harvest festival

Photos and information from reader Brian Fose:

Darien Center -- The Buffalo-based Zuut Belly Dancers will perform at Six Flags Darien Lake tomorrow (Sept. 21), the last weekend of Harvest Festival.

See them from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Showplace Stage at the park's Beaver Brothers Lakeside Cafe area (next to the Boomerang Roller Coaster). The amusement park is located at 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien Center.

Zuut was founded in 2006. The name of the group combines their mutual love for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Peter Shaffer's "Equus," and the French language.

They currently have fivedancers in the troupe (Mandy, Andrea, Yumi, Sandy & Cassie).

Mandy said they love all of their dances, but think they are especially fond of the "La Résistance" piece in which they wear Guy Fawkes masks and belly dance with double revolvers to the song "Uprising" by Muse.

They offer dance classes at House of Hips at 1863 Clinton St., Buffalo.

Experienced dancers who like to push the boundaries of what belly dance can be and who support and encourage our collective geekiness, silliness, spookiness, and "that what she said" jokes are accepted into their troupe as new members.

They perform mostly at local WNY bars, festivals and events. Their website is here.

In the Six Flags Darien Lake map below, the area where the belly dancers will be performing is circled in red.

Press release:

The days might be turning cooler and children are headed back to school, but The Salvation Army is holding on to the last days of warmth by hosting our Chicken BBQ and Harvest Festival Auction on Saturday.

The Sept. 14th event will take place at The Salvation Army’s facility at 529 E. Main St. in Batavia.

“We have had such a wonderful outpouring of support from the community each year and we are thrilled to see the same positive success again this year,” said Capt. Rachel Moore who, along with her husband, Lt. Bradley Moore, are the local leaders of The Salvation Army of Batavia and Greater Genesee County.

“When we host fundraisers we are generating support for our outreach and programs for children, adults and senior citizens in our area, and we can’t accomplish any of that without help from the community.”

Capt. Moore said that they have already received several donations from local businesses of all kinds including spas, auto shops, restaurants, and car dealerships to be auctioned off during a live auction.

“We also have received a number of gift certificates, appliances and furniture items from local business,” she said. “The items will be a great fit if you're looking for a gift for anyone of any age.”

The Chicken BBQ will be available for $10 between 12 and 4 p.m. with the Silent Auction beginning at 5 p.m. and Live Auction beginning at 6 o'clock.

All ages are welcome for a family friendly event and credit, cash or check payment will be accepted for items bid on during the auction.

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance at our office or at the door.

 “We are so grateful for the support we have already received from the community,” Capt. Moore said. “Participation in the auction will be a wonderful opportunity to support the work of The Salvation Army and help us continue to do the most good throughout Genesee County.”

Capt. Moore and Lt. Moore are excitedly hoping for a wonderful turn out of visitors to the auction and sponsorships range from $25 to $100. To sponsor or donate items for the auction, or for general questions regarding the event, call (585)343-6284 or email rachel.moore@use.salvationarmy.org.

Six Flags Darien Lake’s annual Harvest Festival will be held Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.

It will feature specialty food, beer and entertainment.

They will also be offering an exclusive beer garden with more than a dozen seasonal brews and exquisite culinary creations.

Live music and performers will take the stage for an afternoon of live entertainment and guests can participate in crafts, slides and games.

Harvest Festival activities are included with park admission, but food and beer require an additional fee.

Press release:

As summer comes to an end, Darien Lake is preparing for its third annual Harvest Festival by bringing in local performers, food trucks, crafters and more throughout the park amidst the fall foliage.

Harvest Festival will run the last three weekends in September including these dates 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1, when the park will close for the season. 

Harvest Festival activities that are included with park admission:

• Local Food Trucks including Lloyd’s Taco Truck, Meat the Press and Cheesy Chick
• Stage Entertainment including international bands, local performers and dance groups
• Regional Arts and Craft Vendors
• Ignite the Night Laser show on the lawn Saturdays at 8 p.m.
• Keg Tap and Beer Slides (for ages 21 and up)
• Haymazing Adventure – a fun kids' maze
• Fall-themed food in the park
• Harvest Fest Express hayrides

Vacations guests will have access to special harvest themed activities on Friday evenings before the Festival including: Magical Pumpkin Forest, in which guests will plant seeds at night and then “harvest” their pumpkins in the morning. There will be fall-themed crafts in the hotel, and the movie “Little Rascals” will play on the lawn at 9 p.m.

