By Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera

Here in Western New York, we treasure our summer months, and each year the calendar quickly fills up with festivals, concerts and fairs. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Earlier this month, we celebrated our historic art gallery, and the debut of the Jeffrey E. Gundlach building with a ribbon cutting on the new Great Lawn. Rebranded as the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the Knox Gallery is now free of charge, allowing for all in our community to experience a world-class collection.

The Buffalo Science Museum and Explore & More Children’s Museum are both great options for a day of fun and interactive learning! Our Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Summer Reading Contest – All Together Now – is back, and ready for kid, teen and adult readers to start logging books for a chance to win exciting prizes! Go to becplny08.readsquared.com to register, or buffalolib.org/whats-happening for the full event and program calendar.

As you may have noticed while driving through North Buffalo, Zoomagination is back this year at the Buffalo Zoo. The large-scale animal sculptures and lanterns offer a unique after-dark experience that runs all summer long. In addition to new displays featuring this year’s themes; florals, under the sea and landmarks of the world, there will also be performances on the newly built stage.

If you’re looking to get out into nature, the Erie County Parks Department has partnered with the NFTA to offer free rides to parks all summer long. Go to metro.nfta.com/programs/ parks-adventure-bus to check out this year’s schedule.

Another great program back again this year, is our Erie Grown Passport contest. To print or download your passport, visit erie.gov/eriegrown. Points are awarded for each farm or farm-related business you visit, with the chance to win great prizes. This is a wonderful way to support our farmers and local agrobusiness. Be sure to use the hashtag #eateriegrown on social media!

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Hawk Creek Wildlife Center. Located in West Falls, it is one of the largest raptor centers in the Northeast. Bring the kids for a day of conservation education, then come back for the adults only Wild Brews event on Aug. 5.

Also open for the season is the Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve. A true geological treasure located in the Town of Hamburg, the park offers single-day admission as well as annual memberships. Kids of all ages will have a blast searching for fossils that show what Earth was like 380 million years ago! Staff can help to collect and identify a fossil, which is yours to take home.

Lastly, we are all counting down to the Best 12 Days of Summer, as the Erie County Fair returns for its 183rd year. Come enjoy rides, food and entertainment starting on Aug. 9. Sensory-friendly hours will be offered again this year from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The newly constructed Sensory Room, located on the first level of the Security Building, will also be open throughout the fair.

I look forward to warm weather, celebrations and fun over the next few months, and wish everyone a happy and safe summer!