By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Come late August, Irish eyes will be smiling on Statler City.

The revamped Buffalo landmark will host the Buffalo Irish Festival, which is marking its 30th anniversary.

The event's move from the Erie County Fairgrounds comes five months after Mark Croce bought the mothballed, 18-story structure that overlooks Niagara Square. It's set for Aug. 26-28 in the Grand Ballroom, Rendez Vous Room, Terrace Room and Grand Lobby.

Many see the booking as a vote of confidence for Croce and his long-term plan to bring new life to the nearly 90-year-old building, which in recent decades was plagued by ownership problems.

"It forced us to accelerate our plans," he said. "It forced us to get into the meat and potatoes of the project."

He plans on using the lower floors, including the opulent lobby, as an entertainment center. He said he is looking to make the Statler available for everything from weddings and corporate functions to special events such as the Irish festival.

Development plans for the upper floors are still being finalized.

Festival Chairman Kevin Townsell said bringing the event to the Statler was a no-brainer - the location and history are already generating a buzz.

"People haven't seen it in a while," he said.

The event typically attracts 8,000 to 10,000 people but that could be higher this year, thanks to the move back downtown and the new venue.

It also helps that the event coincides with an Aug. 27 performance by the Canadian Celtic rock band, Great Big Sea, as part of the "Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor" concert series.

"I expect there will be a fair amount of cross-pollination," Townsell said.

Croce, meanwhile, said he was happy to book the festival as the Statler's first major event. He plans to use it as a template for future events, including the kickoff dinner in October for the annual meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to be held in Buffalo this year.