Rotary Club of Buffalo to host special event at Canalside's newest attraction

‘Carousel Carnival’ on Sept. 10-11

Following the grand opening of the solar-powered Buffalo Heritage Carousel on Memorial Day weekend, the Rotary Club of Buffalo has announced the first major event at the site.

Round and round we go this Sept. 10 and 11, as the community is invited to celebrate the “Carousel Carnival.” On Friday, a ticketed VIP party will toast this new addition to the waterfront. On Saturday, a free carnival will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with free carousel rides, carnival games and food, “make and take” activities for kids, and more. To close the day, the Rotary Club of Buffalo will hold its annual “Duck Derby” at 4:15 p.m. Adopt ducks for $5 each and watch them race to the finish in the Commercial Slip.

For information and to purchase tickets to the VIP party or to adopt ducks for the big race, call the Buffalo Rotary office at 716-854-3397.

A press release stated, “Take this opportunity to see the amazing restoration of this carousel and its beautiful animals, which was originally made in North Tonawanda in 1924, disappeared for decades and now stands tall with a brand-new solar-powered roof, thanks to Tesla. All of the attractions at Canalside, including Explore and More Children’s Museum, the new Long Shed, and the Erie County Public Library, will participate in the event with kid’s activities and tours. The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park will hold its annual 9/11 memorial that morning with the ringing of the bells for each person who lost their life 20 years ago.

“In addition to a free, fun-filled day for the community, this event will raise money to support the Rotary Club of Buffalo’s grants to community organizations. Most recently, the club provided more than $70,000 in pandemic relief to seven local nonprofits: FeedMore WNY, Feed the Front Lines, Friends of the Night People, Harvest House, Compass House, St. Luke’s Mission on Mercy, and Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network. Proceeds from the ‘Carousel Carnival’ will help continue this important work.”

The Rotary Club of Buffalo is the largest service organization in Western New York and, for more than 100 years, has been working to benefit the community. Since 1989, the club has awarded grants totaling more than $2 million to local charitable groups, and its members have invested tens of thousands of hours in sweat equity to help make Buffalo a better place to live. For more information, visit www.buffalonyrotary.org.