Last year, for the first time in Buffalo, a very special grassroots festival was held on the West Side. The Burmese Water Festival (Thingyan) is the celebration of Burma’s New Year, and is traditionally held over a three day period. Last year, a thousand people ended up participating in the one-day celebration, and this year organizers are anticipating an even larger turnout.
On July 26th from 11am to 6pm, the community is invited to come celebrate the Burmese New Year. Activities at the festival include dancing and music, as well as traditional water-related “blessings”, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting a little wet! Water sprinkling, throwing and sometimes dousing is par for the course.
The all-ages event also serves up traditional foods and plenty of ethnic dress, since the organizers are all from the local Burmese community. The Buddhist festival takes place on Grant Street between West Ferry and Hampshire in front of the West Side Bazaar.
2nd Annual Burmese Water Festival
Date: July 26th 2014
Time: 11am-6pm
Place: Grant Street (between W. Ferry & Hampshire)
Event Sponsors: Journey’s End, West Side Bazzar, Sun International, Golden Burma Asia Market, David Rivera (Niagara District Common Council Member), Joseph Golombek Jr. (North District Council Member)