As usual, the weather is becoming unbearable. If you’re looking to warm up your spirits and get in fully frigid winter mode, check out some of what Buffalo has to offer this month.
WEDI Winterfest
The Atrium @ Rich’s, 1 Robert Rich Way
Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The West Side will be walking in a winter wonderland this weekend. This 10th annual edition of Winterfest is equipped with food from Rich Products alongside offerings from the West Side Bazaar.
Aside from food, the evening’s entertainment should be very much in order. For your jazzily cold enjoyment, saxophonist Kelly Bucheger and What Would Mingus Do? is all set to warm up the evening with hot numbers.
GA tickets for Winterfest can run around $60, so it may be worthwhile to buy VIP, which includes an open bar and a glass to remember the evening by.
Canalside
44 Prime St.
Feb. 10-24, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Located in the epicenter of downtown Buffalo, Canalside is a hit no matter the weather.
Every Saturday throughout the month of February will feature a variety of entertainment near Buffalo’s harbor. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Canalside’s lodge is the perfect place to keep from freezing to death. Additionally, if you like watching the grain elevators light up in the summer, you just may love to see the historic structures illuminate in Buffalo’s most popular climate.
Canalside’s rink will also feature open skate hours along with public performances. The 30-minute performances begin at 4 p.m. and will features different skaters each afternoon.
For a classic way to celebrate the Queen City’s shivery temperatures, make sure to try to master the ice, even if it comes with some failure.
Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament
Buffalo Riverworks, 359 Ganson St.
Feb. 11-18
Nothing screams Buffalo more than hockey and beer.
Next Sunday you can head on down to Riverworks and check out some of the best of what the 716 can offer. Players will be separated by three divisions based on level of play from beginner to advanced.
The tournament begins this weekend and continues on through the 18th, with playoffs finishing up on the 17th and 18th. In addition to hockey, attendees can enjoy musical festivities, silo tower tours, rock climbing and a ninja skills competition. There will also be zip lines alongside appearances from former Buffalo Sabres players throughout the tournament.
If you’re looking for something nice to do this month, come out to support Buffalo’s best non-pro hockey players.
Horsefeathers Winter Market
346 Connecticut St.
Every Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ends Feb. 24
Farmer’s markets are traditionally an outdoor, warm weather gathering of vendors and locals. They offer viable alternatives to supermarkets with a direct farm-to-fridge experience. But finding one in the winter can be next to impossible
Horsefeathers Winter Market –– as you can tell by the name –– is that elusive winter farmer’s market.
Located on the corner of Connecticut and Normal Streets, Horsefeathers has a lineup of permanent vendors, selling things like cheese and cake pops.
Farmers sell products from organic fruits and vegetables to meat and mushrooms. Other vendors sell French macaroons and truffles.
There’s only three Saturdays left before you have to go back to normal outdoor farmer’s markets. Warm weather? Who needs it!
Dan McKeon and Benjamin Blanchet are editors and can be reached at features@ubspectrum.com.
Benjamin Blanchet is the senior engagement editor for The Spectrum. His words have been seen in The Buffalo News (Gusto) and The Sun newspapers of Western New York. Loves cryptoquip and double-doubles.
