Spend the summer eating at Buffalo area food festivals

If you want to get a feel for Buffalo’s culinary scene, check out the food festivals.

From fairs that celebrate crops (like corn and peaches), to various “taster” festivals hosted by each city, to events honoring heritage (especially Italian, Asian), the region’s food festivals reflect its passion for food.

Mark your calendar for the following summer food festivals:

July 20, Main and Buffalo Streets, Hamburg; hamburgburgerfest.com

While the exact origins of the hamburger remain up for debate, its popularity as a summertime treat is not. Enjoy burgers served up by various Hamburg restaurants (each with their own twist) or opt for a different snack, like popcorn, sugar waffles, and pierogi, from one of the many food vendors. Browse a vintage car exhibit, listen to live music, watch magic tricks, and take the kids for family-friendly activities. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 24, Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce, 6524 E Quaker St.; orchardparkchamber.org

One of the few “Taste of” events hosted by area cities, the Taste of Orchard Park will feature a sampling of food and beverages from local restaurants located in the heart of the business district. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Galbani Italian Heritage Festival

July 26-28 along Hertel Avenue; buffaloitalianfestival.com

The 48th Italian Festival is a celebration of Italian culture and heritage, especially food. Vendors selling Italian products, such as Angelo’s Italian Pastry, LuGia’s On Wheels of Buffalo (Italian gelato and ice cream), and Muscarella’s Cannoli, line Hertel Avenue. Local chefs also offer cooking demonstrations. And then there’s the annual grape crushing, which you won’t want to miss. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 26 and 27, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 28.

July 27, Village Park on Main Street, Barker

Celebrate corn with a corn roast, corn eating contest and corn hole (it counts). Food trucks, kids’ activities and live music round out the festival. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Niagara Wine and Food Festival

July 27 and 28, Academy Park, 851 Center St., Lewiston; niagarawinetrail.org

Taste wines along the Niagara Wine Trail without having to hop on a tour bus. Nine local wineries, including A Gust of Sun Winery and Victorianbourg Wine Estate, will be participating in the festival. There will be food vendors, like Moneybag Dumplings, a farmers market, craft vendors and DJ music. Each ticket ($40 in advance and $45 at the door) includes three tastings from each winery and can be spread out over both days of the festival. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. on July 27 and noon to 5 p.m. on July 28.

July 27 at Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion, 1100 Jefferson Ave.; wnyvegfest.com

Vegan food is on the menu at the 10th annual WNY VegFest. Expect to find food vendors offering a range of plant-based foods, as well as speakers and booths sharing information about veganism and activities for kids. Hours are noon to 5 p.m.

July 31-August 4 at the Niagara County Fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport; cceniagaracounty.org/niagara-county-fair

There’s plenty to do at a county fair, but food is usually at the top of the list. More than 20 food vendors will be serving everything from pizza and Greek salads to blooming onions and lobster poutine. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 31 through Aug. 3, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4.

August 1-4 at American Legion Post 880, 2912 Legion Drive, Eden; edencornfest.com

Celebrate Eden’s most famous export (corn, followed, if possible, by kazoos) at the 60th annual event, where you can enjoy corn on the cob and corn chowder while playing cornhole. Unrelated to corn, there are also food stalls, rides, games and a craft show. Hours are 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 1 and 2, noon to 11 p.m. on August 3 and noon to 9 p.m. on August 4.

Taste of Clarence and Evening Cruise

August 5 at Clarence Town Park, 10405 Main St., Clarence

Local restaurants and food trucks compete for the annual People’s Choice Silver Spoon Award by trying to provide the tastiest food. Entertainment includes a classic car show, vendor market, basket raffle and Clarence Idol (like “American Idol” if all the contestants were Clarence residents). Hours are noon to 8 p.m.

August 7-18 at the Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg; ecfair.org

You’re sure to find your summer favorites, including popcorn, corndogs, and fried Oreos, at the Erie County Fair. If you’re one of the many people whose main reason for visiting the fair is the food, then consider going on August 12 for Taste of the Fair Day, when each food vendor offers a food item for a $3 discount. Gates are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

August 10 at 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls; niagarafallsusa.com/events-calendar/taste-of-culture

The annual Taste of Culture festival showcases international cuisine while helping children understand cultures around the world through a passport activity. The festival also celebrates music and dance. There will be a live mariachi band and belly dancing. Hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

August 10-11 along Washington Street in the village of Ellicottville; ellicottvilleny.com

Ellicottville’s local restaurants and bars fill the village streets to offer servings of their signature dishes. Nestled in the heart of the ski area, venture out for a hike nearby, perhaps to Little Rock City, to help digest your food. Hours are noon to 4 p.m.

Asian Food and Culture Festival

Aug. 11 at Canalside, 44 Prime St.; buffalowaterfront.com

In between bites of traditional dishes prepared by local Asian restaurants, enjoy live performances, cultural exhibits, and traditional arts and crafts. This is the fifth year that the festival, organized by the Asian American Culture Alliance, runs from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

August 11 along Main Street, Lockport; discoverlockport.com/lkpt-food-fest

Each participating business will offer one or two small servings of their signature dishes. The festival also includes a food market, a dining tent, live music and a family area with games, art and activities. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 31 and September 1 at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park; buffalowing.com

Local and national restaurants go all out for the Buffalo Wing Festival. There are also a few questionable activities, like hot wing eating contests and wing swimming contests. And no, the wings aren’t submerged in water—it’s blue cheese, of course. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. on August 31 and noon to 7 p.m. on September 1.

Niagara County Fishing Festival

September 5-8 at Academy Park, 851 Center St., Lewiston; niagaracountypeachfestival.org

Seven tons of peach shortcake are typically served during the Niagara County Peach Festival. Peaches are the main attraction, but they’re not the only thing on the menu. Dozens of food vendors offer fairground fare. There’s also a peach parade, rides and a peach contest where the Peach Queen (not Princess Peach) will be crowned. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on September 5, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 6, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on September 7 and 8.

September 7 on Main Street, East Aurora; eanycc.com/taste-of-east-aurora

More than 30 restaurants from East Aurora, Aurora, Colden, Elma, Holland, Marilla and Wales are gathering on Main Street to offer tastings of their cuisine. Many dishes will share a common theme – coconut – for this year’s Taste Test competition. Five judges blindly taste each dish and select the winner based on which one best uses coconut flavor. Attendees also vote for five different awards, including best bite and best healthy option. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.