LineUp Announcement for BuffaLoveFest 2016

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

BuffaLoveFest will take place on Friday, May 27, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo.

In the past, BuffaLoveFest events have featured the BuffaLoveBirds All Star Band fronted by the late Lance Diamond. Last year, the group was a hit with attendees, performing a tribute to Lance Diamond. The BuffaLoveBirds will return to BuffaLoveFest again this year, with an all-star lineup that features popular local musicians Ali Critelli, Eric Crittenden, Vinne DeRosa, Rob Lynch, and Mike Wagner.

Other performers at the event will be local favorites Tiger Chung Lee, and Den of Lions.

In addition to Buffalonians’ favorite bands, BuffaLoveFest will feature over 20 food trucks, local beers and wine, Buffalo trivia, a DRINKO tournament, and a variety of Buffalo-centric vendors including local artisans, t-shirt printers, jewelers, and more!

The event is limited to ages 21 and up. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include two drinks. Click here to order your tickets!

BuffaLoveFest is presented by Try-It Distributing, with gold sponsor, First Niagara Bank.

See you at BuffaLoveFest!

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 BuffLoveFest Vendors: Clustered, Buffalosmark, Buffalo Art Prints, Architectural Prints, KegWorks, and Erin's Apples

We still have tons of vendors to share with you before the BuffaLoveFest celebration. We will be featuring six vendors on this blog post! Be sure to check out all the other vendors on this blog and The Good Neighborhood Blog.

Clustered

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?” 
Clustered offers a series of jewelry featuring Buffalo nickel with gemstones and pearls. You can even find necklaces and earrings in Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills colors.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 
We will feature handcrafted artisan jewelry. We are inspired by all sorts of natural materials such as gemstones, pearl, sterling silver, leather, coins, silverware, etc.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We are truly in love with Buffalo and all it has to offer. The food, the arts, the history, the architecture, and most importantly the people. There is simply nowhere else like Buffalo. You can find our jewelry at Wild things, located at 224 Lexington Ave. Wild Things has been in business as a cooperative artisan market since 1988. We shop/eat local and support our amazing artist community whenever possible. So proud to call Buffalo home.

Buffalosmark: Carol Conwall

1. How do you/your products embody “Buffalove?”
“The Buffalo” art, is a whimsical caricature imaging historical, architectural, scenic, floral, seasonal themed art.  Art that captures known and hidden treasures of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Western New York Region.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I will be selling “The Buffalo” and other novel card art, place/buffet cards, bookmarks and wallet charms. Also I will be selling novelty items, coasters, luggage tags, hockey pucks, coupon and pocket wallets, magnets, decals and framed art.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
The soul of my art is to artfully reminisce a time gone by, capturing the wonderment of our heritage and rekindle the conversational art of penning a note.  “The Buffalo” art is my contribution to the preservation of our historic architectural heritage, a City blessed with awesome beauty and magnificent architectural wonderment!

Buffalo Art Prints

1.How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”

My work celebrates nature and the four seasons of Buffalo. Through experiments in watercolor and gouache, I created a Buffalo tree which is the main element in most of my work.

2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?

I am selling prints, coaster sets, mugs, notecards, pendants, phone covers, onesies and ornaments.

3.How does your business contribute to our community? 

I appreciate the opportunity to sell my work through local artisan and gallery gift stores. By selling my work locally, I feel I’m supporting local businesses and the local economy.

Architectural Prints

1.How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?” 

All of our prints are images of historic Buffalo architecture.  Hand carved, on-site by a local artist, these prints are also printed on an antique letterpress at the WNY Book Arts center.

2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 

We are selling linoleum cut prints of Buffalo Architecture.

3.How does your business contribute to our community? 

We participate in as many local art events as possible.  By printing at the WNYBAC, we contribute to their business as well.  The artist also teaches at Tapestry Charter School and is a resident artist at the Buffalo Arts Studio.

KegWorks

1.How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"

KegWorks is a Buffalo-born company and proud of it. Our founder started KegWorks in his bedroom in 1998 and since then we’ve operated out of multiple locations in different parts of the city. Buffalo is a city that loves to have fun, and KegWorks is a company that sells unique items to help make that fun happen. And let’s face it, we’re a drinking town through and through, so basically Buffalo and KegWorks are a match made in heaven.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?

