A Niagara homecoming

<table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Michele Deluca</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:michele.deluca@niagara-gazette.com">michele.deluca@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

June 25, 2009 09:51 am

— Those who love Niagara Falls are being called out to spend the next four days celebrating its many unique charms at the first Niagara Homecoming.
The event is being held simultaneously with the four-year-old Buffalo Homecoming under the new shared name of “Citybration.”
“It’s going to be awesome,” said Colleen Kulikowski, a real estate agent and co-planner for the Niagara region activities who said the events will have the flavor of a high school homecoming where alumni return to share memories and enjoy what their former alma mater has to offer.
“We’re really proud of the kick-off reception,” she said of the event which begins at 6 p.m. today at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Niagara County Community College culinary students will provide food for the event and proceeds will go towards a culinary scholarship at the school.
The other events planned for the long weekend are “quintessential Niagara Falls,” she said, including a huge block party in the Echota neighborhood.
The Niagara region events include:

Thursday
Kick-off cocktail reception/benefit
6-10 p.m. Crowne Plaza Hotel. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Friday
Job Fair
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Networking and seminars.
Niagara Power Vista

Art at the NACC
4-9 p.m. Open house at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center with gallery exhibits and “cultural experiences.” Free.
Niagara Power Baseball
7 p.m. Sal Maglie Stadium.
Niagara Power Game and autographs by members of former Niagara teams including the Bisons, Pirates, Rapids, Mallards and White Sox.

Saturday
Discover Niagara Falls Tours
The Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society will hold two tours including: 10 a.m. Victorian House Walking Tour and at 2 p.m., a “1920’s Tour.” Call 205-0287 for details.
Some of the other tours include the Niagara Wine and Dine Tour, “Mob” history tours; a four-hour American tour, and Niagara Falls High School tours.

Echota Neighborhood Open House and Reunion
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hyde Park Boulevard and Buffalo Ave. Bring a dish to pass. Free.

Real Estate/Energy Expo
9:30 a.m. to noon, Niagara Power Vista.
Find out about area real estate and pick up free list of Saturday and Sunday open houses. Free.

Positively Main Street Festival
Noon to 8 p.m. Main Street.
Street festival featuring music by the Junk Yard Dogs.
sunday

Arise and Shine Worship Event
4:30-6:30 a.m.
Multiple churches from various denominations will hold a communal worship service with music as the Sunday rises on Goat Island. Free.

Positively MainStreet Festival
Noon to 8 p.m. Main Street.
Street festival featuring music by Free Henry.
For more information, including a list of events taking place in Buffalo, visit www.citybration.com or call 990-1910 for more information.

Brunch at the Aquarium
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Catered by Alps Catering.
Adults, $15; Children 12 and under, $10.