ELLICOTTVILLE
Summer arts festival awaits Canadian throng
ELLICOTTVILLE — Organizers of the Ellicottville Summer Festival of the Arts expect to see large crowds this weekend, thanks to favorable Canadian exchange rates and high fuel prices that are keeping area residents closer to home.
Brian McFadden, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce director, said Thursday that tickets and room sales have been brisk leading up to the weekend’s art show, concerts and fireworks.
“It seems that we are getting more traffic because of the high gas prices. People are staying within that one-day drive and we are right in the middle of a huge drive market when you include southern Ontario,” said McFadden, dismissing Thursday’s rain and expressing high hopes for a busy summer.
Tonight’s official kickoff will be mainly indoors, featuring the Sponsors’ Reception in Holimont at 6 and the Nelson Starr Dance Band. Both Saturday and Sunday, crowds will take to village streets for the juried arts and crafts booths, with Sunday’s return of the Gazebo strawberry festival at 3 p. m. and a list of other attractions at various locations.
Saturday night’s performance of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Holiday Valley’s slopes will range from classical pieces to the music of Harry Potter, with a traditional fireworks finale on the mountain. The festival will end with Sunday’s 7:30 p. m. slope-side performance by the Little River Band.
Tickets can be purchased at Tops Markets or at the gate. For more information call 800-349-9099 or log onto www.ellicottvilleny.com
