a traditional Irish hooley at the Valley Community Center offers food, drinks, and live music from noon to 4 p.m.
This year’s grand marshal, Wayne "Butch" Lickfeld, a lifelong Ward resident, will be honored at a Saturday night fundraiser.
Buffalo’s Irish celebration continues with highlights like the Amherst Gaelic League party on March 6 and the 48th annual Shamrock Run on March 7, featuring an 8k race and festive post-run brews.
Throughout March, the city’s Irish heritage shines, inviting everyone to join in, wear green, and celebrate lasting traditions and community spirit. Read More... |
New York State's vibrant culinary scene extends far beyond Manhattan, celebrating signature flavors rooted in local history and tradition.
Buffalo’s famous wings, born in the 1960s, draw food lovers to their birthplace for the real deal: crisp, saucy perfection, served with celery, blue cheese, and a side of city pride at the annual National Buffalo Wing Festival.
Rochester’s Garbage Plate is a flavorful rite of passage—hot dogs or burgers atop macaroni salad and fries, all blanketed in spicy meat sauce, capturing the city’s blue-collar roots.
Central New Yorkers cherish the bold, garlicky taste of Utica greens, while Western New York boasts beef on weck, a savory roast beef sandwich on salted kummelweck bread.
In Binghamton, marinated spiedies are grilled and stuffed in bread, honored each year in spirited festivals.
From North Country maple shacks to Hudson Valley farm-to-table feasts and the comforting diners of the Capital Region, each community offers truly distinctive delights. Read More... |
Western New York lawmakers are pushing for $250 million in state funding to modernize and expand Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport.
Despite Buffalo serving as upstate’s busiest airport, the region has been overlooked in earlier state infrastructure programs.
The proposed investment aims to boost local jobs, enhance airport facilities, and keep the region competitive in a global economy.
There’s strong bipartisan support, with officials emphasizing the vital economic role local airports play—supporting nearly 14,000 jobs and generating $139 million in taxes every year.
Recent federal grants, including $1.5 million for winter operations and $2.5 million for environmental upgrades, have improved Buffalo’s airport, but leaders argue state-level backing is essential for long-term growth.
The state budget deadline is April 1, heightening urgency for meaningful investment in these vital Western New York gateways. Read More... |
Fresh on the Scene: 14 Must-Try Spots around Buffalo |
Dimples Café
Ana Blu
Concord
Ronio’s Bistro
Ahar Restaurant
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
The ZamZam Indian Cuisine
Blue Eyed Baker All Day Café + Bar
Horn of Africa Habesha Restaurant
Latino Brothers
Forno e Mercato
Mira
Labyrinth Workshop
The Muffin Man of Buffalo
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