716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes, and Signers

UPDATE: Due to the forecast for severe weather, including heavy rain and the potential for thunderstorms and lightning, Erie County and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park have made the difficult decision to postpone tomorrow’s 716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes & Signers event.

While we are disappointed to make this call, the safety of our attendees, volunteers, vendors, performers, and staff must come first. We also want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to fully enjoy this special celebration.

Save the date for Labor Day weekend on September 5 and 6 as we work to reschedule this event. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to celebrating with you later this summer.

716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes & Signers transforms Buffalo’s waterfront into a full day patriotic festival experience honoring America’s 250th Anniversary. Made possible through the tremendous support and leadership of the New York State America 250 Commission and Erie County’s America 250 initiative, and the City of Buffalo, the event reflects a major regional investment in history, civic pride, tourism, and community celebration.

1. LEARN – Hangar Building

Explore America’s story through engaging exhibits and presentations by historians, educators, and experts inside the Hangar Building throughout the afternoon and evening.

• 4:00 PM – Recreating & Rediscovering the Seneca Chief
  • John Montague
• 4:30 PM – Historic Vessels & Modern Lessons: Teaching with the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief
  • Chelsea Moore
• 5:00 PM – Meet Buffalo’s Past
  • Forest Lawn Permanent Residents
• 5:30 PM – Building Buffalo’s African American Community in the Shadow of the Erie Canal
  • Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold
• 6:00 PM – The U.S. Navy at 250
  • Shane Stephenson
• 6:30 PM – America 250: The Haudenosaunee and the American Founding
  • Melissa Leonard

All Day

• New York State Parks 250 Exhibit
• Declaration of Independence Interactive Display

2. CELEBRATE – Canalside & Main Stage

Experience live music, patriotic performances, inspiring ceremonies, and a spectacular waterfront fireworks display during an unforgettable evening on the Main Stage. Also on display is the “We the People” A Patchwork of Our Community Quilt Project made possible by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. 

• 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Sunday Social at Canalside
• 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM – Explore & More Children’s Museum is Open
• 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Buffalo Heritage Carousel at Canalside is Open
• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Open Tours & Dockside Demonstrations at Buffalo Maritime Center’s Erie Canal Boat “Seneca Chief” at the Commercial Slip
• 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Waterway of Change Exhibit Open at The Longshed
• 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
  • “We the People” A Patchwork of Our Community Quilt Project

Main Stage

• 7:30 PM – Erie County Fair All-Star Band
• 8:00 PM – Opening Ceremony
  • Reading of the Declaration of Independence
  • Remarks
• 8:30 PM – Musical Performance by Avalanche, the 10th Mountain Division Rock Band
• 9:30 PM – Fireworks on the Waterfront

3. DISCOVER– Naval Park Grounds

Encounter living history with military reenators, live amateur radio, cultural performances celebrating our nation’s heritage, and enjoy a special tour of the E.M. Cotter Fireboat.

• E.M. Cotter Fireboat Tour (ticket required)
  • 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • last ticket sold at 6:30 PM
• Military Reenactors & Living History
• Radio Association of Western New York

Cultural Stage

• 4:00 PM – She Drums Drum Circle
• 4:15 PM – Bangladesh Folk Dance & Fanghua Dance Group
• 4:35 PM – Nusantara Arts
• 4:50 PM – Grace Tiedemann Peacock Dance
• 5:00 PM – JGB Shibuki Taiko Drumming
• 6:00 PM – Devi Performing Arts (Bollywood Dance)
• 6:30 PM – Gaëni:yo Indigenous Singers and Dancers

4. TASTE – Naval Park Grounds

Savor the flavors of America with diverse local food vendors showcasing culinary traditions inspired by the cultures that built our nation.