New for Dyngus Day Buffalo 2019

The 13th annual Dyngus Day Buffalo Festival will hit the ground running this year.

At 10 a.m. Dyngus Day morning (Monday, April 22), runners and fun lovers of all ages will gather at Houghton Park in Buffalo's Kaisertown neighborhood for the first ever "Dyngus Day Dash." The race is a "pussy willow relay" run where teams of two will travel around a half-mile-long path. The first partner will hand off a pussy willow branch to a teammate at the halfway point. That person will then continue to the finish line.

WNY Finish Line Services and Timing will tabulate final results in various combined age groups. Following the race, runners can enjoy a good, old-fashioned weenie roast courtesy of Redlinski meats.

“This is exactly the kind of energy we are trying to attract to our area," said Cory Reichle, president of Kaisertown Friends Association. "Not only do we get to expose people to one of the most unique urban areas of the city and all that we have to offer, but we get to start off Dyngus Day Buffalo – one of the coolest annual festivals in town – with a great, family-friendly activity that celebrates the arrival of spring as only Western New Yorkers know how to do.”

In addition to the weenie roast and awards ceremony, all runners will receive a commemorative T-shirt with their registration. To register, participants can visit www.dyngusday.com.