Niagara Rises

Withthe first ever Niagara Homecoming under our belts, I would like to take a few moments to thank Frank and Colleen for all their leadership and vision.  A thank you needs to also go out to all the organizers of the different days events.  As a group of volunteers who are trying to make a difference for our beloved city, we would love to hear from everyone who attended our functions.  What did you like?  Are there things you think we should include next year?  Please let us know by posting a comment here or by emailing us at niagararises@yahoo.com

03-three-sisters-island-11

Tags: http://www.niagararises.com/niagarafalls/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=553

Saturday, June 27

Discover Niagara Falls

All day, all over Niagara Falls there will be Historic Tours of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Bus Tour, Wine Trail Tour, Mob Tour.

Website for tours Detail Document for Tours

Echota Neighborhood Open House & Reunion

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hyde Park Blvd/Buffalo Avenue

Bring a dish to pass, network with old friends and check out the old neighborhood! Free

Website for Echota Reunion Facebook Page for Echota Reunion Detail document for Echota

Real Estate/Energy Savings Expo

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Doors open at 9:30 - Power Vista, Lewiston

Find out about WNY Real Estate, pick up your list of Saturday and Sunday Open Houses to tour. Free Open Houses hosted by the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, Open Houses will take place throughout the region all Saturday and Sunday afternoon, showcasing Western NewYork’s extraordinary real estate values.

Website for Open Houses Detail Document for Real Estate Expo

Website for Real Estate Expo

Facebook Page for Niagara Homecoming Real Estate Expo & Open Houses

Positively Main Street Festival

12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us on both Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 for Two Days of Local Talent, Saturday featuring the Junk Yard Dogs and Sunday featuring Free Henry-Free!

Website for Positively Main Street Detail Document for Positively Main Street

Facebook Page for Positively Main Street

Tags: Niagara Homecoming

The Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society (NFHPS) announces its first tours of Downtown Niagara Falls to be held during the Buffalo Niagara Homecoming on June 27, 2009. 

 

A narrated Victorian Era tour will be led by NFHPS President Bill Bradberry beginning  of the tour at the First Presbyterian Church- 311 First Street at 10 am.  Visitors will be greeted by costumed guides Augustus Porter and his daughter, Lavinia, who were among the church founders and notable leaders of the City of Niagara Falls.  Stroll along historic Buffalo Avenue looking at churches and stately homes, including taking a closer look inside one of oldest homes in Niagara Falls.

 

The second tour, led by City Historian and preservation architect Tom Yots, will highlight downtown Niagara Falls of the 1920’s.  Meet just outside the Red Coach Inn, 2 Buffalo Avenue at 2 pm to glimpse the historic and the architecture “up close and personal” of such places as the United Office Building, the newly restored Jefferson Apartment Building, and the Niagara Hotel, currently being restored.  Tour members will discover historic Buffalo Avenue in the era of flappers and their escorts along for the ride.

 

Call the Niagara University General Information Center/Green Line to make a reservation Monday through Thursday from 9 until 5 pm. (716) 205-0287 to reserve early for either or both tours since there are a limited number of spaces available.  Cost for each tour is $15 per person payable to the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society (or NFHPS), P.O. Box 1945, Niagara Falls, NY 14302-1945.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.  Both tours will take about an hour.

Tickets are selling fast for the Kickoff Reception and the Brunch at the Aquarium…   All other events are free and open to all!    Don’t miss the great weekend of events!

Thursday, June 25

Kick-off Cocktail Reception/Benefit

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Crowne Plaza Hotel

Come sample some of the best of Niagara County wines,

with food prepared by the NCCC Culinary School.

Tickets: $20 in advance, /$25 at the door.

Proceeds to benefit the NCCC Scholarship Fund.

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=71

Friday, June 26

Empower Your Future Job Fair

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Niagara Power Vista

Network with Niagara County employers, attend career

seminars and take in the spectacular views of the Niagara

Gorge. Free

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=63

Art at the NACC

4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Niagara Arts and Cultural Center

The NACC opens its doors to the public with a variety of

cultural experiences. Free

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=67

Niagara Power Baseball

7:00 p.m. - Sal Maglie Stadium

The Niagara Power game will serve as a celebration of

Niagara’s former teams, including the Bisons, Pirates,

Rapids, White Sox and Mallards. Former Major Leaguers

will be on hand to sign autographs.

Game Tickets: $4 adults, $2 children

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=73

Saturday, June 27

Discover Niagara Falls

All day, all over Niagara Falls there will be Historic Tours

of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Bus Tour, Wine Trail Tour,

Mob Tour, and Niagara Falls High School Open House.

