(WKBW) — Friday's heat meant lots of water bottles at the Buffalo Subaru 4 Mile Chase, and children dumping water on their heads. However, it also meant a storm soaking the region, including at Tonawanda's Canal Fest. The storm left Union Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company's tent without a sign.
Fred Van Dusen, an officer with the fire company, couldn't even keep his reaction "PG" rated when he saw what happened to his tent. He came back to torn tarp, a sloped roof, and a knocked over toaster.
"We had a sign upfront and the wind caught it, it pulled the whole front of the tent forward, and snapped three poles," he said.
Van Dusen said some help from nearby stands got his tent up and running again. Just in time for a sunny and hot weekend. Brandi Croom, a server at one of Canal Fest's ice crean stands, said business has been quieter than she expected, and that she's skeptical if the heat will change that.
"I don't think it's going to do well for business," she said. "No one wants to pass out from heat stroke."
For the people who do attend Canal Fest Croom has some advice.
"Umbrellas. They're not only good for the rain, they're also good for the sun," she said.
If Canal Fest goers need a quick cool off, Croom said her stand is stocked.
"We have lemonades ready, we have frozen bananas ready, all I know is we're ready here," she said.
Ready for the final two days of Canal Fest. The festival will last all day Saturday and Sunday culminating in a fireworks grand finale.
