Lineup for Third Annual BuffaLoveFest Includes Tribute to Lance Diamond

The Buffalo Zoo has announced the lineup for their third annual BuffaLoveFest, an event featuring all things “Buffalo.”

BuffaLoveFest will take place on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo. Click here for tickets. 

In the past, BuffaLoveFest events have featured the BuffaLoveBirds All Star Band fronted by the late Lance Diamond. This year, the group will perform a tribute to the singer including “Lancefication,” a song that was co-produced by Diamond and the Goo Goo Dolls’ Robby Takac. The BuffaLoveBird band lineup features popular local musicians Ali Critelli, Eric Crittenden, Vinne DeRosa, Rob Lynch, and Mike Wagner.

Other performers at the event will be local favorites Blackrock Zydeco and the Albrights, with DJ sets by Camaican Sensation.

“This year’s event will have eighteen food trucks,” said the Zoo’s senior events coordinator, Katie Jordan. “In past years, the lines for food trucks have been really long, and many of the trucks ran out of food before the end of the event. We hope that the additional food trucks this year will accommodate the large hungry crowd!”

The Zoo has partnered with local breweries to offer exclusive BuffaLoveFest brews from Flying Bison, Resurgence, and Big Ditch Brewing. The Zoo has also added wine from Chateau Buffalo to this year’s offerings.

In addition to Buffalonians’ favorite bands, food trucks, and beers and wine; the event will include Buffalo trivia, a DRINKO tournament, and a variety of Buffalo-centric vendors including local artisans, t-shirt printers, jewelers, and more!

Click Here for the full list of vendors!

The event is limited to ages 21 and up. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include two drinks. To order tickets online, please visit buffalozoo.org. Tickets can also be purchased at any WNY Noco Express location.

BuffaLoveFest is presented by TryIt Distributing and sponsored by Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union. Media sponsors include ArtVoice, Buffalo.com, Buffalo Spree, 97 Rock, 103.3 The Edge, Yelp.com, Community Papers of WNY, and Fox 29/MyTV Buffalo.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO BUFFALOVEFEST. 

Call for Vendors! BuffaLoveFest 2015 is Coming.

Sell your BuffaLove goods at BuffaLoveFest 2015! The third annual BuffaLoveFest is set to be our biggest and best one yet. If you're a food truck owner, or an artisan making Buffalo-themed goods, we want you!

BuffaLoveFest will take place at the Zoo on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. This great evening of “Everything Buffalo” will feature culinary offerings from the area’s finest food trucks, Buffalo's most popular bands, local wine and beer brands, and Buffalo-themed artisans.

We are calling on Buffalo food trucks and artisan vendors to sell their product and to be showcased throughout one of the community’s most unique venues-the Buffalo Zoo!

Food Truck & Vendor Registration Details & Requirements:

Date:               Friday, May 29, 2015
Event Time:   5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Food Truck Fee:    $100.00 to the Buffalo Zoo*
Vendor Fee:    $75.00 to the Buffalo Zoo*
*501(c)(3) organizations vendor fees will be waived
Attendance:   approximately 2,500 guests (21 and over event)

• Offer localized merchandise appropriate for the event’s BuffaLove theme (vendors) OR
• Offer foods at friendly prices (Food trucks)
• Vendor keeps all profits
• Must supply own equipment and serving supplies
• VENDORS ONLY: Zoo will provide – location, 1 table, 2 chairs, 1 linen & electric outlets (if requested)

Application, Insurance Certificate & Fee Deadline for FOOD TRUCKS: April 15, 2015
Application, Insurance Certificate & Fee Deadline for VENDORS: April 30, 2015
Click here to download application.

Mailing Address:
Katie Jordan
300 Parkside Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14214

Email: kjordan@buffalozoo.org

Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Zoo’s Senior Events Coordinator, Katie Jordan, at 716-995-6133 or kjordan@buffalozoo.org.

Have a friend that may be interested in participating as a food truck or vendor? Please forward the registration information!

Thank you for your consideration and support of the Buffalo Zoo!

Get Your Tickets for BuffaLoveFest 2015!

Tickets are now on sale for the third annual BuffaLoveFest, an event featuring all things “Buffalo.”

BuffaLoveFest will take place on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo. The 21 and over event will feature live music from some of Buffalo’s favorite bands, wine,  beer from a variety of local brands, food trucks, and vendors and artisans who specialize in Buffalo-themed goods.

Aerial shot of the Buffalo Zoo taken during BuffaLoveFest 2014

Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include two drink tickets. Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1-800-838-3006.

Check out this video montage from the slow motion video booth at last year's BuffaLoveFest! We have even more fun in store for you this year!

BUFFALOVEFEST - SLOW MOTION CINEMA BOOTH from Shutter Dream Studio on Vimeo.


BuffaLoveFest is presented by Try-It Distributing with sponsorship support from Buffalo.com, Yelp, Artvioce, Fox29, MyTv, and Community Papers of Western New York.