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=65

Echota Neighborhood Open House

& Reunion

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hyde Park Blvd/Buffalo Avenue

Bring a dish to pass, network with old friends and check

out the old neighborhood! Free

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=80

Real Estate/Energy Savings Expo

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Doors open at 9:30 - Power Vista, Lewiston

Find out about WNY Real Estate, pick up your list of

Saturday and Sunday Open Houses to tour. Free

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=79

Positively Main Street Festival

12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us on both Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 for

Two Days of Local Talent, Saturday featuring the Junk

Yard Dogs and Sunday featuring Free Henry-Free

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=64

Open Houses hosted by the Buffalo Niagara

Association of Realtors, Open Houses will take place

throughout the region all Saturday and Sunday afternoon,

showcasing Western NewYork’s

extraordinary real estate values.

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=62

Sunday, June 28

Arise & Shine Worship Event

4:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Goat Island

Multiple churches from various denominations will come

together in a communal service as the sun rises over the

incomparable upper Niagara River. Free parking on Goat

Island, Niagara Falls, USA, near Parking Lot #3.

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=69

Brunch at the Aquarium of Niagara

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Aquarium

Capping off four days of fun, the Brunch will showcase

and benefit one of the region’s oldest and most respected

attractions. Catered by Niagara Falls’ own Alps Catering.

Adults: $15, Children 12 & Under: $10.

Proceeds benefit the Aquarium of Niagara.

http://citybration.com/niagara/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=70

Growing up in Niagara County means that you have special memories of the Aquarium of Niagara. The magic of coming there on school field trips is a common memory. So it is fitting that we cap off four days of fun at this long standing Niagara Falls institution. Everybody in WNY loves having Brunch, and Niagara Homecoming is inviting you to join us at the Aquarium for a new twist on an old favorite.

The Aquarium features a bevy of aquatic animals including: California Sea Lions, Peruvian Penguins and Harbour Seals. You’ll delight in the various live shows conducted throughout the day. Why not take in the shark or tidal pool feedings? Your day at the aquarium will be sure to leave you with a smile that will last for days to come.

Join us after the Arise & Shine event and before you head to the festivities at Positively Main Street. The Brunch will showcase and benefit one of the region’s oldest and most respected attractions. Enjoy the exhibits before or after your delicious meal that is catered by Niagara Falls’ own Alps Catering, the menu will feature the usual breakfast favorites along with an assortment of foods indigenous to Western New York including the Alps succulent Beef on Weck.

Proceeds benefit the Aquarium of Niagara.

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Aquarium

Please contact us at niagararises@yahoo.com

On Saturday, June 27, 2009 three distinct tours of Niagara Falls will be offered. All tours will depart from the Burger King parking lot off of the I-190 on Grand Island. They will also depart from downtown Niagara Falls about 30 minutes later.

Pre-booking is suggested. Please email niagararises@yahoo.com for more information.

AMERICAN TOUR (Provided by Niagara Majestic Tours)

This 4-hour tour will take you to view or visit all of the following breathtaking sights in Niagara Falls, NY, USA:

Maid of the Mist Boat Trip
NYS Observation Tower
Cave of the Winds
Upper Niagara River & Rapids
Luna Island, Three Sisters Islands & a view of Goat Island
Horseshoe Falls, American & Bridal Veil Falls
Terrapin Pointe & Prospect Pointe
NYS Parks
NY & Canadian Power Plants
Water Intakes
Old Scow
Robert Moses Parkway
Toronto Power Plant
Whirlpool State Park, Gorge & Whirlpool

$59.00 Adults, $42.95 Children (5-11) *
Children under 5 are Free

Departs
8:00 AM, 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM - from Burger King on Grand Island
8:30 AM, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM - from downtown Niagara Falls

---

The Mob Tours

Welcome to Niagara Falls and the home of the Mafia’s longest reigning, deadliest, most powerful mob boss.

If you think Luciano, Gotti, or Capone was the biggest mobster in America, you’re wrong. Stefano “The Undertaker” Magaddino was more powerful, had a bigger territory and was deadlier than all of them. Magaddino was unlike many mob bosses, yet born of the same mold. Smart, conniving, deceitful, rich, yet he took care of many people in the Niagara Falls area.

This tour will bring you the most accurate information on Magaddino and his crew, including his son Peter, his brother Antonino (Antonio or Nino), and many others who vied to control this mafia family. Covering three countries, five states, and five decades, Big Steve was really the boss of bosses in Cosa Nostra. We will tell you their history as well as law enforcement’s efforts over the years to quash their businesses. Buffalo Police, Niagara Falls Police, New York State Police, and the F.B.I. all had a hand in working against the Magaddino’s.

