By Darlene Brace
The Fourth of July holiday around Chautauqua Lake is always filled with picnics, live music, beach side flares, and spectacular fireworks displays. This year’s holiday celebrations around the lake features the usual activities as well as something new for you, your family, and the community to enjoy.
Mayville’s festivities will begin with a patriotic parade at 10am. It will start at the red light near routes 394 and 430, proceed toward the lake, and ends at Lakeside Park. The parade will include floats, firetrucks, marching bands, antique cars and more, and each category will be judged. Spectators can buy balloons, flags, and beads, and kids can try to snatch up some candy that will be tossed into the crowd.
After the parade, the rest of the celebration takes place at Lakeside Park starting at noon. Food trucks, crafts vendors, and games will be set up, and will also include bounce houses and a petting zoo. You can also take a chance at winning some prizes in a fun raffle they are having where special prizes will be given away every hour from 3-10pm, with the larger items being raffled toward the end of the evening.
This celebration will also feature live music starting with OsbornNash that will kick off the music by playing a mix of originals and covers from 12-2pm. Total Chaos will take the stage next, entertaining the crowd with classic rock tunes from 2:30-5:30pm. Finally, from 6-10pm, the Porcelain Busdrivers will play a variety of music until it’s time for the fireworks.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, Mayville and Bemus Point have partnered to offer a new experience featuring synchronized fireworks and a patriotic soundtrack. Coordinated by the Bemus Point Business Association and the Village of Mayville, the fireworks display will last for about twenty-five minutes, which is longer than usual. This collaboration aims to celebrate our country’s 250 years of freedom in a unifying way, providing a fantastic show for everyone.
The fireworks will launch simultaneously from both villages, accompanied by a patriotic soundtrack. The music will be broadcast in the viewing areas along the Bemus Point Lakefront and Lakeside Park, enhancing the patriotic atmosphere throughout the entire fireworks show. Additionally, you can tune in to Kix Country 96.5 & 100.3 for the musical accompaniment.
Kelley Marker, Executive Director of the Bemus Point Business Association said, “This is something really special for our communities. The Fourth of July has always been such an important tradition around Chautauqua Lake, and being able to collaborate to create a synchronized experience felt like the perfect way to celebrate.”
Lakewood is also having their 4th Annual Fourth of July Summerfest celebration. This year’s festival will begin with the annual Lakewood Firecracker Run, organized by the local YMCA. The event will feature a 10K run, a 2-mile run, and a 2-mile walk. It starts at 9am at the intersection of Chautauqua Avenue and East Terrace Avenue near Hartley Park and sections of these two streets will be closed off to traffic. An awards ceremony will take place at the gazebo in the park following the races.
At 9:30am, there will be free kids’ races organized into age groups for children aged 2yrs to 12yrs. In addition, there will be a free Money Hunt for kids 12 years old and under. Kids participating will be provided a bag to hunt for candy and coins.
Vendors will set up in this area throughout the day and evening. You can stroll through the streets, discovering delicious food and tasty treats from the vendors, or enjoy a picnic at Hartley Park while your little ones have fun in the bounce house.
Live music will be performed in Hartley Park by Ion Sky, playing rock and pop tunes from 6-10pm. This will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display, offering a scenic view of the lake as the fireworks light up the night sky.
At 10pm, a traditional lighting of flares around the entire lake will also occur, which is a cherished event that residents and business owners have participated in for many years. It’s quite a sight to see Chautauqua Lake illuminated all the way around it as the fireworks burst into the sky.
No matter where you end up, you will surely have a great time celebrating the 250 years of America. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.