Taste of Diversity

I love these kind of local events. Bringing together all sorts of vendors from the area, highlighting some of the great ethnic food we have, in a family friendly environment, even on a wet rainy day.
On Grant by Sweetness 7 café, they closed the street street, and about 20 tents were put up. You buy tickets at a dollar each and use those instead of cash at the vendors tables. The goods varied from 1 to 8 tickets.
The vendors I remember were Pure Peru, Lucy’s, Jolie’s Dumplings, and xxx BBQ. The BBQ place is actually a small store already on Grant. There was a table for a group that plans to open a «pay what you can» place, which exists in other cities already.
Some covered areas to eat, which was great in the rain, and live music rounded out the event.
Alex had dropped off some Unilocal rain ponchos early and they were much appreciated.
Hopefully next year will be sunny, but either way this was well worth the visit.

Even though the weather did not cooperate those of us who geared up for the rain enjoyed the food offered at the Diversity Festival on Grant Street. Sampled great tastes from Abyssinian Ethiopian, Jolie’s Handmade Dumplings, Frank J’s ribs, Empanada and Arepas from Columbia (the arepas divine) and Pastillos from Puerto Rico. Sorry but could not get to all the stands. If you missed it visit the restaurants that participated, they were kind and happy to share their ethnic foods even though it was wet, wet, wet. THANK YOU Unilocal for the Rainy Day Superhero Kits (to activate the power to banish wet-​weather boredom!). They were evident everywhere.

It’s official: I attended my first (of hopefully many) Taste of Diversity!
The Taste of Diversity on Grant Street was a privilege to attend; not too big, not too small. There were a variety of vendors ranging from restaurants to services and educational groups — and an even wider variety of folks attending the event. I love diversity.
I particularly liked the Taste of Diversity for the following reasons:
–Able to experience restaurants and businesses I would not have otherwise ventured to
–Amazing food and people
–Ample parking
–DIVERSITY!!!
–I even won a raffle :)
While I would love to see more vendors in the future, I enjoyed the intimacy of the event and crowd. Bravo — looking forward to next year!

This is the type of festival that makes me love living in Buffalo. Smaller and less congested than others and with more diversity (of course), this was a great way to spend an afternoon. From Auburn to Lafayette, you may enjoy performances, goods and food from many cultures to include: Ethiopian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Peruvian, African, Puerto Rican, and samples from other local businesses. If you have yet to attend, be sure to treat yourself next year. I really think that this one will become my new favorite festival.
Check out my pics from this event for some highlights!

This was my fourth year attending the festival and it was a lot of fun! There were a large variety of vendors and I tried Abyssinian Ethiopian and Pure Peru. The tamales were full of peanuts so if you have a nut allergy, beware! The chicha morada and tamales are a must-​try. Chicha morada is a drink made from purple corn and is sweet and refreshing. I liked it so much I got two cups of it. It’s similar to passion fruit tea from Starbucks. I also had a cup of Public Espresso’s cold drip coffee and it was super smooth and delicious!
I would have tried even more food but I was food drunk at the end of my excursion. The performances were great, especially the drummers.
Parking aplenty near the festival.

This was my third year attending the Taste of Diversity and I can’t believe how much it has grown. It has moved from Lafayette to Grant and had more vendors than every before, including two that haven’t even opened to the public yet.
It was awesome seeing the Unilocal table out there with free lip balm, ponchos, and portraiture.
There were tons of vendors, lots of food, several nonprofit organizations and a table selling t-​shirts. All the food is purchased with tickets, which are $ 1 each.
There were several vendors with vegan options, but the food is mostly meat or has fish sauce/​shrimp paste, etc. For veg*n options, check out Lucy Ethiopian, Press, Jewel of India and Gypsy Parlor.
There was break dancing for most of the day and a stage with performers singing and dancing for the full 8 hours.
I hear next year, they may book the #1 recording artist for Niger, so be sure to check back in 2014!

When I went to the Taste of Diversity, there were bellydancers all over trying to harass my boyfriend so I had to fight them off with a stick! Just kidding, they were pretty good. The African drummers were also really good too!
Along with the cuisines that Derrick C. mentioned, they also had Burmese/​Thai food from Sun Food and cupcakes in a box from a group of little boys. I think that the food could’ve been a little better and definitely warmer. I tried food from Pure Peruvian and Lucy’s Ethiopian. The ethiopian food was delicious even when cold so I really can’t wait until I try it hot.
The festival was only a block or two long, but it was super cool to see so many people out there supporting local businesses.

This festival brings foot traffic to the Westside which it so desperately deserves. Food trucks, tents, live performances, breakdancers, and various other stalls line a block on Lafayette in front of the Our Lady of Hope Church. Among the cuisines served were Puerto Rican, Native American, Ethiopian, and Peruvian. Every time I come to the Westside, I discover something new and it was pretty cool for the whole neighborhood to show off its best for one day.