By Darlene Brace
Celebrating the Fourth of July holiday has been a timed honored tradition that people spend picnicking and enjoying with their family and friends. Many of these celebrations often culminate with the viewing of an exciting fireworks display at nightfall. Here in Western New York, there are a variety of locations for you and your family to enjoy the day and to be able to see the fireworks at night, which is part of the community’s celebrations that stands for the freedoms we share in our beloved country. Let’s see where these celebrations are taking place for viewing the fireworks displays.
On July 3, the celebrations begin in some areas. In Jamestown there will be fireworks after the Tarp Skunks game at the Diethrick Park Stadium.
Join the Ellicottville Distillery on July 3rd, as they will be having live music by Noah Lee and the Stetsons. They will be performing country and folk music from 7pm-10pm. At 10pm, there will be their 3rd annual fireworks display.
Ellicottville hosts the acclaimed annual Summer Music Festival at Holiday Valley and throughout the village July 4th-6th. On the 4th of July, the Battle of the Bands will take place in downtown Ellicottville from 11am-10pm. The annual pet parade will be on July 5th at 11am. Later that day the Battle of the Bands winner will open the show at 7:15pm at Holiday Valley for the headline concert by Hailey Whitters at 8:30pm. On the evening of July 6th, the Buffalo Philharmonic will perform followed by fireworks to conclude this festival.
Dunkirk is also starting their three-day Fourth of July celebration event from July 3rd-July 5th at Memorial Park. This event will have vendors, live music, and fireworks. On July 3rd, the Classic Rock Allstars will play at 5pm followed by a Pat Benatar tribute band called Invincible at 7:15pm. Then on the Fourth of July, Party McFly will entertain the crowd at 1pm, and Furious George will take the stage at 4pm. Two for Flinching will play pop and rock music at 6:30pm, with a fireworks display at 9:30pm. On July 5th, there will be the Marauder Trotter 5K run/walk that starts at Wright Park at 9am.
On July 4th, Lakewood will be having a day-long celebration at Hartley Park. The day will start off with the YMCA Firecracker Run at 9am (read more about this and the event’s history in next week’s edition of The Villager). There will also be a kids run followed by the M&T Money Hunt and there will be a bounce house that will be up all day. This event will feature a variety of craft vendors, and some delicious food vendors including specialty treats. Ion Sky will be playing rock and pop hits to entertain the crowd from 6pm-10pm followed by fireworks at dusk that you can view in that area overlooking Chautauqua Lake.
Just up the lake about ten miles, the Village of Mayville will be celebrating the holiday featuring a festival with a Christmas in July theme. There will be a parade at 10am and a magic show at 1pm with a second showing at 3pm. There will also be face painting, a petting zoo, games and more. OsbornNash will perform covers and originals from 12pm-2pm. One Boomer will perform at 2:30pm, followed by The Escape Goats at 6pm. The event will end with fireworks at 10pm.
Findley Lake will be having a community celebration with fun for the whole family. They will be having a super fun duck race at 12:30pm, a chicken BBQ, flare lighting, and fireworks.
In Olean, there will be a baseball game at Bradner Stadium in the afternoon between the Olean Oilers and the Dansville Gliders. After the game, Nerds Gone Wild will perform at 4:30pm. Vinny and the Mudflaps will perform from 7pm until 9:45pm, at which time there will be an exciting fireworks display.
Bemus Point will be having a fireworks display on barges in the Bemus Bay near Lakeside Drive that will be put on by the Bemus Point Business Association. Bring a blanket or chairs and spread out to watch the fireworks sparkle over the lake.
On July 5th, Randolph is having their fireworks to celebrate the holiday, located a in Weedon Park, presented by the Randolph Peaches and Cream Crew. Music will be provided by Hanna’s.
These are just some of the Fourth of July activities that are taking place in Western New York. Enjoy spending time with your family and friends celebrating with lots of great food and entertainment that will culminate with fireworks displays. Have fun and be safe!