This summer, take advantage of all Erie County has to offer

Guest editorial by Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa Chimera

In Buffalo and Erie County, we are fortunate to have great cultural, educational and recreational institutions. As we approach the end of the school year, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight ways for families to take advantage of these spaces during the summer months.

First, I remind everyone that, in July, our nation will celebrate its 250th birthday – or semiquincentennial. America 250 will be celebrated nationwide, including here in Erie County. You can check out what’s going on locally at www.eriecounty250.com. But be sure to check back regularly for newly added events!

In the meantime, you can get involved now by making a 9-inch-by-9-inch fabric square (sewn or constructed using glue) for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s “We the People” community quilt project.

And children are invited to participate, too! Throughout the rest of this month and June, Explore & More Children’s Museum will offer quilt workshops for children ages 5 through 10 at BECPL branches. For specific dates and times, visit www.buffalolib.org/whats-happening. A quilt of these unique fabric squares will be sewn together in August.

With 37 branches and the Library on Wheels Bookmobile, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library stretches across our entire community. Membership is free to residents of New York. And, your library card also serves as your ticket to special deals through the VIP (very important pass) program. Just show your library card to receive special deals at any of the 2026 VIP program participants, including:

• Buffalo AKG Art Museum
• The Buffalo History Museum
• Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
• Buffalo Museum of Science
• Buffalo Naval Park
• Buffalo Spree Magazine
• Explore & More – Children’s Museum
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff
• Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
• Irish Classical Theatre Co.
• Just Buffalo Literary Center
• Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
• Road Less Traveled Theater
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Visit a branch to apply or visit www.buffalolib.org/library-cards.

For a day of outdoor fun, consider visiting one of Erie County’s parks or forestry areas. With miles of trails for hiking and biking, tennis courts and picnic areas, there is so much to explore. Additionally, our park rangers have been working hard to put on a full calendar of programs and activities for the upcoming season. You can view the full schedule and more by visiting www.erie.gov/parks/events.

For working families, Erie County is proud to support summer camp programs through both Say Yes Buffalo and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo. Camps provide children with the opportunity to take part in arts and crafts, outdoor activities and other educational experiences. Registration is still open, but spots are filling fast! More information is available at www.sayyesbuffalo.org/summer and at www.bgcbuffalo.org.

I wish all our families, students, teachers, and school staff a wonderful end to their academic year and look forward to a wonderful and historic summer in Erie County.