News and Highlights from the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
05-02-2008
America’s Grape Country Wine Festival (Dunkirk, www.agcwinefestival.com)
The first annual America’s Grape Country Wine Festival, a two-day wine tasting event that brings you the best of New York state wines, will be held August 9-10, 2008 at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk, NY. Savor wine samples from more than 30 New York state wineries, enjoy a fantastic fare of food vendors, and shop the wares of area artisans and crafters. During the festival, ticket holders can take part in a series of informational wine seminars, designed to expand the public’s general knowledge of wine and winemaking. In addition there will be a farmers market with local fruits, vegetables, honey and maple products, cheese and specialty fruit syrups as well as live music.
Roger Tory Peterson Centennial Celebration (Jamestown, www.rtpi.org)
August 28, 2008 marks the 100th birthday of Jamestown native, artist, naturalist, and photographer Roger Tory Peterson, author of over 50 Peterson Field Guides. To mark the event, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in Jamestown, NY has planned a year-long centennial celebration including art exhibits, lecture series for children and adults, open house weekends, and a birding festival finale. The Roger Tory Peterson Centennial Exhibit: Original Paintings by the Master Nature Artist will kick off the celebration starting June 22, 2008 and run through October 15th. The exhibit will feature original artwork never before displayed as well as a number of Peterson’s paintings commissioned and owned by private collections all over the country.
Dunkirk Marketplace and Music on the Pier (Dunkirk, www.cityofdunkirk.com)
Summer fun is on the way as the Dunkirk Harbor on Lake Erie heats up the season with new festivals, free concerts and events taking place on and around the Dunkirk Pier and harbor front area. The Wreck and Roll Festival (June 20-21, 2008) offers entertainment both on and off shore combining multiple Rock & Roll acts with virtual dive tours of historic shipwrecks. Through LCD monitors aboard the Horizon, participants will watch as divers relay a video signal and narration back to the boat. Evening sunset cruises are also available. The Chadwick Bay Beach Bash (August 3-4, 2008) highlights the sandy harbor beaches with sand sculpture displays and contests, volleyball tournaments, car cruise in and multiple live entertainment acts. Every Thursday from June 26 – September 18, enjoy free music on the pier from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. In addition to the entertainment series, the Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace opens May 15th featuring eight retail shops and vendors on the pier.
Scandinavian Folk Festival (Jamestown, www.scandinavianjamestown.org)
Be Nordic for a day and celebrate Jamestown’s strong Scandinavian heritage (July 18-20, 2008) with non-stop, live Scandinavian music, dancing and comedy, cultural workshops, and a re-creation of daily life in a Viking Village. Observe and learn as crafters create hardanger embroidery, chip carving, and weaving. On Saturday morning, make a Midsummer head wreath and enjoy ring dances around the midsummer pole. Visit with Karen Larsson, granddaughter of Swedish painter Carl Larsson and see his art print exhibit. Several vendors offer Scandinavian gifts handcrafted by local artisans. Each daily fee includes admission to the Festival and all events, dinner at the Festival Food Booth in order to taste a bit of Scandinavia, plus a warm korv or korvburger sandwich, and a Lingonberry juice drink. On Sunday, worship with the festival musicians at First Lutheran Church on Chandler Street in Jamestown. According to Swedish-American Landmarks (Winquist) it is the only Swedish church in the United States that is designated a cathedral. The sanctuary, designed in the shape of a cross, was completed in 1901 and has stained glass windows portraying Jesus, Martin Luther and King Gustavus Adolphus.
Chautauqua Institution (Chautauqua, www.ciweb.org)
Boz Scaggs opens the 2008 Program Season at Chautauqua Institution, June 21st at 8:15 pm in the Amphitheater. Additional 2008 Amphitheater specials include Linda Eder and The Duke Ellington Orchestra (July 11th), An Evening with Wynonna (July 18th), Kenny Loggins (July 25th), Bruce Hornsby & The Noise Makers (August 8th), Vince Gill (August 22nd) and Bill Cosby (August 23rd). Visit www.ciweb.org for more information and a preview of the season’s schedule.
Event Highlights June-August:
Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival, June 6-8, www.fredopera.org
Mayville Bluegrass Festival, June 14-15, www.mayvillebluegrassfestival.com
Strawberry Festival, June 14-15, www.merrittestatewinery.com
E Scow National Championship Regatta, June 27-29
Jamestown Jammers Baseball Season, June 15 – September 5, www.jamestownjammers.com
Chautauqua Institution Season, June 21 – August 24, www.ciweb.org
Bemus Bay Pops, June 29 – August 24, www.bemusbaypops.com
Lily Dale Assembly Season, June 27 – September 1, www.lilydaleassembly.com
Great Blue Heron Music Festival, July 4-6, www.greatblueheron.com
Festivals 2007 Chautauqua Craft Alliance, July 11-13 and August 8-10, [Back to Press Releases Main]