On this 90-minute guided bus tour in Niagara Falls, will you learn the truth about his life, his legacy, and the F.B.I.’s determined effort to take him out.

Tour cost: Adults, $25.00, Children 5-11, $15.00 and under 5 Free.
Departs 10am, 12noon, 3pm and 5pm from 303 Rainbow Blvd (Daredevil Museum)

---

WINE & DINE TOUR

Beyond the Waterfalls, Niagara is known for its exquisite grapes and the superb wine they produce. Enjoy even more of Niagara!

Scenic Drive Through Niagara County
View of Old Fort Niagara
View of Lake Ontario
Visit THREE of Niagara’s Finest Wineries with Tastings at Each
Lunch at the Wilson Boathouse Overlooking Lake Ontario

$76.50 Adults, $49.95 Children (5-11)
Children under 5 are Free

Departs
12:30 PM - from Burger King on Grand Island
1:00 PM - from downtown Niagara Falls

The Crowne Plaza Ballroom in downtown Niagara Falls, NY is the place to be on June 25,2009

The first Niagara Homecoming Kick-Off Reception begins at 6pm at the Crowne Plaza on 3rd Street in Niagara Falls  with Basket Auction, 50/50 and NCCC Culinary Institute serving food at 3 stations in the ballroom.

5 Niagara Escarpment Wine Trail Wineries will be holding wine tasting throughout the evening.

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards

Freedom Run Winery

Eveningside Vineyards

Warm Lake Estate

Leonard Oaks Estate Winery

6 wine tasting tickets are included in the $20 donation ticket price.

Basket Auction will include donations from:

Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bisons, Lasertron, George Edwards Jewelers, Fortuna’s Restaurant,

Delta Sonic, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, Old Fort Niagara, Darian Lake,

Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises, Maid of the Mist, Arrowhead Spring Vineyards,

Niagara Honeymoon Sweets, Village Bakery, Walmart, NCCC Alumni Foundation and more!

Tickets are $20 advance donation—All Proceeds benefit NCCC Foundation Culinary Scholarships—- $25 at the door.

Roy McDowell will be at the piano for the first hour,  at 7:30 The Impressions will take the stage to perform Swing music from the 20’s, 30’s & 40’s.

Niagara Rises, and Mayor Paul Dyster will present the Volunteer of the Year Award. 

Information to all the Weekend Niagara Homecoming events will be available!  

Tickets are available through, NCCC Culinary Dept., Niagara Rises members, NCCC Alumni Office, or by sending a check to:

Niagara Rises

PO Box 673

Niagara Falls, NY  14302

include your name, address, number of tickets requested and email along with your check made out to: Niagara Rises.   memo check to:  Kick-Off

Post no later than June 15, 2009    Once your check is received, you will receive a confirmation email.  Your name (and number of tickets) will be on a “Paid Reservation List” at the Registration Table outside the Crowne Ballroom.

Please make a copy of the confirmation email and bring it with you to the Kick-Off Reception.

Arts at the NACC

In less than three years, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center has gone from dream to vibrant reality.  Today, in it’s sixth year of operation, the NACC is home to more than 75 artists and arts groups - NY State’s largest gathering of artists under one roof outside of metro New York.

In addition to its artists in residence, the NACC is also home to two theaters, two art galleries, an interactive children’s center - NICE for Kids, and a Niagara Falls High School alumni center

NACC galleries host wide-ranging and ever-changing exhibitions, while our theaters regularly feature a broad variety of musical, theatrical and dance activities.

As an education center, the NACC’s role continues to grow.  Many NACC artists regularly offer classes to the public.  Now, as a 21st Century Community Learning Center, the NACC offers a broad array of art, music and dance classes to area middle and high school students both after school and throughout the summer.

During Niagara Homecoming the NACC is proud to sponsor a program designed to paint a smile on the face of all those who attend.

Agenda for Friday, June 26, 2009

* Two Open Gallery Art Exhibitions (1st Floor & 2nd Floor)

* Wine Bar with Finger Food Items & refreshments

* Gift Shop showcasing art & artistic items for sale

* Theatrical Vignettes in the Woodbox Theater presented by The Western Door Playhouse

* Live guitar music throughout the evening in the Main Gallery on the 1st floor

* Live entertainment (TBD*) in the Grand Theater Auditorium on the 2nd floor

* Souvenir photos for sale of individuals going over the falls in a barrel

Tags: NACC, Niagara Falls, Niagara Homecoming