Things to do this weekend in Western New York

Below you will find an overview of some of the events taking place this weekend.

Mafia boat parade. Sunday, September 1st from 12:00pm to 3:30pm along the Buffalo River at Canalside.

Don your Buffalo Bills best, sit back, and enjoy the parade from a spot at Canalside where you can watch boats, also adorned with Bills colors, navigate a route down the Buffalo River. Listen for the foghorn to signal the start of the parade. The event is organized by Buffalo Bills fans to support local charities, including Oishei Children’s Hospital. This year, it’s supporting the Firefighter Arno Memorial Fund. As organizers say, the Mafia Boat Parade is “a celebration of the Bills 2024 season, a gathering of Bills fans, and a way to give back to Buffalo.” The viewing party at Canalside will feature food trucks, vendors, music, and a beer garden.

Buffalo German party. Friday, August 30 from 5:30pm to 10pm and Saturday, August 31 from noon to 9pm at Cheektowaga Town Park, 2600 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga.

Kick off Oktoberfest in August with this event celebrating all things German. (Where else would you find a sauerkraut eating contest?) The festival, which began in 1982, keeps cultural traditions alive through authentic music, dance, food, drink, and literature. The German American Musicians perform on Friday. On Saturday, the Polka Boyz play from 1 to 4 p.m., and the Bergolz German Band from 5 to 9 p.m. Other activities include a stein-hoisting contest, Bavarian dancing, and a European car and motorcycle show. Admission is $5; children 12 and under are free.

Ellicottville Arts and Crafts Market. Saturday, August 31 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, September 1 from 10am to 4pm in Ellicottville.

Meet the artists and purchase new art for your home or unique gifts at this second annual event held on the lawn of the 1887 Building on Route 219 in the heart of the charming village of Ellicottville. This juried show features works by more than 20 artists and craftspeople from New York State and Pennsylvania in media including drawing, metal, leather, photography, wood and pottery. It is held rain or shine. Visit evlartshow.com.

National Buffalo Wing Festival. Saturday, August 31 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday, September 1 from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park.

Get ready to dive into 63 new flavors of wings at the annual Wingfest event, featuring 25 food vendors serving up tasty creations. There will be food contests, music and other activities, all within the stadium entrance (you’ll still be allowed onto the field for photos). Vote for the new People’s Choice Award by simply scanning a QR code at the vendor booths. Admission is $20 general, $75 VIP; kids 8 and under are free. Parking is included; wing tickets are additional. A full list of activities, vendors and wing sauces can be found online at buffalowing.com.

The Buffalo Jazz Festival. 12:30pm to 7:30pm Sunday, September 1st outside the Richardson Olmsted Campus, 444 Forest Ave.

Here’s another event celebrating Buffalo’s rich jazz history, and this one will take place against the backdrop of the Richardson Hotel Buffalo and the South Lawn. “What makes the Buffalo Jazz Festival so special is its ability to bring the community together in a shared love of jazz and the city of Buffalo. It’s a time for friends, families and music lovers to come together, connect and celebrate the richness of jazz and Buffalo’s vibrant culture,” organizers say. The free festival will feature music starting at approximately 1 p.m. with Vibrant Strings, followed by Jay Sharp-tet, My Cousin Toné, Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble and the Fredtown Stompers. Join in on the free dance lessons offered by Calvin Rice (salsa) and Swing Buffalo (swing).

Labor Day Weekend Festival. Friday, August 30th through Monday, September 2nd along Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls.

This annual four-day event returns to Old Falls Street with family activities, live entertainment, music, backyard board games and food trucks. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon-6 p.m. Monday.

Hartman’s Distilling Co. (55 Chicago St.) will host its fourth annual Bourbon, Blues & BBQ event on Saturday, August 31 at 3 p.m. Music is by River Dogs Blues Band and Jony James Band. Barbecue is by Southern Junction.

Trinidad Neighborhood Association Annual Community Days is from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 31 at Trinidad Park, 40-22 Trinidad Place. The free community event includes a barbecue, activities for kids (including a bouncy castle) and adults (step class). Plus, popcorn, cotton candy, an ice cream truck and a backpack raffle. The Buffalo Fire Department will provide tours in fire trucks.

Cami Clune Performs Taylor Swift as the backdrop for Sunday Brunch from 12:00 to 15:00 on Sunday, September 1 at Hofbrauhaus Buffalo, 190 Scott St. Expect music, friendship bracelets, dancing and a photo booth.

Author Ken Crippen will give a lecture on the Buffalo Bills from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Buffalo History Museum. The author and sports historian will delve deep into the history of the Buffalo Bills to discuss the team’s formation in the All-American Football Conference and efforts to get the Bills into the NFL in 1950. He’ll also share memorable games, plays and players from that era. Crippen is the author of “The Original Buffalo Bills: A History of the All-America Football Conference Team (1946-1949)” and co-editor of “The All-America Football Conference: Players, Coaches, Records, Games and Awards.” Admission is $10 and free for History Museum members.