Buffalo, N.Y. — BUFFALO, NY- The Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival kicked off Thursday and runs through Sunday. This is the second year that the festival is being held at Buffalo's Outer Harbor after many years along Hertel Avenue.
Many of the traditional vendors and attractions are back, but there are new features too!
The 2018 Italian Fest features 13 new vendors. There is a piazza that runs all the way down the center of the festival. There you will find covered tables and chairs to enjoy all the cuisine out of the beating sun.
There were fireworks Friday night and there will be performances throughout the weekend from acts like Angelo Venuto, to Sal Valetinetti from America's Got Talent.
"Change is hard," festival spokesman Marco Sciortino said of this second year at Outer Harbor. "Nobody likes change and we have to thank the people of North Buffalo just for giving us the opportunity to be there for so many years. It was a great experience but we out-grew the space and coming down to the Outer Harbor, it's given us the opportunity to do so many things like the piazza, like the fireworks. We have a whole new entertainment director bringing in all new Italian entertainment."
If you are heading to the festival from Downtown and you are taking the Skyway, take the second exit at Tifft Street.
Your other option from Downtown is to use Ohio Street where detour signs will guide you.
Either way, you will take Fuhrmann Boulevard south and follow the signs directing you to the festival and free parking.
The festival continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and wraps up Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.