Buffalo's annual summertime salute to Italian heritage will have a new home this year, on Buffalo's Outer Harbor. The festival, which draws tens of thousands of people to Hertel Avenue - the Queen City's version of Little Italy - celebrated its 29th year in North Buffalo last year.  The Italian Heritage Festival originally started on Connecticut Street before moving to Hertel where it has grown in popularity over the years.

Dates for the festival will remain the same during the middle of July, but the new location will offer opportunities for more events and larger concerts. In addition, the Outer Harbor location provides more parking spaces.  Residents and businesses in the Hertel Avenue neighborhood complained parking issues in that area are very difficult during the festival, to the point where some businesses have to close for the week.