Buffalo Rising Online

Mar 6th 2008, 3:46pm By queenseyes

For four days in June Buffalonians will be coming together to celebrate what has now become known as Buffalo Homecoming (formerly Buffalo Old Home Week). Just yesterday organizers and supporters came together at The Statler to talk about the event that is designed to bring expats back. The goal? It's to be a word of mouth... or email... campaign. Simple. Get thousands of Buffalonians to reach out to their friends and family from around the world. Ask them to come back for four days in June to learn about the city... to revisit their favorite memories and explore the latest developments.

In past years the organizers have been successful in capitalizing on activities such as career fairs, happy hours, concerts, tours, art-related activities and the famous wrap-up brunch. This is a time when Buffalonians open their homes to friends and family that may have been looking at a reason to come back for a visit... and maybe even an extended stay. Organizations and businesses from around the region are teaming up to participate in this year's four-day gala. I hope that the boats are out on Hoyt Lake and the Erie Basin Tower Beach are open by then.

There is an extensive website dedicated to the affair... click here to check out the details. Make sure that you register while you're there. Fifteen students from the Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management will help to make sure that the event goes off without a hitch. Event organizer, Marti Gorman (photo), has been teaching a class at the college - the course has been based on organizing a massive Buffalo Homecoming event... specifically how to orchestrate all of the details that go into such an undertaking. Talk about real world experience (and pressure).

The City has voiced its support and so have organizations like the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE). And that's not to mention the numerous businesses and organizations that are also contributing to the ongoing success of the venture. Here are just some of the events that visitors can attend during those four days.

Thursday, June 26 - Eat Your Heart Out, Buffalo

Friday, June 27 - Business Buffalo: Ask the CEO & Career Fair | Arts in the Park Happy Hour

Saturday, June 28 - Tours, Tours, Tours | Downtown Housing Tour | Buffalo Homecoming Concert

Sunday, June 29 - Sunday Brunch | From the Heart of Buffalo Fair