The 'Hood Taste of Buffalo', a grassroots-grown food festival that sprouted up on Buffalo's eastside, was looking forward to having its 7th annual event this weekend on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and Sunday, August 2, 2026. According to a separate post made by the Buffalo Police Department, the event was shut down as an unsanctioned mass gathering. After several members of the community responded to the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Department, Mayor Ryan issued the following statement. The Hood Taste of Buffalo is the type of event we want in the City—people enjoying their neighbors and celebrating what makes Buffalo great. This particular food festival was so much fun that organizers decided to host a second event this year.