Western New York Happenings: Independence Weekend

The upcoming weekend is full of festivals, music, and fireworks - here's a guide to many of the activities taking place in the Western New York area this Independence weekend.

If you're staying in the Buffalo area:

• Friendship Festival - Thursday, July 1st through Monday, July 5th at Riverside Park in Buffalo and Mather Arch in Ft. Erie, Ontario, Canada. Features daily craft show, vendors, demonstrations, entertainment, and fireworks. Visit www.friendshipfestival.com for more information.
• Lancaster Independence Days - Friday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 4th in the Save-A-Lot parking lot, 10 Aurora St. Features rides, music, food, parade (Sunday at 2 p.m.), and fireworks (Sunday at 10 p.m.). Friday 1 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; visit www.lancastervillage.org for complete details.
• Erie Canal Harbor Wharf Fourth of July Celebration - Sunday, July 4th from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Harbor Wharf. Features children's activities, entertainment, food, and fireworks (no coolers, outside food or beverages, please). Visit www.buffalowaterfront.com for more information.

Area fireworks displays:

July 1st
*Ft. Erie, Mather Arch (Friendship Festival) - 10 p.m.

July 2nd
*Akron - Town Park - 10 p.m.
*Albion - Bullard Park - 9:45 p.m.
*Batavia - Dwyer Stadium - after baseball game

July 3rd
*Allegany - State Park/Quaker Beach - dusk
*Batavia - Dwyer Stadium - after baseball game
*Buffalo - Coca Cola Field - after baseball game
*Buffalo - Riverside Park (Friendship Festival) - dusk
*Clarence - Town Park - dusk
*Concord - Community Park - dusk
*East Aurora - Hamlin Park - 9:30 p.m.
*Ellicottville - Holiday Valley Ski Resort - dusk
*Evans/Angola-on-the-Lake - Point Breeze - dusk
*Lakewood - Hartley Park - dusk
*Mayville - Lakeside Park - 10 p.m.
*Newfane - Krull Park - dusk
*Newstead - Newstead Park - 10 p.m.
*Niagara Falls - Seneca Niagara Casino - dusk
*Silver Creek - George Borello Beach Park - dusk
*Town of Evans - Lake Erie Beach Park - dusk
*Varysburg - Buffalo Hill Village - after concert

July 4th
*Amherst - UB North Campus - 10 p.m.
*Buffalo - Riverside Park (Friendship Festival) - dusk
*Cheektowaga - Town Park - dusk
*Darien Center - Darien Lake Amusement Park - 10 p.m.
*Dunkirk - Harbor - dusk
*Elma - Boys and Girls Club, Girdle Rd. - 10 p.m.
*Grand Island - Martin's Fantasy Island - dusk
*Lancaster - Save-A-Lot, 10 Aurora St. - 10 p.m.
*Lewiston - Seneca and S. Eighth Sts. - dusk
*Little Valley - Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds Grandstand - dusk
*Lockport - Outwater Park - dusk
*Middleport - Royalton Ravine, Gasport Rd. - 10 p.m.
*Niagara Falls, Ontario - Queen Victoria Park - 10 p.m.
*North Tonawanda/Tonawanda - Niawanda Park - dusk
*Olean - Bradner's Stadium - dusk
*Orchard Park - Middle School - dusk
*Pendleton - Town Park - dusk
*Sardinia - Town Park - dusk

*****All dates and times subject to change and the weather*****