ELLICOTTVILLE – Communities everywhere are gearing up for the change of seasons, evident. in the trees which have already begun to turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and gold. In
Ellicottville, a tradition that brings people together to celebrate autumn’s beauty and the
excitement of the upcoming winter is the annual Fall Festival, set for October 12-13th. Produced
by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, Fall Fest is the largest gathering on the Chamber’s
event calendar, welcoming 10,000+ visitors in one single weekend!
From the downtown business district to the tops of the ski hills, the weekend packs a full schedule of activities, live music, and spectacular fall foliage views spanning as far as the eye can see.
Approximately 200 vendors will set up in the streets downtown for one of the largest arts & crafts shows in the region. From handcrafted jewelry to beautifully painted ceramics, attendees can browse unique creations that embody the spirit of autumn.
“Many vendors incorporate seasonal themes, offering items like hand-knit scarves, pumpkin spice candles, and festive decorations that capture the essence of the fall season,” said Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “And since we’re in Bills country, you can expect a number of vendors offering Bills apparel and merchandise as well.”
Add in a full outdoor food court along with the flavors of Ellicottville’s already-established
restaurants, and you will without a doubt, satisfy your taste buds. “In addition to all the food, our
local craft breweries, distilleries and wineries will be featuring seasonal drink specials,” added
Brian. “A taste of pumpkin ale or spiced cider can be the perfect way to toast to the changing
season. Our local coffee shops and bakeries have wonderful fall menus, too – the perfect pick-me-up to keep you motoring through the weekend!”
This year’s Fall Festival in Ellicottville will welcome special guest Eric Jones. You may recognize. his name as a finalist in Food Network’s Halloween Wars. Eric is also a winner of Food Network’s. Outrageous Pumpkins, and recently claimed the Guinness World Record for carving the largest. Jack-o-lantern! Eric will be set up in the middle of downtown Ellicottville on the Sunday of Fall. Festival, showcasing his pumpkin carving skills live for the public to witness.
“We’ve featured the works of Eric Jones here in Ellicottville in past years with his snow sculptures, and we’re excited to bring him back this year for something a little different,” said Barb Pump, executive assistant of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “Kids and adults alike will enjoy watching his pumpkin carving demonstrations. He’ll carve as many as he can, and towards the end of the afternoon, we’ll auction off all of his works, with proceeds donated to the Ellicottville Playground project to raise money to build a new, inclusive playground in Ellicottville’s Village Park.” (Eric will also be scheduled regularly throughout the season in neighboring Great Valley, see cover story ‘Eric Jone’ by Kate Bartlett.)
For those looking for more adventure during Fall Fest, head to Holiday Valley and enjoy another round of fun! The resort will be offering chairlift rides to the top of the mountain, where leaf peeping and live entertainment await. HoliMont will also offer chairlift rides to the top of Expo, plus the HoliMont Bike Park will operate its final weekend of lift access for the season. And just down the road from Ellicottville, Pumpkinville is one of the largest pumpkin patches in the region which also boasts a corn maze, beer garden, its very own cider mill, a cow train, and plenty of fun games and activities for the whole family.
At its heart, the Fall Festival is a celebration of community. The festival also serves as a platform for local organizations and charities, fostering a spirit of giving back. Look for information booths and donation drives throughout the weekend as you saunter through the village. For more information about this year’s Fall Festival, go to ellicottvilleny.com
About Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce: The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce provides
advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members – setting the standard for excellence in member service, community collaboration, business growth while achieving a high quality of life in Ellicottville and the surrounding area. We foster and promote business with our members while stimulating local economic growth. For more information about the Ellicottville chamber of Commerce, including membership, please visit http://www.ellicottvilleny.com.