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendors: Artyard Studio, Buffalo Gal Organics, and Predmore

The tent is up and the stage is set! Just 2 more days until BuffaLoveFest! (Do you have your tickets yet?!) Here are a few more awesome vendors we have lined up for Friday.

Artyard Studio

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   I make Buffalo themed pottery that is decorative and yet functional.  I make Large bows and vases with carved buffalos , palters and serving trays too our ever popular Buffalo shaped Art magnets are great accents for any fridge, home or office. The perfect little gift! Show your Buffalo New York Pride with this gift.
   
   



2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   The above mentioned items and Our Artic Polar series.
   
3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   Show your Buffalo New York Pride with our gift wares and we also donate and contribute to many organizations  locally as well as proceeds are donated for digging wells in Africa.

Buffalo Gal Organics

1. How do you/your products embody BuffaLove?
   We named our company Buffalo Gal Organics because we love Buffalo!  We have built our brand around the ground up believing in small town values and in doing things right.  The buffalo is a part of our labeling and brand as well.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   Vegan, organic, holistic  bath body and beauty care.
   
   



3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   We strive to educate the community about natural skincare and the benefits of using locally sourced ingredients.  We regularly offer classes on skincare and holistic nutrition.

Predmore Creations

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   I’ve been drawing & painting scenes of Buffalo’s architectural landmarks for over 20 years.  All of my locally themed art & gifts are made in buffalo, NY . Thousands of homes throughout the United States are displaying my Buffalo themed products, which remind them of their hometown.
   
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? I will be selling the Buffalo Landmark series of themed glassware, matted & framed prints based on my original paintings, buffalo ornaments, plaques & Buffalo Stained glass display dishes.
   
3. How does your business contribute to our community? I work closely with Gerard Place(Transitional housing for homeless single parents) Donating items for fundraisers & helping with promotion. Some organizations that a portion of my proceeds have gone to are The Burchfield Penney Museum, American Red Cross, I designed two Buffalo’s for Roswell’s “herd of Buffalo campaign” that sold for over $8000 for the pair.  Allowed use of my artwork to raise funds for Daemen College’s Schol;arship Fund, Drew Canisius College & donated a framed limited edition framed print which sold for $1200 at the annual Gambit auction. Several others as well such as Variety Club, Sabah, Shea’s Theater, Compass House etc.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: Buffalo Cookie Co.

It's time for the latest featured BuffaLoveFest 2014 vendor. If you've got a sweet tooth, you're going to love this one!  Check out the Buffalo Cookie Co. Find more BuffaLoveFest vendors on this blog and on The Good Neighborhood.

1. How do your products embody "BuffaLove?"
   We have several varieties of shortbread cookies but are most proud of our signuature "Buffalo Wing" cookie. We also make a Buffalo Bills cookie in Bills colors, a Buffalo Sponge cookie, and a Buffalo Loganberry cookie.
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30?
   Our hand-cut bison-shaped shortbread cookies.
3. How does your business contribute to the Buffalo community?
   We are two older women who believe that people in Buffalo could use some inspiration! We have had many women approach us to find out how we started. We also donate $1 from every bag of our Jack's M&M cookies to pediatric research in the area. 

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

LineUp Annoucement for BuffaLoveFest 2014

The Buffalo Zoo has announced the lineup for their second annual BuffaLoveFest, an event featuring all things “Buffalo.”

The inaugural BuffaLoveFest in 2013 was such a success that Zoo officials have decided to make the event bigger and better in 2014.

“We had a lot more people attend last year than we expected” said Katie Jordan, the Zoo’s Senior Events Coordinator. “To accommodate a larger crowd, this year’s event will have  more than double the amount of food trucks we had last year.”

Other additions include an exclusive beer from Flying Bison, a slow-motion photo booth, Buffalo celebrity photo-op and autograph table, and more!

One thing that won’t change at this year’s BuffaLoveFest will be a performance by the BuffaLoveBirds All Star Band, featuring Lance Diamond. Other performers include local favorites The Steam Donkeys, Whiskey Reverb, and DJ sets by SpookyBusiness and Camaican Sensation.

In addition to Buffalonians’ favorite bands and food trucks, the event will include a Buffalo trivia tournament, and a variety of Buffalo-centric vendors including local artisans, t-shirt printers, jewelers, and more!

BuffaLoveFest will take place on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo. The event is limited to ages 21 and up. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include 2 drink tickets. Click here to order tickets to BuffaLoveFest 2014.

BuffaLoveFest is presented by Mutual of Omaha and 2 Find Your Home.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - Luna Bear Designs

You've probably heard about our friend, 7-year-old Aly, who is making and selling jewelry for the Our Bears Belong in Buffalo campaign. Her Luna-inspired designs have already raised over $2,000 for the campaign to help build the new Arctic Edge exhibit and keep Luna in Buffalo. While Aly can't attend the 21 and up event, her mom Tracey will be at BuffaLoveFest selling the Luna Bear Designs jewelry. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

How do you embody “BuffaLove?”
I have lived in Buffalo, NY my whole life and am happy to be raising my family here.  The business my daughter and I started to raise money for the Bear Campaign has only reinforced my love of the area.  I am blown away by the generosity of Western New Yorkers who have fully embraced our efforts by donating not only money by buying our Luna Jewelry, but also their time in continuing to promote the business.

