Boom Town
Buffalo’s “Boom Days” celebrates the arrival of spring
 Spring is upon us and Buffalo is rejoicing the arrival in one of the United States’ most unique festivals. The fourth annual “Boom Days” will be celebrating spring from April 13th thru April 15th. The weekend long event marks the coming of spring and playfully celebrates the annual removal of Buffalo’s ice boom.
Ice Boom??? Huh?
Each year, the New York State Power Authority and the Ontario Power Generation prevent the build up of Lake Erie ice at the source of the Niagara River by using an 8,800-foot-long “ice boom” which is made up of steel pontoons that are linked together and anchored on the bottom of the river by divers. The ice boom keeps ice from clogging the hydro-power intakes 16 miles downriver in Niagara Falls. Once the weather starts turning warmer, the ice boom is removed from the Niagara River. To many in the Buffalo Niagara region, this is the symbolic start to spring. BoomDays celebrates this lifting of the ice boom with feast, festivities and live music.
“Boomers,” as event participants are called, travel the Buffalo Niagara region taking in all that the area has to offer and festivities that stretch from downtown Buffalo all the way to Old Fort Niagara. Participating “Ports” include: Buffalo Brewpub, Flying Bison Brewing Co., Buffalo Launch Club, Youngstown Yacht Club, and eight other local pubs and boating clubs.
For additional information visit www.boomdays.com.
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