Home > About BNE > Press Room > 2008 Archive > November > Memorial Auditorium is Fetting a Fond Farewell

 

It's a day of memories, good and painful, and a chance to say goodbye to an old friend.

Hundreds gathered today at the Buffalo Convention Center to bid farewell to Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, home to thousands of memories.

"I go back to the old Buffalo Bisons days," John Murphy of Buffalo said of the hockey team that preceded the Sabres. "I used to sneak in. I'd be at the Aud three or four times a week."

The Convention Center was filled with people waiting in line for autographs and souvenirs, as well as a chance to inspect and maybe bid on some of the Aud's old seats.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center today and Sunday for a weekend of festivities that will include an auction of 600 sets of blue seats from the Aud, along with old dasher boards.

The event is being called "Farewell Old Friend . . . The Final Salute to Memorial Auditorium."

Many events, exhibits and sports stars will help to highlight the history of the 68-year-old public arena that will be demolished as part of a waterfront redevelopment project.

The doors open at noon each day, and organizers have promised to deliver an array of family-friendly activities. There will be an interactive games area for children, a sports memorabilia pavilion, Aud seat raffles and an "autograph alley" where sports buffs will find some familiar faces.

Throughout the weekend, former stars from the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Braves will be on hand. For example, the lineup today will feature the Sabres' "French Connection" - Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Former NHL player and Sabres broadcaster Jim Lorentz, Buffalo Bisons hockey great Guy Trottier, members of the world champion Buffalo Bandits indoor lacrosse team, and other local sports celebrities will be on hand between 12:30 p. m. until 2:30 p. m. today.

On Sunday, former Buffalo Braves Ernie DiGregorio, Randy Smith and Dolph Schayes will sign autographs from 2 to 4 p. m. Former hockey stars Danny Gare, Darryl Shannon and Craig Muni will attend from 3 until 5 p.m.

Fans will be able to buy Aud seats with prices based on their condition, or they can participate in auctions that will be held at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. today and at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Mayor Byron W. Brown said he is pleased his warning about the unauthorized trade in Aud artifacts is striking a chord. He announced that at least one area resident has surrendered some Aud seats that were listed for sale on a Web site.

Admission to the event is $5 for adults, $3 for students and free for children under 5. Showcase Sports Marketing is coordinating the event for the city. Proceeds will be used to help finance a downtown memorial to the Aud.

People who cannot attend this weekend's event will be able to bid on blue seats and dasher boards via an online auction that will begin at 8 p. m. Monday and end Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.audfarewell.com. .

bmeyer@buffnews.com