We’ll be selling a variety of products ranging from locally produced hockey puck bottle openers to our own Watermelon Tap kit that lets you turn any watermelon into a drink-dispensing wonder keg. We’ll also have plastic beer can handles to turn any bottle or can into a beer stein, unbreakable silicone pint glasses, beer-flavored lollipops, and much more!

3. How does your business contribute to our community?

We’re a 100% local business that employs over 50 of your friends and neighbors. We contribute time, energy, and money to events and organizations that we believe help build a stronger Buffalo (i.e. sponsoring the BPO Rocks series). 

Erin's Apples

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
I was born and raised in Buffalo, and I am proud to call myself a Buffalonian. This is a great city, with so many talented and interesting people. I genuinely enjoy the interactions I have with the members of this community through my small business.  

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? I am selling a variety of gourmet caramel apples at BuffaLoveFest, with flavors including triple chocolate, apple pie, Oreo, peanut butter, coconut cluster, s’mores, Butterfinger, and M&M.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? All of my ingredients and supplies are made in the USA, and many come from right here in the Buffalo area. I can provide delicious treats for any occasion, including, but not limited to: gifts, favors, showers, weddings, festivals, fundraisers, etc.  I love to help people brighten someone’s day or raise money for their organization! 

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

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendors: Queen City Shirt Company, Maze Art, Message Suite and Spa, and Patrice Design

BuffaLoveFest is only three days away! We still have a lot of vendors to share with you before the big celebration. Check out all the vendors coming to BuffaLoveFest on this blog and The Good Neighborhood Blog.

Queen City Shirt Company

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
Our products embody "BuffaLove" because they are old designs from old Buffalo companies. Also, we have new designs with present topics in the city.

Queen City Shirts

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We are selling shirts, caps, and belts.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We have contributed to the community by donating shirts for events. We have done fundraisers for Black Rock Girls and Boys Club ourselves.

Maze Art

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
Some of my prints and all of my T-shirts, kids shirts, totebags, aprons, and cards have a Buffalo with hidden words intertwined in a maze like design. Some of the hidden words are Buffalo Bills, Sabres, Queen City, Albright Knox, Delaware Park, snow, wings and more. Another Buffalo print has hidden words containing famous people from Buffalo embedded in the design.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I am selling Buffalo prints, cards, T-shirts-adults & kids, tote bags and aprons.They will all have the same Buffalo design with the hidden Buffalo words. I am also selling other prints of various themes, one I made reflecting the Garden Walk. Most of them have hidden words.

Some of the items that will be sold at this years BuffaLoveFest.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
With so many people wearing my T-shirts, it is good advertising and a conversation piece for Buffalo. Many people have purchased a Buffalo item to give to a family member or friend who has moved out of Buffalo! Many people in Florida are wearing their Buffalo T-shirt or sweatshirt! I have also contributed to organizations raising money for a good cause.

Massage Suite and Spa

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
We love Buffalo and keeping our community stress free.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We are selling chair massages. First minute free and after that it's $1.00 a  minute. We are also selling gift certificates.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We are a small locally owned massage practice helping the community relax. We also donate out time at particular events.

Patrice Designs

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
I incorporate Buffalo in all of my artwork.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
Hand-painted "Buffalo" wine and beer glasses and Buffalo inspired prints.

Here are some of the Buffalo-themed glasses made at Patrice Design.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
My business contributes to the community by making people love where they came from.


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

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendor: Durham Leather

Here's another BuffaLoveFest 2014 vendor who will be selling some really unique Buffalo-themed items at this year's celebration of all things "Buffalo." Check out Durham Leather!

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   All products are hand made in Hamburg, New York.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? Belts, wallets, leather carved pictures, game boards (including our Buffalo Chips Checkerboard), key chains, and many more fine hand made leather items.
3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   95% of my business is done in the Buffalo area, but many of my sales are from all over the country. I hope that my sales outside of WNY are spreading awareness about the quality of goods found in and around Buffalo.

The Durham Leather workshop.

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!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: WNYBAC

Our latest featured vendor is a really unique Buffalo organization. The Western New York Book Arts Center will be at BuffaLoveFest with hand-printed posters, cards, notebooks, and other one-of-a-kind goods. You'll also have a chance to sign up for a membership or workshop to get some hands-on experience with their presses!

