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Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.: Galbani Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival relocating to Buffalo Outer Harbor

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Tue, Feb 7th 2017 07:30 pm

Buffalo's Outer Harbor welcomes festival to its new home July 13-16

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. (ECHDC), Outer Harbor Management Group, the City of Buffalo and the Italian Heritage Festival Association announced the relocation of the Galbani Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival from Hertel Avenue to Buffalo's Outer Harbor. The family-friendly festival, which celebrates 30 years of authentic food, lively music and entertaining cultural traditions, will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 13-16.

"Everyone looks forward to the Italian Fest each year," ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia said. "We are excited to bring the popular festival to the Outer Harbor, where the sights, sounds and delicious food will be enjoyed along with the beauty of the new waterfront location." 

"Galbani Cheese is proud to be the title sponsor of the Galbani Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival for yet another year and we're very excited about the move to this amazing, new location," said Jessica Ruth, spokesperson for Galbani Cheese. "We love being a part of this event, because it brings friends and family together to celebrate Italian food and culture. Now, we have the ideal space and location for even more people to join us in celebrating our Italian heritage."

"We welcome the Italian Heritage Festival Association to the Outer Harbor, a great venue on Buffalo's waterfront, offering beautiful summer sunsets," said Outer Harbor Management Group representative and President of Rich Baseball Operations Jon Dandes. "We are committed to a world-class experience working with our partners. Thank you to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and the Italian Heritage Festival committee for their confidence in us." 

The Outer Harbor event will provide numerous activities, including:

  • Bocce ball tournament
  • "Italian Idol" and Miss Italian Festival competition
  • Cultural heritage activities
  • Local entertainment
  • Children's activities and crafts
  • Cheese-building contests
  • Cooking demonstrations
  • Wine tastings
  • Grape-stomping contests
  • Italian car show
  • Sicilian puppet shows 

A proposed $5 admission fee will be charged for adults, with veterans and seniors paying half price, and children 12 and under admitted for free. 

Event highlights include a live performance by Sal Valentinetti, a finalist on "America's Got Talent," season 11, and the popular "Celebrity Galbani Cheese Building Contest."

For the 19th consecutive year, Galbani cheese, previously known as Sorrento Cheese, will serve as title sponsor. During the festivals, guests can visit the La Cucina Galbani cooking stage every day for recipe ideas and demonstrations from Chef Marco, as well as complementary samples of recipes created with Galbani products. 

"I am happy to see the annual Galbani Italian Heritage Festival continue for a 30th year, and pleased with its relocation to Buffalo's Outer Harbor," Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said. "Our city's food festivals bring millions of visitors to Buffalo every year. I hope residents and visitors will put this great festival on their summer must-do list. We look forward to enjoying great Italian food on our city's harbor." 

"It is bittersweet to see the festival move off of Hertel Avenue, but I know the relocation will provide an opportunity for expansion," said Councilman Joel P. Feroleto. " I am very excited that the Outer Harbor will give even more people a chance to experience this wonderful event, which I have loved since I was a kid growing up in North Buffalo. " 

In 2013, Gov. Andrew Cuomo transferred 350 acres of Outer Harbor Land to ECHDC, whose guiding principles and resources have enabled it to support and expedite the land's redevelopment. The Outer Harbor Management Group oversees 160 acres of land that is used and continuously improved by ECHDC in accordance with the Buffalo Outer Harbor "blueprint."

Buffalo's Outer Harbor can be accessed via Ohio Street, Route 5 and the Queen City Ferry. For GPS navigation, use the address 325 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14203. For more information and a detailed calendar of events, visit www.outerharborbuffalo.com.

ECHDC) is a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state's chief economic development agency. For more information on ECHDC, visit www.eriecanalharbor.com

First crafted in Italy by Egidio Galbani in 1882, Galbani cheeses have long been the No. 1 cheese brand in Italy. Galbani cheese is a leading brand of the Lactalis American Group Inc. Headquartered in Buffalo, LAG is a subsidiary of Parmalat S.p.A., an Italian public entity majority-owned by France-based Groupe Lactalis - the world's largest producer of premium cheese. For more information on Galbani, visit www.galbanicheese.com.

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