The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Your Buffalo Business During Spring Events
Spring in Buffalo isn't just about watching the snow finally melt away – it's event season! From the sea of green at the St. Patrick's Day Parade to the delicate pink blooms at the Cherry Blossom Festival, these gatherings aren't just community celebrations – they're golden marketing opportunities that too many local businesses let slip through their fingers. Let's break down how to make the most of Buffalo's spring events without breaking your marketing budget (or your sanity).
Why Spring Events Matter to Your Buffalo Business
Let's be honest – Western New York winters are long. By the time March rolls around, Buffalonians are practically bursting out of their homes ready to socialize, celebrate, and yes, spend money. This creates the perfect storm for local businesses:
Increased foot traffic in business districts
Higher social media engagement around local events
Community-minded consumers looking to support Buffalo businesses
Media attention focused on local happenings
Opportunities to showcase your brand's personality
Still not convinced? The Buffalo St. Patrick's Day Parade alone draws tens of thousands of attendees each year. That's 10,000+ potential customers who could be learning about your business.
The Buffalo Spring Events You Can't Ignore
St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 16)
Not just for bars and restaurants! This is Buffalo's first major outdoor event of the year and people are READY to celebrate.
Cherry Blossom Festival (April 26-27)
A more contemplative but equally impressive gathering at the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park – perfect for businesses with a more serene brand image.
Buffalo Marathon (May 25)
Health-focused businesses, this is your Super Bowl! But even non-fitness brands can capitalize on the community energy.
Taste of Buffalo Planning (Preparations begin in April)
While the event itself is in July, applications and planning begin in spring – perfect for food-related businesses.
Allentown Art Festival (June 14-15)
The unofficial kickoff to summer and a creative business's dream.
Event-Specific Marketing Strategies That Actually Work
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Before the Parade:
Create Irish-themed limited editions of your products (without going full leprechaun – subtlety is key)
Launch a "Green Week" promotion on social media
Partner with businesses along the parade route for cross-promotion
During the Parade:
Set up a booth or street team with branded giveaways
Host a "parade watching station" if you're on the route
Run a social media contest for people to share photos at your location
After the Parade:
Follow up with new contacts made during the event
Share a parade recap highlighting your participation
Offer a "post-parade recovery" special
Cherry Blossom Festival
This serene celebration calls for a more sophisticated approach:
Create content around renewal and fresh starts
Offer "picnic packages" for festival-goers
Host a cherry blossom photography contest
Partner with Japanese-owned businesses for authentic cross-promotion
Develop limited-time "blossom" themed products or services
Buffalo Marathon
Even if you sell accounting software, not running shoes, you can:
Offer "carb-loading" specials at restaurants
Create "spectator kits" with branded items
Sponsor a mile marker or water station
Design a recovery promotion for the day after
Set up a cheer station with your branding
Digital Marketing Tactics That Amplify Your Event Presence
Your physical presence is only half the battle. Here's how to extend your reach:
Pre-Event Content Strategy
Create a "Buffalo Spring Events Calendar" blog post (helpful content that people actually share)
Develop event-specific landing pages for special promotions
Build anticipation with countdown posts on social media
Launch targeted ads to people interested in specific events
During-Event Social Media
Use event-specific hashtags (#BuffaloStPatricks #716Cherry)
Go live from events to increase organic reach
Share real-time updates and crowd-sourced content
Position staff as roving reporters creating authentic content
Post-Event Follow-Up
Create recap content that tags participants
Launch a "missed the event?" promotion
Gather testimonials from event attendees
Analyze engagement data to plan for next year
Local SEO Boosts That Capitalize on Event Searches
Event seasons see huge spikes in location-based searches. Make sure your business shows up:
Update your Google Business Profile with event-specific information
Create event-specific FAQ content on your website
Develop location-based keywords related to events
Get listed in local event directories and guides
Generate reviews from event attendees
The "Small But Mighty" Approach for Limited Budgets
No massive marketing budget? No problem. Focus on these high-impact, low-cost approaches:
Create one amazing, shareable photo opportunity at your location
Develop a single, memorable specialty item tied to an event
Partner strategically with one complementary business
Focus your energy on the one event that best aligns with your brand
Engage authentically in community conversations online
Common Spring Event Marketing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Learn from others who've stumbled:
The Generic Approach: Green beer specials alone won't cut it – find a unique angle
The Last-Minute Scramble: Plan at least 6 weeks ahead for meaningful engagement
The Tone-Deaf Promotion: Make sure your marketing respects the cultural significance of events
The Disconnected Campaign: Integrate your event marketing with your overall brand strategy
The All-Physical or All-Digital Mistake: The most successful campaigns blend both approaches
Your Spring Event Marketing Timeline
Don't get overwhelmed! Here's your week-by-week plan:
6 Weeks Before Event:
Finalize your special offerings
Begin teasing content on social media
Update your website with event information
4 Weeks Before:
Launch your event-specific promotion
Schedule all social media content
Reach out to complementary businesses for partnerships
2 Weeks Before:
Increase posting frequency about the event
Send email blast to your customer list
Begin targeted advertising if applicable
1 Week Before:
Share final details and reminders
Prep your team with talking points
Do a final check of all materials
During Event:
Focus on authentic engagement
Gather content and testimonials
Collect contact information for follow-up
1 Week After:
Share recap content
Launch follow-up promotion
Analyze results and document for next year
Ready to Make This Spring Your Business's Best Season Yet?
Buffalo's spring events offer the perfect opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged, enthusiastic local audience. Whether you're a seasoned marketing pro or just dipping your toes into event promotion, these strategies can help you connect with new customers and strengthen relationships with existing ones.
Need more specific guidance for your unique business? Vagari Creative specializes in helping Buffalo businesses develop targeted, effective event marketing strategies that align with your overall business goals.
Let's Make Your Business Bloom This Spring →