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove"
WNYBAC, we strive to create a sense of community by bringing individuals together for a common cause. As an educational non- profit, we facilitate workshops, classes, summer camps, and field trips as a way to expose Buffalonians to the art of letterpress printing and other printmaking and bookmaking processes.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We will be selling our letterpress prints, cards, DIY Kits, Buffalo themed T-Shirts, blank notebooks and letterpress. Everything is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and supports a local non-profit!

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
WNYBAC holds a number of free workshops and events that are open to the public. One of these, Buffalo Bookfest is a long standing annual event focuses on printmaking and book arts and offers free hands on demonstrations. We also hold the “12 x 14” series at WNYBAC, which features 5 artists over the course of 12 months. Each artist is charged with conducting a free hands-on workshop that will be open to the general public.

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

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: Buffalo Steppes

BuffaLoveFest is only 4 weeks away! We'll be featuring new vendors here on the Buffalo Zoo blog and over on The Good Neighborhood until the big event on May 30.

The first featured vendor is new this year. Check out Buffalo Steppes.

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   The items I will be displaying and selling are truly unique and one of a kind in Buffalo. Every person who has Buffalo roots would be proud to own one of these wood carvings. Great items to give to your Buffalo expat friends and colleagues who may have moved out of the area as a remembrance of our great city.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   Hand made wood carvings of buffaloes and Buffalo-themed items (bookends and key rings). All hand-crafted and each one truly unique from each other.
   
   

   

   Buffalo Steppes

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   By not only allowing Buffalonians an opportunity to proudly show their enthusiasm for our city, we are also helping to support and provide jobs for the Akamba tribe in Kenya who are renowned wood carvers of African animals and have now begun carving buffaloes and Buffalo-themed items for my new sole proprietorship Buffalo Steppes.

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.

BuffaLoveFest at the Buffalo Zoo

 
Celebrate everything Buffalo at the inaugural BuffaLoveFest at the Buffalo Zoo! Sample the goods from local food trucks and breweries, and check out some local artisans and bands! BuffaLoveFest will introduce the BuffaLoveBirds, a band featuring some of Buffalo’s all-star musicians, coming together for one exclusive performance. The event will showcase all that Buffalo and Buffalonians have to offer! Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $30 at the door. Admission to the event includes 2 drinks. The first 500 people to purchase tickets will receive a commemorative poster. BuffaLoveFest is a 21+ event. 

BANDS 
Introducing for the first time, The BuffaLoveBirds All Star Band (featuring Lance Diamond, Caitlin Koch, Eric Crittenden, Vinnie DeRosa, Mike Wagner, & Rob Lynch) 
Andrew J. Reimers 
Jony James Band The Albrights 
The Steam Donkeys 

FEATURING 
Buffalo Trivia
Craft Brew Tastings Zoo
Animal Ambassadors
More to Come! 

FOOD TRUCKS 
Black Market Food Truck 
Let’s Be Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs 
Lloyd Taco Truck 
Roaming Buffalo 
Rolling Joe’s Café 
R&R Barbeque 
The Sweet Hearth 

BEER 
Buffalo Bills Brewery – Dundee – Labatt Blue – Labatt Blue Light – Labatt Blue Light Lime – Labatt 52 – Magic Hat – Pyramid – Shandy 

ARTISAN VENDORS Albright Knox Art Gallery – Born in Buffalo – Buffalo Art – Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Buffalo Games – Buffalo History Buff – Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village – Burchfield Penny Art Center – C Designs & Illustrations – CC Designs – City Dining Cards – Community Beer Works – Curiouser Teacups – EmbroidMe – Erin’s Apples – FC Buffalo – Flying Bison Brewing Co. – Gizmo’s Creations – Hotroxs Buffalo Bistro – My Buffalo Shirt – Ooo la la Fashion Truck – Oh Pour L-Amour du Chocolat – Park Edge Sweet Shoppe – Pasteurized Tees – Retro Buffalo – Sweet Jenny’s – The Buffalo History Museum – The Buffalo Zoo’s Animal Department – Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site – WNY Book Arts Center More to come! 

SPONSORED BY Mutual of Omaha, Western New York Division

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.