VOLUME 6 ISSUE 36
SEPTEMBER 8-14, 2017
By Alicia Dziak
If you’re looking for ways to connect with the great outdoors that are above and beyond your typical hikes, look no further than the Enchanted Mountains, a hub of September activity. Art, nature, education and music come together at some unique local events and activities this month. Griffis Sculpture Park is one of the area’s hidden gems. With over 250 sculptures gracing the park, there are meandering trails, with each sculpture placed with the natural setting in mind, creating a truly unique experience between art and nature. The park is a daytime attraction, beckoning hundreds of visitors to explore it every spring, summer and fall. The rare opportunity to check out the park at night once again arrives next week, when NIGHT LIGHTS return Wednesday, Sept. 13 and runs on select evenings through Sunday, Oct. 8. For the fifth consecutive autumn, Griffis Sculpture Park will again be illuminated with colorful and theatrical lighting. NIGHT LIGHTS will be open 17 nights for guests to view the interaction between lights, nature and art. The show has attracted over 5,000 visitors since 2013. “Over the past four years, NIGHT LIGHTS has been a fun and creative way to bring visitors to the Griffis Sculpture Park. In addition to raising revenue for the park, it gives people another reason to come out to visit such a unique place,” said Doug Sitler of Sitler HQ, who creates the light displays. “A lot of people look forward in coming to the sculpture park for NIGHT LIGHTS each year. Many drive into Springville or Ellicottville for dinner before coming out to see the lights.” If you’ve never experienced NIGHT LIGHTS at the park, you’ll be blown away by
Unique Outdoor Adventures in EVL
Upcoming Events Weekend Chairlift Rides Spruce Lake, Holiday Valley September 13-16 NIGHT LIGHTS at Griffis Sculpture Park Begins September 15-17 Rock n’ Roll Weekend Ellicottville September 16 Pumpkinville Opens September 22 ECS Homecoming September 22-24 Ellicottville Lacrosse Festival September 23-24 National Alpaca Farm Days September 23-24 Community Boot Drive for Hurricane Harvey October 7-8 Fall Fest Ellicottville October 7 Fall Festival 5K October 8 Fall Festival Mountain Bike Race
Get Ready to Rock and Roll Sept. 15-17
See Outdoor Adventures page 5
It’s September in Ellicottville, and although summer is coming to a close, there are still plenty of opportunities to get your dose of hot music and cool cars. Rock and Roll Weekend, returns Sept. 15-17, presented by Northtown Auto, and it’s sure to entertain.
The weekend starts Friday night, Sept. 15 with the finale of Ellicottville’s Stroll the Streets. The shops are open and the streets are full of great family-friendly activities. You never know what to expect. You may encounter stilt walkers, henna tattoo artists, maybe event giant soap bubbles or balloon sculpture artists. There is even a movie at the Village Gazebo. The Stroll runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Madigan’s hosts Ellicottville favorites, Party Squad. in their green bar Friday night at 6. Party Squad is made up of Buffalo Music Hall of Fame members and is regionally one of the most recognized and respected bands playing. At 7 p.m., Darkwater Duo will be on the mainstage at Balloons. The band, usually just a duo but occasionally has others sitting in, plays some great acoustic mix covers of familiar songs. They are quickly building a following See Rock and Roll page 9
ECS sports are in full swing! Check out photos and schedules on page 5.
October 28 EVL Half and 5K
Pumpkinville Opens Next Weekend
If you’re like the thousands of regulars who are counting down the days until Pumpkinville opens, the wait is
By Alicia Dziak
almost over. On Saturday, Sept. 16, this popular fall destination will open for the season, with numerous activities, delicious cool weather food and lots of pumpkins awaiting your arrival! For the second year in a row, Hollywood Studios are affiliating with Pumpkinville to celebrate a special anniversary. This year, Universal Pictures
is partnering for the 75th Anniversary of Curious George and its upcoming movie. It is only one of a handful of places across America selected by Universal. Pumpkinville has included Curious George in the design of their six-acre corn maze. The official character will also be visiting Pumpkinville
Run kicks off at 9:30 a.m. from Holiday Valley, when runners take to the local streets on this fun, challenging and climbing finish course. A fun post-race party takes place at the Holiday Valley Mountain Sports Center with light lunch, beverages and great door
prizes. The race helps support HEART Animal Shelters and the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol. Toe register or for more info, visit www.heartrateup.com. The following day, on Oct. 8, the Fall Festival Mountain Bike race takes
See Pumpkinville page 2
Three EVL Races Coming Up
On your mark, get set, go! The fall race season is just getting started and now’s the time to sign up! Right here in Ellicottville, you have your pick. On Saturday, Oct. 7, the Annual Fall Festival 5K
By Jennie Acklin
See EVL Races page 2
Back to School, Back to Work
ECS Board of Education President Connie Hellwig called the first meeting of the 2017/18 school year to order Tuesday evening, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Superintendent Robert Miller acknowledged the
“excitement in the air” with the return of students on their first day. School bus routes were discussed, with a change request coming from West Valley school district, requesting the pickup of students at Beaver Meadows Road and Route 219 be moved
See Back to School page 5