First it was Bidwell Parkway. Then it was Larkinville. The third Buffalo Reading Invasion is scheduled to be held at the western edge of Gala Waters (Hoyt Lake) from 4pm – 5pm on Saturday September 22nd (nearest to the Albright Knox). This is apropos considering it’s coming off the heals of the hugely successful Music is art festival. Actually, while attending MiA, I found myself wondering why more events aren’t held at the lakeside concourse next to Delaware Park’s Gala Waters. Back in the day this was a central location for all sorts of public gatherings year ’round.
Today there are boating opportunities offered by the Maritime Center. And there are plenty of weddings and a smattering of events (including MiA). But in general this is a fairly underutilized area, especially knowing the history of the site – and considering the close proximity to the Albright-Knox and the history museum. Can you imagine if the missing Calvert Vaux band stand was to be replaced? Here’s a post that shows just what sort of structure was once located at Gala Waters. Here’s what the scene once looked like when the band stand was in place.
Social gatherings such as the Buffalo Reading Invasion are ways to bring some people to places that they might not normally go. The more programmed activity that we see on a regular basis, the more that people will understand the importance of these historic sites. So bring a chair, a blanket, a picnic, and of course a book to Gala Waters on Saturday September 22nd and enjoy the surroundings of the Olmsted Parks System as so many others have before us.
Buffalo Reading Invasion (Facebook)