Five Star Bank Presents Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

Saturday, December 1st, Five Star Bank presents the 2018 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza. This annual event marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season in Downtown Buffalo. The event begins at 5pm with free ice-skating.  At 6pm, Buffalo Place and Five Star Bank representatives, as well as local elected officials, countdown the lighting of the tree and fireworks display over Fountain Plaza.

“We look forward to carrying on the tradition of free ice-skating in the heart of Downtown Buffalo with Presenting Sponsor Five Star Bank,” said Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place, Inc. “In cooperation with Rotary Club of Buffalo and the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place has managed the operation of this outdoor ice-skating rink for 20 years. Renovations to Fountain Plaza, and the completion of the Cars Sharing Main Street project in this block, continue to provide residents and visitors with an enjoyable and affordable outdoor winter activity.”

Five Star Bank C&I Lending Executive and Buffalo Regional President Ted Oexle said, “Five Star Bank has been located at Fountain Plaza since February of 2017 and we are thrilled to be in the vibrant financial center of the City of Buffalo. Downtown Buffalo is an exciting place to live, work, and play. It is an honor to serve as Presenting Sponsor for the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and Ice Skating Season. We are proud to support these wonderful family traditions.”

Distinguished guest speakers at the event will include Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, and Ted Oexle of Five Star Bank. The guests will speak briefly and then lead a countdown to the official lighting of the tree followed by a fireworks display over Rotary Rink.  Anthony J. Colucci III, President and Vice Chairman of Buffalo Place Inc., will serve as emcee for the evening.

Immediately following the fireworks and tree lighting, the fun will continue with visits with Santa, free rides on the kiddie Merry-Go-Round and Ferris Wheel, holiday gifts, and more. Duke’s Donuts will be on-site with hot, freshly made doughnuts available for purchase. Ice-skating is free and ice-skate rental is available; $2 for children and $3 for adults. Guests are encouraged to bring their own ice-skates and avoid waiting in the ice-skate rental line. Santa will visit with children from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Buffalo Place thanks Five Star Bank for their Presenting Sponsorship of the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and 2018-2019 Ice-Skating Season. Buffalo Place also thanks our official Media Sponsor and Partners, The Buffalo News.

About Five Star Bank and Financial Institutions, Inc. Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses through a network of more than 50 offices throughout Western and Central New York State. Additional Five Star Bank information is available at www.five-starbank.com, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Five Star Bank, Scott Danahy Naylon, LLC (“SDN”), Courier Capital, LLC (“Courier Capital”) and HNP Capital, LLC (“HNP Capital”) are subsidiaries of Financial Institutions, Inc. SDN provides a broad range of insurance services to personal and business clients across 45 states. Courier Capital and HNP Capital provide customized investment management, investment consulting and retirement plan services to individuals, businesses, institutions, foundations and retirement plans. Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries employ approximately 700 individuals. Financial Institutions, Inc. stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FISI. Additional information is available at www.fiiwarsaw.com