First Powder Keg Fest a huge success

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Instead of letting winter get them down, western New Yorkers packed downtown Buffalo for a celebration of the season.

Warmer-than-usual temperatures might have kept skaters off the ice for day two of the Pond Hockey Tournament, but organizers of the first annual Powder Keg Festival are calling it a roaring success.

Tens of thousands of people flocked downtown this weekend for a variety of events, including snow-tubing down a Skyway ramp and navigating the World's Largest Ice Maze. Officials aren't even sure what the final head count was, describing the festival as a "mob scene." Workers are now taking apart the 2,200 ice blocks that formed the ice maze and say they're already planning for a bigger and better event next year.

Jeff Empric, Co-founder of the festival, said, "Obviously, we're very pleased with everything that went on this weekend down here. It showed that western New York was itching for a festival like this and the turnout was fantastic. We've heard numbers anywhere from 60 to 70,000 people."

"It turned out to be a great thing. We're going to go back to the planning boards and see what we can create to make next year you know, the same draw, the same appeal, for a great festival in Buffalo. We can't wait. I'm excited for next year already!" added Empric.

The festival was so popular, organizers actually ran out of their 250,000 food tickets by Saturday afternoon and had to scour area party stores to find more for Sunday.