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September 8, 2009

Buffalo Wing Festival 2009

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We woke up this morning feeling excited to head out.  I had been talking about eating Buffalo Wings for days and days, and thus had managed to build up an appetite for it as well.  Aside from my 11 year old son, my younger children had no idea, nor did they care, about what all the fuss was about.

We made our way to the awesome Coca Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons, and where they were having the 8th Annual Buffalo Wing Festival.  It was early afternoon, barely 12:00 but already the lines were long and the sun was hot.  But the smell of sauces  and BBQ was in the air, which made everyone excited even more.

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We walked in and there were stands all around this massive field. But we were already feeling a bit hot, so we made our way to the beer tent for some refreshments, yes, it was a bit early to be drinking beer for us, but this was a special occasion.  My husband couldn’t have been happier.

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It wasn’t cheap.  Basically you buy sheets of 10 tickets, a dollar each.  The stand charge about $2-$4 for two-three wings.  But we bought 30 tickets and forged ahead, we were going to make the best of it!  Our first stop though was not to try chicken wings, but rather spare ribs.  Not just any ribs, but Lafayette Tap Room ribs. I know, I know…what are they doing there?  But, they claimed when we asked them that they were so good and had won so many awards that the Buffalo Wing Festival Committee begged them to join.  We were skeptical heaing all those big claims, but we tried them.  They were fabulous!!

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Afterwards, we headed over to the Anchor Bar stand.  Anchor Bar is best known for its wings, and for the fact that they invented the Buffalo Wing.  We couldn’t wait to try them. We did and were not impressed.  They were “ok”.  I couldn’t believe it!  These were the people who invented the stuff, how could it be?

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We kept making our rounds by all of the stands, taking breaks, drinking “pop” (that’s what they call soda in Buffalo, NY), and eating wings.  The little ones had other treats and we enjoyed some of the entertainment like the “Chicken Run”, which were these guys dressed up as chickens racing, and the watching the judges taste the different wings and sauces in that were at the event.

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At one point though, I looked down at what must’ve been my 10th wing and my stomach turned.  Not because it wasn’t delicious, but because it was so hot, and I was so full, that I couldn’t bring myself to eat another bite.  My 11 year old and my husband kept at it like real troopers that they are, and yet, there I was, the one who claimed I would eat a million wings on this very day, feeling weak at the site on wing number 11. I did go for one last bite, you know, for the sake of tasting and providing my darling readers with an honest review of course, and that was for the Hurricane Wings, and because my husband, after tasting them insisted I try them.  They were, of all the wings we ate at this event, the absolute best. In the end, I washed it all down with one last beer and threw in the towel.

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IMG_2514The event was fun in some ways.  We tasted a lot of wings, and were lucky to have gotten there when it just started because it by the time we were ready to leave it was crowded and the lines were very long.  What wasn’t fun about it was the intense heat and sun just beating on you.  They don’t have tents for you to hang out, unless it’s the beer tent, and unless you brought a portable chair, you had to go to the stadium seats, far away from all the action, to get some rest off your feet.  All in all though, we enjoyed it.  They had other treats too, like fresh watermelons, and popcorn, even free wine tasting which was wonderful. Hubby even got to get his picture taken with the local female Roller Derby team, The Suicidal Saucies.

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If you’ve never been to The Annual Buffalo Wing Festival, I think that it’s something to try, at least once with the family, unless of course, eating buffalo wings is not your thing. And if you do go, get there as soon as the event starts, come with an appetite, some cold water, and cash.  They do not accept credit card, nor is their a cash machine near by.

Update: Not believing that Anchor Bar didn’t have good wings, we gave it another try, this time we headed to Anchor Bar directly.  The owners were there, wonderful, lovely people, the bar was packed.  My husband ordered a Guiness and talked about Ireland with the bartender while waiting for the order.

In short, the wings rocked!  So much better than at the festival.  We loved them…and they deliver anywhere! Hurricane Wings still remain a favorite though, because they have a better variety of sauces and flavors, which Anchor Bar, sadly, does not.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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3 Comments
  • ciara
    September 8, 2009

    not all wings are created equal that's for sure! i know that my family would have loved an event like that. we're all fan of wings…my husband probably would have tore up some ribs, too. lol

    Reply
  • Beth
    September 14, 2009

    I'm glad you got over to Buffalo and that Anchor Bar redeemed themselves selves! I must say that while they have the original sauce I agree that there are better wings to be found around the city and in the outskirts. I hope you got to some other spots in and around Buffalo.

    Reply
  • "Just Rocks and Water" at Niagara Falls, NY | Traveling Mom
    September 17, 2009

    […] my family and I traveled to Upstate NY.  We were looking forward to taking part in the Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY followed by a visit to Niagara Falls State […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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