This weekend in Niagara Falls, NY

The second annual Hay Day and Fall Festival at Sanborn Marketside blends favorite traditions with a new highlight, the first ever car show. Guests can explore local vendors, enjoy live music, sample food from trucks, let kids bounce and play, and take part in a car seat safety check conducted by the Niagara County Sheriff's Department. The car show will feature awards including Best in Show, People's Choice, Best Vintage for pre-1960 vehicles, Best Classic for 1960 to 1979, Best Modern for 1980 and newer, Best Truck, Best Muscle Car, Future Showstopper, and a Kids' Choice Award. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show, and the first 50 vehicles receive dash plaques. Whether displaying a vehicle, shopping with local makers, grabbing lunch, or spending time with family and friends, there is plenty to enjoy. Families, friends, and dogs are welcome. For vendor or car show questions, contact Corrine at 716-461-8769.

Hope Closet provides free clothing for children and adults along with shoes for all ages. If apparel costs are stretching the household budget, this welcoming outreach makes it possible to choose what you need at no charge and without an application or proof of income. Upon arrival, visitors sign in with the date, ZIP code, and family size, then browse items that volunteers have cleaned, sorted, and arranged by size and type for easy shopping. The selection changes with community donations and is mostly clothing and footwear, with the occasional accessory such as a purse or tie. Volunteers are available to help locate sizes and can assist with carrying items to a vehicle if needed. Items are intended for personal and household use, and guests are encouraged to take only what their family will use so there is enough for neighbors. This program is an outreach of The Gathering Place Project, and all are welcome.

Rising costs and unexpected bills can strain a household’s food budget. This community outreach program from The Gathering Place Project offers groceries to help individuals and families bridge the gap. Guests choose items with support from welcoming volunteers, with pantry staples available alongside a rotating selection of refrigerated and frozen foods donated by local grocery stores and restaurants. Service focuses on residents of Niagara County and the City of Tonawanda, and anyone in need of food assistance is welcome. Amounts are based on household size, and visitors are encouraged to limit trips to twice per month so supplies can reach more neighbors. First-time guests complete a short intake form, and no proof of income is required. Please bring reusable shopping bags. Volunteers can bag groceries and help carry them to vehicles. The program operates at The Gathering Place Project inside The Way Church of God, and the Hope Closet clothing program will also be open for those who wish to visit both during the same trip.

A welcoming festival centered on wellness and spirituality takes place at Spiritual Landing, bringing together practitioners and seekers alike. Explore offerings from holistic therapists, crystals, books and incense, and connect with energy workers, healers, massotherapists and psychic readers, with more to discover. Admission is free and open to all. The gathering focuses on uniting people across different backgrounds, faiths and cultures to celebrate the diversity of spiritual beliefs and wellness practices. It is a chance to find common ground, exchange ideas, discover new products and services, build connections and friendships, and strengthen the sense of community.

Hands Healing Heroes presents its 13th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day, a community celebration dedicated to honoring those who have served and their families. Veterans and their families receive free entry. Each veteran is welcomed with an entrance gift, a complimentary haircut and massage, one sheet of basket auction tickets, assistance with an Armed Forces medal search with applications available, prearranged transportation to and from the event if needed, and a full luncheon. Live music will be provided by Wood -n- Steel. Admission for the general public is $20 and includes one meal ticket and one sheet of auction tickets. Additional basket auction tickets are available at $5 per sheet or $20 for five sheets, and big ticket item sheets are $10 each or $25 for three. For details on donating or volunteering, call Hands Healing Heroes at (716) 282-2225. Hands Healing Heroes is a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) veterans appreciation group.

Presented by the Buffalo Niagara Nikola Tesla Council, this three-part lecture series explores the life, innovations, and lasting influence of Nikola Tesla with a special focus on his pioneering work in Western New York and the ongoing local efforts that preserve his story. It welcomes history lovers, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the origins of our electrified world. The first talk offers a richly illustrated biography, tracing Tesla from his childhood and education in Europe to his arrival in America, his connections with Edison and Westinghouse, and the electrical breakthroughs in Western New York that helped reshape global civilization. The second presentation considers what the world looked like before his birth in 1856, details what he accomplished in the region that transformed modern life, and reflects on how his contributions have been recognized since his passing in 1943. The final program highlights how local private citizens created the Nikola Tesla Legacy Corridor, a Triptych Tribute of Appreciation honoring the New Yorker whose spark helped illuminate the globe, and explains what he achieved in the area and how that legacy is being celebrated. For free admission, use code TESLA at checkout.

Lockport Main Street presents its first meat raffle at American Legion Post #1451. Enjoy a lively evening that supports a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on community and economic development. Tickets are $10 each or 8 for $70, and beer and soda are included.

Meet adoptable dogs while enjoying a drink and brunch. This recurring event takes place on multiple dates throughout the summer and fall.

This class supports leash reactive dogs that bark, growl, or lunge. Some react out of worry and a desire for more space, while others are full of excitement and express it loudly. The focus is on building calmer, more confident responses so dogs can move through everyday situations with greater ease.