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WNY Insider for August 28th
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WNY Insider for August 28th
WNY Insider for August 28th
Seth Greene

Seth Greene

Aug 28, 2026

The News, Eats & Events Shaping Western New York

The Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival returns to Buffalo, NY this weekend, bringing locals and visitors together to honor the city’s iconic dish.

 

Marking its 25th anniversary, the festival takes over Sahlen Field slightly earlier this year, making room for the busy baseball schedule.

 

Excitement brews with the addition of chicken nuggets, especially popular among families and those seeking a neater option.

 

Festival-goers will also witness the debut of a jumbo chicken wing from Perdue Farms and the crowd-pleasing buffalo wing mac and cheese.

 

This year’s lineup boasts 57 unique sauce varieties, from fiery hot to sweet and tangy, ensuring something for every palate.

 

The launch of the Buffalo Wing Hall of Flame adds a new tradition, spotlighting local legends and wing innovators.

 

Proceeds benefit local charities, highlighting Buffalo’s spirit and pride in its world-famous wings.


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Buffalo’s beloved water lantern festival is set to illuminate Delaware Park once again, inviting residents to experience an evening filled with wonder and community connection.

 

Attendees of all ages are encouraged to personalize floating lanterns with heartfelt messages of hope, remembrance, and aspiration, creating a luminous display over Hoyt Lake as the sun sets.

 

This year’s “Radiant” theme inspires guests to embrace meaningful interactions and slow down for a moment of reflection and togetherness.

 

Families and friends come together for music, interactive games, and bites from local food vendors, all in the festival’s uniquely warm atmosphere.

 

Lantern Stories offers a meaningful way to honor loved ones and celebrate shared memories before sending glowing hopes adrift.

 

Organizers prioritize sustainability, with cleanup crews ensuring Delaware Park’s natural beauty is maintained.

 

The water lantern festival continues to unite Buffalo’s neighborhoods, making it a treasured tradition and highlight of the city’s vibrant event calendar.


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The Lewiston Jazz Festival lights up Western New York this weekend, with Buffalo’s own Paul Mariano making a highly anticipated return after a decade away.

 

Mariano, who hasn’t played locally since 2016, will headline Friday night, blending his signature saxophone style with new tracks from his acclaimed album “Mood Ellington.”

 

Fans can also expect soulful tributes to his late father and classic Italian favorites, deepening the hometown connection.

 

This festival, a cornerstone of the region’s summer scene, showcases top jazz acts alongside local food and fresh craft vendors.

 

Downtown Lewiston shops are embracing the excitement, staying open late while restaurants craft special menus for jazz lovers.

 

The buzz around Mariano’s homecoming unites aspiring musicians, long-time fans, and families eager for a night of live melody and small-town spirit.


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☀️See You in Spring: 10 WNY Spots to Visit Before They Close

🍦 The Yard Ice Cream
📍 33 Spann St., Buffalo
📄 Details: This Kaisertown neighborhood favorite is open May through October, making it a quintessential summer stop before the season winds down.

 

🍦 Uncle G's Ice Cream
📍 7030 Washington St., Pendleton
📄 Details: The ice cream shop is open daily through October 12, while its kitchen has already closed for the season. It's right along the Erie Canalway Trail, making it an especially good late-summer stop.

 

🌭 Taffy's Hot Dog Stand
📍 3261 Orchard Park Rd., Orchard Park
📄 Details: A classic Orchard Park summer stand serving hot dogs, picnic food and milkshakes. Taffy's is specifically described as a summertime favorite that closes during winter.

 

🍦 Green Acres Ice Cream
📍 4357 Broadway, Depew
📄 Details: Green Acres is currently operating for its 2026 season, with fall hours beginning September 7. Its ice cream and outdoor attractions are weather-dependent, making the remaining warm-weather weeks especially worth taking advantage of.

 

🍨 Nick Charlap's Ice Cream — Seasonal Locations
📍 Angola, Kenmore & Hamburg
📄 Details: Charlap's Angola, Kenmore and Hamburg stands are seasonal outdoor locations, unlike the Boston location, which operates much later into the year.

 

🍦 Scarlet's Peace Love & Ice Cream
📍 329 Erie St., Buffalo
📄 Details: This waterfront ice cream stand at Harbor Walk is back for the 2026 season. It's part of Buffalo's summer waterfront scene alongside Sully's and Harbor Walk's other seasonal businesses.

 

🚤 Miss Buffalo Harbor Cruises
📍 Buffalo Waterfront
📄 Details: Buffalo's original two-hour harbor cruises are currently running, with multiple cruise options appearing on the current Visit Buffalo calendar. It's one of the easiest ways to get out on the water while summer is still here.

 

Spirit of Buffalo
📍 Buffalo Waterfront
📄 Details: The 73-foot topsail schooner is currently offering day sails, evening sails, sunset experiences and specialty cruises. The sailing experience is inherently seasonal, making it a particularly fitting late-summer activity.

 

🦴 Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
📍 4050 North St., Blasdell
📄 Details: Penn Dixie is open Wednesday–Sunday through September 7, then switches to weekends before closing for the season on Sunday, September 27. Visitors can dig for fossils and explore the former quarry.

 

🌻 Sunflowers of Sanborn
📍 3311 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn
📄 Details: The 2026 sunflower season runs through Labor Day, followed by select weekends while the flowers remain in bloom. Visitors can explore the sunflower trail, pick flowers, tackle the corn maze, take wagon rides and grab food on-site.

Stay connected to Western New York with just a few spare minutes! Don’t miss the WNY Insider Podcast. This is your spot for the best local spots, eats, experts & more...all in quick, easy listens!

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