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For Immediate Release:
December 16, 2011
Contact:
Erich Weyant (ECHDC) |
eweyant@esd.ny.gov | 716.846.8258
Canalside Hosts its First Annual Holiday
Celebration
Festivities included the lighting of the Canalside Holiday
tree, food and music on the Central Wharf, and a preview of “The
Liberty Hound” bistro at the Naval Museum Erie Canal Harbor
Development Corporation (ECHDC) Chairman Jordan Levy joined with
Buffalo Sabres Owner Terrence Pegula, Congresswoman Kathy Hocul and
County Executive-elect Mark Poloncarz to mark the first annual
Canalside Holiday Celebration. The event signaled ECHDC’s commitment
to making Canalside a four-season destination for visitors.
“Our waterfront now has something unique to offer all year round,”
said Levy. “Tonight’s celebration is just a sample of what will be
available next year, once the public canals open on the Aud Block. I
encourage the public to come down to Canalside during the next few
weeks to enjoy the holiday atmosphere and the terrific changes that
are taking place on the waterfront.”
"We're very excited to be a part of the tree lighting at Canalside"
said Ted Black president of the Buffalo Sabres. "We encourage all of
our fans to stop by and see the tree on their way down to the Sabres
games or anytime during the Holiday Season."
The event began on the Central Wharf, with Pegula lighting the
Canalside Holiday tree. The 30’ tree was donated by Ed Hilliker of
Treehaven Evergreen Nursery in Elma. The installation included work
by DiDonato Associates of Buffalo (engineering), General Welding of
Elma (steelwork), Hanes Supply of Buffalo (rigging materials), and
the Modern Corporation of Buffalo (crane operation). The tree was
decorated with hundreds of LED lights by Bravo Events and will
feature four different lighting patterns.
Entertainment was provided by the Dickens Carolers, who strolled
through Canalside dressed in holiday garb and The House of Munch
sold hot chocolate, donuts, French fries and old-time birch beer.
“Western New Yorkers should embrace winter and this celebration is a
step in that direction,” said ECHDC President Thomas P. Dee. “If you
look at other successful cities, they capitalize on the
opportunities that are available during all twelve months of the
year. I want to thank the many people who worked to make this night
a reality, including our vendors and our great partners at Buffalo
Place.”
Following the tree lighting, the Buffalo and Erie County Navy &
Military Museum hosted a preview of “The Liberty Hound,” the new
bistro that is scheduled to open in April 2012. The preview featured
renderings of the completed restaurant as well as samples from the
menu.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is a subsidiary agency of
Empire State Development Corporation whose vision is to revitalize
Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo
based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance and
natural beauty. |
