Summer in Buffalo, NY: Free, Fun Activities

Buffalo, along with many other cities in America, is full of tradition when it comes to free summer fun. Annual events fill the days and nights to keep families occupied during those months off from school. There's no reason to be bored when you could fill your time with any one of these events.

Thursdays in the Square is a great way to enjoy a free concert. Entering its 21st year, Lafayette Square in Downtown Buffalo will get transformed into an outdoor concert series each Thursday from May 31st through September 1st. For four hours each Thursday you can enjoy bands and entertain with other Western New Yorkers. This year's list of entertainers will be released mid-May.

If you're more interested in local talent, check out WNED's guitar festival which will take place June 14th-18th. The talented guitarists in the area will show off their skills. A wide range of music will be performed.

The M&T Plaza Event Series is a good alternative for a weekday activity from June 4 to August 24th. The best musical and theatrical talent will fill the plaza. If you want entertainment during your lunch break or a break from other summer activities, check out Main near Division Streets.

One of the most prestigious art festivals will occupy Delaware Avenue on June 9th and 10th. Allentown Art Festival will be open from 11am to 6pm. More than 400 artists will occupy Buffalo's Allentown Art District. For more information, visit their website www.allentownartfestival.com

July 7th and 8th, Niagara Square will host the Taste of Buffalo, one of the nation's largest food and entertainment extravaganzas. More than 55 of the restaurants and wineries from the surrounding area will be featured at this event, along with other entertainment throughout the day.

M&T and Buffalo Place team up to bring you the annual Rock the Harbor event. The time and date have yet to be determined for this year, but this music festival features local talent with a national act ending it. A fireworks display ends the night. Past performers have been Hootie and the Blowfish, the Violent Femmes, and George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers.

Buffalo is known for their wings, and it's only fitting that the summer events essentially come to an end with the chicken wing festival. September 1st and 2nd, Dunn Tire Park plays host to this annual event. Whether you take part in the contests or just watch, make sure you are there.