With classes coming to a halt this week and students starting to plan their summer vacations, those staying near campus won't have to go far for free summer fun, as the Gateway Harbor in North Tonawanda will once again be a place for concerts, food, and, well, more food.
Summer, of course, is a time for relaxation, parties, cookouts, and the beach. But for students with limited budgets, it can be difficult to enjoy all of these activities. Organizers certainly have UB's demographic in mind when Gateway Harbor will be hosting free concerts and events every Wednesday and Friday night, with acts ranging from national names to local favorites. The sounds of summer will kick off June 21 with American Brass and the Soul Providers.
The Molson Canal Concert Series, which hosts concerts every Saturday at the harbor, will officially announce their lineup the first week of May. Acts including Rusted Root, Tesla and Blue Rodeo have been mentioned as possible performers.
According to Linda Foels, president of Gateway Harbor Corporation and director of recreation for the town of Tonawanda, students can expect to hear mostly classic rock music and see crowds of about 3,000 to 5,000 people.
"It's almost like a really big picnic," Foels said.
People of all ages and many families come to the harbor every week.
"The average age for the Wednesday night concerts is about 35 to 45, for Friday concerts it's about 40-50, and for Saturday concerts, it depends on who is playing," Foels said. "I've seen an average age being 18 and an average age of being 45."
Although the Harbor is known for the summer concert series, other festivals and events fill many social calendars.
The Taste of the Tonawandas, a food-based festival that features Tonawanda restaurants, reappears on Aug. 19.
From July 16-23, the Gateway Harbor will hold Canal Fest featuring local food, beer tents, carnival rides and games, craft shows, and music. Also, an annual Boat Show will take place the weekend of Sept. 15-17. This expo features boats ranging from yachts to canoes and jet skis.
Nichole Adelman, a senior communication major, has been to Gateway Harbor a few times for the concert series.
"I went to an Everclear concert and I saw 38 Special, but I mostly had fun drinking," Adelman said. "College students are broke, the shows are free, there are tons of people there, and you always see people you know. The park is also a really nice place to go."
The Dockside Inn restaurant, located across the street from Gateway Park on Sweeney Street, will host two outdoor live music events in June, and will have local bands playing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. most Fridays throughout the summer.
Unfortunately, because of crowds from the events, some local businesses need extra help keeping up with the pace.
A Buffalo State graduate, Bonnie Urban, served and bartended at the Dockside Inn during the concert series last summer.
"During the Canal Fest and concerts, the bar was unbearably busy," Urban said. "People would sit anywhere they could find a spot. It was a scary time of year."
According to Foels, depending on the day, the crowds can occasionally be overwhelming.
"Wednesday nights are crowded but comfortable and you don't need to purchase tickets for food and drinks, but Saturdays are extremely crowded and you have to buy tickets for everything," Foels said.
Foels believes that the students will recognize more music than they think, and that the concert series will provide an enjoyable experience for many students seeking entertainment on a tight budget.
"The Harbor itself is a beautiful area," she said, "parking is not bad, the events are free, and you can come and go as you please."
