Buffalo Maritime Festival: A celebration of all things nautical

Three full days of events and activities at Canalside this weekend

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. invites the public to experience a celebration of all things that have made the Buffalo community a historic lakefront destination.

The Buffalo Maritime Festival at Canalside begins Friday at 3 p.m. with a boat parade and the arrival of the majestic U.S. Brig Niagara, which will serve as a centerpiece for three full days of events and activities that run through Sunday. Tug DeWitt Clinton and the Spirit of Buffalo, a U.S. Coast Guard Response Boat, plus dozens of other classic boats will join the brig.

Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment, educational and historic activities and displays, guided/interactive tours, children's activities, a costume contest, chowder competition, an artisans' market and delicious galley goodies from food trucks (with a focus on seafood). There will be a beer garden, kayak and row boat rentals and public sailaways.

"It is wonderful to see that the Buffalo Maritime Festival is becoming an annual autumn tradition, bringing people of all generations down to our remarkable waterfront to experience a great variety of activities, food, music and, of course, boats," said Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. Chairman Robert Gioia. "We are beginning to see Gov. Cuomo's vision for a vibrant waterfront expand to the Outer Harbor as the public planning process for that unique acreage moves forward. Buffalo is once again a port to be proud of, as it attracts visitors by land and water to enjoy all the city has to offer."

There is no general admission fee to the Buffalo Maritime Festival, and most activities are free to the public, including kids' activities, tours and music.

Public deck tours of the Brig Niagara will be available from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available to purchase dockside. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for children under age 12. Deck tours of the Tug DeWitt Clinton and Response Boat Medium are free.

For more information on the festival, including the schedule of events, directions and parking information for Canalside, visit www.buffalomaritimefestival.com.