By Jessica Schultz
Happy 245th Birthday America!! Summer is nearing full swing and what better way to celebrate the birth of our nation than with food, fun and fireworks. There is a lot happening in both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties for everyone to enjoy. Let’s see what we’ve got…
Cattaraugus County: Let’s start off with Ellicottville. Hosting the annual Summer Music Festival over the course of the July 4th weekend. There will be performances by Practically Petty, an acclaimed Tom Petty tribute band, followed by Asia featuring John Payne with special guests John Elefante, former lead singer of Kansas, and Lou Gramm, the voice of Foreigner on July 2nd. On Sunday, July 3rd up at Holiday Valley Resort, local favorite, The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be doing a performance featuring Strange Magic: A Tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra. Followed directly by the spectacular annual fireworks display. For more information on this event, see the Holiday Valley update on page 5.
The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo will be taking place on June 30th through July 3rd at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road at 7pm. This is the 33rd rodeo to take place and offers wild western non-stop action. There will be firework displays each evening of the event. Tickets and information can be found at ellicottvillerodeo.com.
Not to be forgotten, The Ellicottville Distillery is hosting a performance by Porcelain Train on Monday, July 4th at 7pm. After the performance they will be doing a wonderful fireworks display. And don’t worry about being hungry at this event, there will be a food truck on site. Check out the Ellicottville Distillery’s Facebook for more information.
The Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino will be hosting a free fireworks spectacular on July 2nd at 9:30 pm. They look forward to the community celebrating America’s birthday with them.
Unfortunately, the Allegany State Park’s annual fireworks event is canceled for 2022, due to new eagle nests in the fireworks area.
Randolph NY will be holding its annual fireworks event, July 3rd at Weeden Park. This year it is hosted by Peaches and Cream. Bring blankets and chairs!!
The City of Olean is set for a BOOMING FOURTH!! Bradner Stadium in Olean will open at 5:30pm on Monday, July 4th, so families can enjoy a day of picnicking in the stadium while they wait for night to fall and the fireworks to begin. Please keep in mind that coolers and packages are welcome but will be checked by staff for security reasons. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be rescheduled for the next clear evening.
Chautauqua County: Let’s begin with Bemus Point, NY, hosting their annual fireworks event on Sunday, July 3rd at 10pm from the barges in Bemus Bay. Part of Lakeside Drive will be closed starting at 9pm for visitors to safely view the show, which will also be visible from the Village Park. This event was made possible by generous sponsors and community donations.
The Village Casino in Bemus Point, NY is hosting a three-day event. Schedule is as follows: Friday 9pm-1am Jackson Rohm, Saturday 10pm-2am New Wave Nation, Sunday 10pm-2am 2 for Flinching and Sunday night fireworks in Bemus Bay.
The Chautauqua Lake Association will add to the ambiance of the 4th of July holiday on Monday, July 4th at 10pm with their annual Light Up the Lake event. This annual tradition asks local residents to light a flare at the edge of the lake (which lasts for 30 minutes) in an effort to outline the entirety of Chautauqua Lake. Flares are available for purchases at many local retailers.
Dunkirk, NY will be hosting a 3-day, Fourth of July Celebration at the Dunkirk Memorial Park. There will be food vendors, a scavenger hunt and live music. The schedule is as follows: SATURDAY: Marauder Trotter 5K Run/Walk at 9am at Wright Park, A Community Driving Scavenger Hunt at 1pm at Wright Park, Live music from Backlog at 5pm at Memorial Park and Live music from Alexander James Band at 7:15pm at Memorial Park. SUNDAY: Live music from Wooden Ship at 5pm and Live music from Smokin’ 45 at 7:15pm. MONDAY: Live music from Zen City at 3pm, Live music from Furious George at 5:15pm and Live music from The Rising at 7:30pm. This show will be followed by the traditional 4th of July fireworks
Cherry Creek NY’s Independence Day Celebration is on July 2nd starting at 1pm. There will be rides, a car show, chicken barbecue, raffle, music, food, vendors, a parade and fireworks. The rides are open 1-10pm, parade is at 5pm. Birds of prey exhibit is 1-5pm. Fireworks are at 10pm.
Mayville NY is rocking Lakeside Park on July 4th will many great events. Featuring a 4th of July parade at 10am, followed by festivities at 12pm like a petting zoo, live music, food, games, raffles and more family fun. All of which is followed by fireworks at 10pm, presented by Skylighters Fireworks.
Lakewood, NY has an all-day festival on July 4th on Chautauqua Avenue. The Lakewood YMCA is hosting their “Firecracker Run” starting at 9am. (Registration starts at 7am at Hartley Park) At 12pm there will be vendors offering food, crafts and gifts. There will be free fun for the children in the family as well. Fireworks presented by Zambelli Fireworks are at 10pm.
Fourth of July in Findley Lake, NY features all-day fun for the whole family on West Main Street from noon-10pm. There will be chicken BBQ at the fire hall starting at noon, a duck race at 12:30pm at the water flume on the north end of the lake, a boat parade at 2pm and fireworks at 10pm.
Not to be left out, The Chautauqua Institution is hosting a performance by its own Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra on July 4that 8pm. Led by CSO Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz, July 4 with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra is one of the most popular events in the Amphitheater every season. This year’s celebration features soprano Dee Donasco, who spent the summer of 2012 as a Chautauqua Opera Apprentice Artist and was a featured soloist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
So, no matter where you live, where you are from or where you plan on spending your Independence Day, our communities have something for your whole family to enjoy. Happy Birthday America!!