What do you consider your claim to fame?
My 7-year old daughter Aly wanted to raise money for the Zoo.  She drew all of the original designs that our pieces are based on.  In the short time that our web store has been live (since April 9, 2013) Luna Bear Designs has been featured on Winging It Buffalo Style, Channel 2 Daybreak and we were hosted by Buffalo Adore in South Buffalo for an entire day of fundraising.

What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
Well, we’re partial to Luna right now, but we love all the zoo animals – some of our favorites are the elephants, Isaac the donkey and the ray in the gorilla house.  The Rainforest is always changing – for as often as we go, there is always something new and wonderful to see.

What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 31st?
Jewelry inspired by Luna and her fabulous name. 

How does your business contribute to our community?
A generous portion of the proceeds are being donated to the Buffalo Zoo Bear Campaign. 

Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - Buffalo History Buff

Our goal for the inaugural BuffaLoveFest at the Buffalo Zoo is to showcase all things Buffalo, and to celebrate our Buffalo pride! The fine folks at Buffalo History Buff embody that spirit with their posters of retro Buffalo company advertisements.

1. How do you embody "BuffaLove?"
Buffalo History Buff is very much the manifestation of our love for Buffalo. Our mission is to remind Buffalonians, near and far, of how great our city once was and continues to be. Our prints of restored vintage local advertisements flash back to a time when Buffalo was the industrial center of the United States of America. Our images educate, entertain and inspire, but most of all provide ourselves and our customers with opportunity to show pride in our city, the Buffalo we all love.

2. What do you consider to be your claim to fame?
While Buffalo History Buff is far from famous, our love of our city and its history evolved from the love of our home and studio. We are lucky enough to live and work from Allentown's Coatsworth mansion. Our house has appeared in the newspaper, magazines and even in the book "City of Light". We hope that our upcoming participation in the Buffalo Zoo's BuffaLoveFest and the exposure to the hundreds of Buffa-lovers in attendance will allow Buffalo History Buff to enjoy some of the same "fame" as its inspiration.

3. What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
While the majority of the attention may currently be on the cubs, our favorite animals at the Buffalo Zoo are all of our polar bears. Our polar bears and their habitat requirements are the catalyst for the Buffalo Zoo's current, and most ambitious renovation project. The new Arctic Edge exhibit will be a beacon of pride and progress, and has already been the impetus for the "Our Bears Belong in Buffalo" campaign, with billboards and commercials not just reminding us to help, but to also be proud of the Buffalo Zoo. Recently, when visiting the Zoo with our three small children, we were lucky enough to see the future parents of Luna spend some quality time cuddling. These amazingly enormous beasts deserve not only our respect, but our adoration.

4. How does your business contribute to our community?
Our mission is all about community pride. Whenever people view our images, inevitably somebody says something to the affect of "I didn't know there was this much in Buffalo". Buffalo was once the eighth most populous city in the United States. Buffalonians have now established communities all over the country. In a sense, Buffalonians are very much our own immigrant ethnicity in many cities. Every national story seems to have a Buffalo connection. Our goal is simply to perpetuate the civic pride that exists within all Buffalonians; whether or not you've fled the snow, we all share Buffa-Love!


Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - My Buffalo Shirt

The types of Buffalo-centric goods you'll find at BuffaLoveFest range from chocolates and jewelry to tea cups and craft beers. But you can definitely expect to see a whole lot of Buffalo-themed t-shirts because as we all know, Buffalonians LOVE Buffalo t-shirts! One of the many shirt companies you'll be able to check out at the event is My Buffalo Shirt.

How do you embody "BuffaLove?" 
This is easy, Buffalo is the focus of what we do. We create shirt designs around the great things in Buffalo, from sports to heritage.  Being born and raised in Buffalo enables us to put our heart and soul into each design.

What do you consider to be your claim to fame? 
Our very first shirt was our blue Buffalo Hockey design to which My Buffalo Shirt was built around. It stemmed various other designs and many more are being worked on as we speak. 

What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
Hands down Lion; it's a ferocious yet beautiful creature.

How does your business contribute to our community?
We donate shirts from time to time to not-for-profit companies and events for silent auctions to raise money for their overall cause. 

Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

Tickets Now Available for Inaugural BuffaLoveFest at the Zoo!

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural BuffaLoveFest, an event featuring all things “Buffalo,” presented by the Buffalo Zoo in association with Be Incorporated.

BuffaLoveFest will take place on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo. The 21 and over event will feature live music from some of Buffalo’s favorite bands, beer from a variety of local brands, food trucks, and vendors and artisans who specialize in Buffalo-themed goods.

Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include 2 drink tickets. The first 500 people to purchase tickets will receive a commemorative poster. To purchase tickets, please call (716) 995-6131 or order online at buffalozoo.org.