For more information about participating artists and vendors and to find the lowest rates on Fall Getaway Packages, visithttp://www.darienlake.com/harvest-festival. 

WHEN: Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1

Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.           

Sundays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About Darien Lake

Darien Lake’s wide variety of entertainment has made it “destination fun” since 1964. Located 45 minutes from Niagara Falls between Buffalo and Rochester, today the park boasts more than 50 rides, including six world-class roller coasters; dozens of family-friendly rides and entertainment; the region’s largest water park complete with wave pool; and a 20,000-seat, world-class performing arts center, operated by Live Nation.

The park is open until Oct. 1^st, and welcomes overnight guests in a wide range of accommodations – from a full-service hotel and modern cabins to rental RVs and campsites. For more information or to order season passes, visit www.DarienLake.com

Press release:

As high school students from the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming) region converge on GCC on Thursday, Oct. 20, for the fifth annual Harvest Festival and Farmer's Market, the general public is also welcome to the yearly event for a cornucopia of delicious delights.

Students explore the many local career opportunities available in agribusiness in the Conable Technology Building, while locally produced products from maple syrup to freshly grown fruits and vegetables will once again be available to purchase from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.in the William W. Stuart Forum. The Harvest Festival is free and open to the public at the GCC Batavia campus.

Agribusiness professionals from the GLOW area begin the day with 20-minute, mini presentations running concurrently from 9 – 11 a.m. and 12 – 12:45 p.m. The presentations focus on food processing, technology and the many career opportunities from the following presenters:

• Gina Lee, Finger Lakes Community College Wine Technology Program

• Todd Hofheins, Maple Moon, Attica

• Jeremy Liles, Oliver's Chocolates, Batavia

• Holly Partridge, Farm to Table, Genesee Valley Education Partnership, Batavia Campus

• Peter Metzler, Porter Farms CSA, Elba

Finger Lakes Community College, Cornell University and SUNY Alfred State will also be on hand to offer guidance for completing a degree in an agribusiness-related field.

Children and animal enthusiasts will once again be delighted by a small petting zoo, hosted by the GCC Veterinary Technology Club and located on the east lawn of the campus from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

All attendees are also invited to participate in a collective Campus "Crunch" at 12:45 p.m. in the Forum. Across the state, a number of private and public colleges and universities participate in the "New York Campus Crunch." Together, they will bite into an apple simultaneously to affirm their commitment to food that is healthy for people and the planet and celebrating New York's being the second-largest apple-producing state in the United States. GCC will conduct its "crunch" at the Harvest Festival and a free delicious apple will be provided for those that wish to take part.

"With so much going on, Harvest Fest has something for everyone," said Festival co-coordinator and GCC Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Programs assistant Lindsay Carney.

"In addition to local artisan food, drink and products, visitors can learn about careers in agribusiness, which include marketing, social media, accounting and technology. Much more than traditional farming field positions. Of course, at this time of year, we again excited to welcome another great group of vendors who will offer some of the very best local products," Carney said.

Vendors who plan to attend include:

• Harrington's, Batavia – vegetables and fruits

• Harper Hill Farms, Darien – goat milk soaps

• Hill 'n' Hollow, Pavilion – chutneys and vinegars

• Maple Moon Farms, Attica – maple syrup

• Once Again Nut Butter, Nunda – butters and honey

• Mama Bucks, Dansville – brittles

New to the Harvest Fest this year will be exhibits by Genesee County Park, BCA Ag Technologies, CY Farms, Provitello and USDA-NRCS. They will join a host of other local businesses that will have displays students can explore in the Forum, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County Soil and Water, Oxbo International, Perry's Ice Cream and Upstate Niagara Milk Cooperative.

Genesee Community College hosted a Harvest Festival today with vendors, speakers and agri-business displays. Students could explore opportunities in the agri-business field and speak with potential employers as well as purchase farm-fresh produce.