Let’s face facts, most people will say there are a lot more reasons to stay away from Niagara Falls than there are to move back or remain here.
Potholes and crumbling infrastructure, derelict neighborhoods, poor economy, ever-increasing crime rates and local and state governments that have created their fair share of controversy and blunders over the past several years.
Main Street may never again be what it once was. The Rainbow Mall and Wintergarden, by all accounts, are gone. The Splash Park drowned in the red. The magic and electricity went out on “A Festival of Lights” downtown. Even the Seneca Niagara Casino is losing money, meaning those 97 percent pay-out slot machines may no longer be a good bet.
I could go on but it would only depress us all.
Instead, I’m putting on my rose-colored glasses and devoting my space this week to the positives in recognition of next week’s first-ever Niagara Homecoming event. So here are a few reasons why those who have left us should consider a return trip to “The Falls.”
• For starters, how about the upcoming “citybration” itself. Scheduled to begin next Thursday, the four-day Homecoming event is packed full of activities, tours, entertainment and attractions that highlight the city’s best, including a Positively Main Street Festival that is sure to change at least a few minds about the business district’s future. For all the details, visit www.citybration.com/niagara.
• In highlighting Niagara Homecoming, I would be remiss to not pass along kudos to the main group making it possible — Niagara Rises. Hopefully, you’ve already heard about its mission of restoring Niagara Falls back to its glory years by focusing on the positive. Its next “Still Fallin' for the Falls” happy hour event is Thursday at the Crowne Plaza to help kick-off Niagara Homecoming. The hard work and dedication from the leaders and volunteers of Niagara Rises is nothing short of inspirational, especially to “a lifer” like me who is always asked to explain and justify why I still call Niagara Falls my home.
• It’s all about the music. Though not as popular as Thursday at the Square or Tuesdays in the Park at Artpark, Niagara Falls will once again offer up a strong line-up and mixed variety of free outdoor concerts this summer. Probably the biggest headline announced, so far, is the band Sugar Ray scheduled for July 11 downtown. The performance will be the second of three free concerts being put on by the city and Niagara Falls Hard Rock Cafe.
If you’re looking for something lower key, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will return to the Schoellkopf Park at Pine Avenue and Portage Road on July 1 for a free show. There’s also a variety of other performers on tap from July to August to headline the “Friday at the Falls” and “Sunday on the Steps at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center” concert series, and live music weekly at the gazeboes at Gill Creek Park and at Columbus Square Park.
I’m sure I am missing a concert or two but we’ll be running the complete schedules soon in the Gazette or our weekly Night & Day publication.
• It may not seem like it sometimes, but there’s also a few “must stops” downtown apart from the falls, state park and casino. The new Snow Park is holding an official opening ceremony today and has already attracted positive press and reviews. Maybe it’s not the catalyst many are hoping for but nobody can argue its value as a unique family attraction that you can’t get across the Rainbow Bridge.
And then there’s a visit to the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, ice cream at the Twist of the Mist, lunch at the new Caffe Lola and drinks at Wine on Third just to name a few others.
I could go on but it’s probably more effective to just come home and see for yourself.
Contact reporter Rick Forgione at 282-2311, ext. 2257.
Local News
CITY HALL NOTEBOOK: Come home, please
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