If there’s one thing in Buffalo that we all enjoy, it’s taking a rose-colored look back to our city’s glorious past.  If there’s a second thing we all enjoy, it’s celebrating the Queen City’s proud ethnic heritage.  If there is yet a third thing that we, as a community, all enjoy, it’s getting crazy drunk.  This fall, there will be ample opportunities to take pleasure in each of these pursuits.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, our good friends at the Central Terminal will host Buffalo Oktoberfest, a traditional Munich-style celebration of good food, ample drink and the German immigrants who once comprised one-third of the city’s population.  Oktoberfest at the Central Terminal will begin at 4 p.m. and run through 11 p.m.  Musical headliners are The Frankfurters—they’re like The Beatles of the local German show band circuit!  Admission is $10, but it’s free if you come in costume—so dust off the lederhosen, gents.

Are you familiar with Forgotten Buffalo?  It’s a tour group (and web site) led by historical maestros Marty Biniasz and Eddy Dobosiewicz that explores some of Buffalo’s hidden gems—the old-school neighborhoods, gin mills, restaurants and other attractions that were once part of the city’s rich cultural fabric.  Forgotten Buffalo tours sell out fast (four of their next eight tours through the end of the year are already booked) but you can still get tickets to the Ethnic Clubs and Societies—swank joints like the Buffalo Club and Saturn Club—slated for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.  E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 716-833-5211 for details and availability. Current tours cost $45 per person.

It’s not all about the Germans in weeks ahead, however.  On Saturday, October 15th, Forgotten Buffalo & Dyngus Day Buffalo will partner with St. Stanislaus Church, “The Mother Church of Buffalo Polonia,” to bring polka “supergroup” Full Circle to the historic St. Stan’s Social Center.

As Dyngus Day Buffalo notes, “We will turn back the hands of time to the 1960s for this classic Eastside polka party featuring four members of the Polka Hall of Fame - Lenny Gomulka, Al Piatkowski, Jimmy Weber, Mike Matousek and polka veterans Mike Stapinski & Roger Malinowski. Enjoy authentic music, Polish food, beer and spirits in one of Buffalo’s most storied neighborhoods.”

This event will go down on from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 at St. Stan’s Social Center (389 Peckham Street).  Admission is $10.  Enjoy!