Memories From Buffalo's Past; Anticipating its Future

Two local organizations are teaming up to bring some holiday cheer to Buffalo. The Rotary Club of Buffalo and the Theatre District Association of Western New York have teamed up to revive those old-fashioned holidays when thousands of shoppers came to downtown Buffalo to press their noses against the elaborately animated window displays at AM&A’s department store. From November 20 through January 11, Main Street (between Tupper and Chippewa streets) will be lined with more than 20 vintage Christmas window displays from AM&A’s as part of a family-oriented attraction called “Magical Memories on Main Street.” The event will be highlighted with the annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting at Rotary Rink (40 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo) on December 4 at 3 p.m.

 “As Rotary celebrates our 100^th Year of Service to the community, we wanted to help generate activity in and around the Theatre District in a fun and nostalgic way that families could enjoy together during this holiday season,” said Buffalo Rotary President Charles Martorana.

The AM&A’s window displays are from the 1930s-1950s and have been painstakingly restored to their winter wonderment with a $10,000 grant from the Buffalo Rotary Foundation. This year’s Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting will feature a 40’ tree, free ice skating at Rotary Rink, horse and wagon rides, fireworks over Fountain Plaza, restaurant specials, and a visit from Santa Claus.