By Kate Bartlett
This year marks the 25th annual Ellicottville Summer Music Festival 4th of July Weekend the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce has presented the event in its present format at Holiday Valley. The festival has brought internationally renowned musical acts to Ellicottville since 2000, and this year is sure to be another huge success. The festival runs July 5-7 bringing headlining act Marc Martel: One Vision of Queen with opening act Caitlin Koch will be featured Saturday, July 6. Jazz fusion duo SON opening the event on Friday at the Gazebo, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra with the music of The Who & Led Zeppelin will close out the weekend on Sunday.
In 2000, the Ellicottville Chamber introduced their first Rock ‘n Roll act to play with the Buffalo Philharmonic. It was a huge success and the festival has hosted 30 bands on Saturdays and many exciting programs with the BPO on Sundays ever since, complete with fireworks. “We’re proud that the festival has grown exponentially every year, with record presales already this year,” says Brian McFadden, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce President. “This year will be bigger and better than ever. We always try to aim to make it better than the last.”
Friday, July 5th, kicks off the festival at the Village Gazebo with live music from SON. This duo is well known regionally for their soulful covers and reimagined renditions of popular songs. The village streets will come alive as guests visit local bars and restaurants and enjoy live music in the summer air with over a dozen live performances over the weekend.
Saturday, July 6th will be a day of festivities starting with a Fine Art & Craft Market by Tri County Arts Council from 9-5pm. This is the first year the festival will host Tri County, but has had over-whelming attendance at their previous show with the chamber last September. Approximately 30-40 vendors representing various disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, metal arts and more. The Pet Parade sets off at 11am led by Grand Marshall Batman in his Batmobile, who will stick around after the parade at the gazebo for pictures with the kids, and pets.
Gates open at Holiday Valley at 5pm with opening act Caitlin Koch, a Retro-Soul Artist originally from Orchard Park, NY with over 25 million views on her YouTube channel. Caitlin is well known for her performances on Simon Cowell’s production “The X Factor USA” and is credited with a voice with ‘more depth than the Tennessee River.’ Over the years Caitlin has shared the stage with or opened for The Goo Goo Dolls, Pat Benatar, Grace Potter, Gavin DeGraw, Paula Abdul and more.
Saturday’s main performance takes stage at 9:15pm with internationally renowned One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel: The World’s Most Spectacular Queen Tribute Show. The group is credited as an “explosive, attention-commanding tribute where some of the most iconic rock anthems of all time collide with a theatrical performance style and eye-popping production.” Some have even called Marc “the reincarnated voice of Freddie Mercury.” Marcs voice can be heard in the Freddie Mercury movie, Bohemian Rapsody.
Sunday, July 7th, again opens with the Tri County Fine Arts & Craft Market in the village. The BPO will play alongside Jeans n’ Classics again bringing the hits from The Who & Led Zeppelin. “The combination of the BPO along with the rock energy of these legendary artists is incredible. The BPO loves playing this show; they really have a good time. Set in the beautiful slopes of Holiday Valley, complete with fireworks, it’s something you just have to experience.” Gates open at 5pm with music starting at 8pm.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.ellicottvilleny.com. Village musical events are all free, tickets required for festival concerts at Holiday Valley.