The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce will once again host two classic events this fall. Rock-N-Roll Weekend is set for Sept. 20-22, and the annual Fall Festival will take place Oct. 12-13. These two events are timed perfectly to celebrate the official transition from summer to fall as well as the peak expression of color the leaves offer before falling to enrich the soil. Most would be hard pressed to remember a time when these festivals did not occur accompanying fantastic weather. The events are so well planned and attended that little will change this year.
ROCK-N-ROLL WEEKEND
Shimmy, Shimmy Again, and Peruse Automotive Classics
Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with classic tunes and kicking grooves at many of Ellicottville’s fine establishments. Entertainment begins the night of Friday, Sept. 20 and continues into Sunday with live shows in most bars and restaurants. Get out, support local businesses, and make sure to get enough rest for Sunday’s main event, which is sure to please.
The Classic Car Show will return for its 15th year on Sunday, Sept. 22. Happening from noon-5pm, the competition will award prizes to vehicles in the categories of antique (before 1959), classic (1960 and after), as well as custom, sports car, rod, truck, and convertible of any age. There’s still time for vehicle owners to enter their wheels … contact the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-349-9099.
The 22nd is also, coincidentally, the Autumnal Equinox, with the sun passing over the equator at 3:44 Eastern Standard Time … it’s the perfect opportunity to take in Rock-N-Roll Weekend, which will once again help us say goodbye to summer.
FALL FESTIVAL
Swap Skis and Be Merry, For Soon the Leaves Fall
Perhaps Ellicottville’s most well attended event and definitely its oldest, the 2013 Fall Festival will kick off the weekend of Oct. 11. The event coincides with the apex of fall foliage and ushers in the largest crowd of the year. Attendees can ride rides, purchase typical fair food (including funnel cakes, French fries, kettle corn, etc.) as well as more unique morsels like bison on ‘weck. Artists run the gamut from watercolor to mosaics of beach glass, and jewelers abound aplenty from curb-side vendors. Arts and crafts vendors still have time to register for booth space by logging onto the Chamber’s website, www.ellicottvilleny.com. The slots always fill up, so be sure to make your reservation a priority before it’s too late!
Holiday Valley will host several events on their resort grounds. The Ski and Snowboard Swap will run Friday through Sunday. Saturday will feature a mountain bike race as well as the annual hilltop party with chairlift rides up Mardi Gras to live entertainment. Sunday offers a 5K run. Interested parties can check the Holiday Valley website at www.holidayvalley.com closer to the event, as times and acts are yet to be solidified.
Make arrangements for lodging as soon as possible, as Fall Fest draws tens of thousands of visitors each year! For a complete list of accommodations, head to www.ellicottvilleny.com.
