Even with just the normal schedule of events, it would be a busy weekend in Chautauqua County.
Throw in the Gerry Rodeo, the Italian Festival at St. John's and the Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy, and it's a mammoth weekend for fun.
Here are just some of your entertainment options.
JR. GUILDERS, UNEXPECTED GUESTS PERFORMING
Everyone knows about the top-notch lineup of national performers, headlined by Joan Rivers tonight and Paula Poundstone on Saturday night, that will be in town in the coming days for the Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy.
What may have slipped under the radar is the fact that a pair of local groups are also taking the stage as part of the festivities.
Friday night at 8 p.m., the Junior Guilders of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre will present ''Light The Candles,'' a celebration of the lives of Ball and Desi Arnaz. The show, which the Guilders first performed in 1991 when the theater was rededicated in Ball's name, is designed to tell the story of the famous Jamestown resident's life. It features favorite songs including ''Babalu,'' ''Hooray for Hollywood,'' ''That's Entertainment'' and many more.
Tickets for the Junior Guilders show are $10 and are available by calling the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center at 484-0800. They can also be purchased at the door.
Friday night at 10 p.m., following the Rooftop Comic Showcase at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, Jamestown's local improv comedy troupe - the Unexpected Guests - will give a show next door at the Reg Studio Theatre. Consisting of Gary Peters, Jane Fischer, Timothy Smeal, Alison Barry, Wayne Carlsson, Heather Felton and Malachi Livermore, the group brings games to the stage and asks for audience input to bring the act together.
General admission for the show is $5 at the door. For more information, visit facebook.com/theunexpectedguests.
99TH ANNUAL ELLINGTON TOWN PICNIC
In downtown Ellington this weekend, a great number of activities are planned as the town marks its 99th annual town picnic.
The event kicks off Friday night at 5 p.m. with food, rides and music by Paul Zittle and Pure Country.
The big day of the picnic is Saturday, when a full slate of fun is planned. A baby show will begin at 11 a.m., while a wood-cutting contest gets under way at 11:30. The afternoon will bring a pet show at 12:30, a cake auction at 2 and horseshoe pitching beginning at 4:30. The evening will see a parade that will step off at 7 p.m. and fireworks to close the affair.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Backwoods Bluegrass at 12:45 p.m. and Black Widow at 10 p.m., and food will come in the form of a chicken barbecue by the Ellington Fire Department and a smorgasbord dinner by the Ellington United Methodist Church.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
ZEBRO'S - Derek Davis will play along with Vince Gorski tonight from 6 to 9. Zebro's is located at 8254 First St. in Westfield, down in Barcelona harbor. To find out more, call 326-2017.
THE LAKEVIEW - Kris Meekins will play tonight. Saturday night, Bill Ward will play. Derek Davis will play Tuesday night, and Brian Hanna will play Wednesday night. All shows will be from 6 to 9. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more information, call 753-2813.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Tonight, the Casino Bar will host Tommy Z Band from 6 to 10. Friday, Red Rhythm will play from 6 to 10, followed by ZOAR from 10:30 to 2:30. Saturday's entertainment lineup will include Ghost Riders from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., Tommy Z Band from 6 to 10 and Last Chance Band from 10:30 to 2:30. Wednesday night, Souled will play from 6 to 10. For more information about the Casino Bar, visit senecaalleganycasino.com.
MAYVILLE CONCERT SERIES - Razz and Friends will play tonight from 6:30 to 8:30. The Entertainment in the Park series is held each Thursday night in the Village Green Park at the intersection of routes 394 and 430 in Mayville. Attendees should bring their own seating. For more information, call 753-3113 or visit www.mayvillechautauquachamber.org.
CELORON LEGION - Tonight, the Blue Grass Jam hosted by Backwoods Bluegrass will take place from 7 to 10, with all bluegrass musicians invited to join in. Saturday night, Ken Hardley and the Henways will be providing music from 8 to midnight. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
RICHARD O. HARTLEY PARK - The Bonnie Loch Fiddlers will play tonight at 7 as part of the village of Lakewood's summer concert series. For information about upcoming shows in the series, visit www.lakewoodny.com.
RANDOLPH CONCERT SERIES - Brian Hanna and Scott Horton will play Friday night from 6 to 8. The Randolph Friday Night Concert Series is held on the lawn at Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts, located at 127 Main St. in the town. For more information about the concert series, contact the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation at 358-9701.
WARREN LEGION - Rob Vance will be the entertainment Friday night beginning at 9. American Legion Post 135 is located at 412 Pennsylvania Ave. W. in Warren. For more info, call 814-723-8380.
THE BULLFROG - Ken Hardley and the Henways will take the stage Friday night at 10. The Bullfrog Hotel is at 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 665-9043.
VILLAGE CASINO - The Intent will play Friday night at 10. Saturday night at 10, New Wave Nation will play during a Mardi Gras Party. Sunday night at 9, Dueling Pianos will be the entertainment. The Village Casino is at 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point. For more info, call 386-2333.
SPEED'EEZ - Two For Flinching will play Friday night beginning at 10. Speed'eez is at 1 E. Main St. (Route 20) in North East, Pa.; for more info, call 814-725-9933.
ARKWRIGHT TOWN PICNIC - Backwoods Bluegrass will be the entertainment Saturday evening from 5 to 8. The Arkwright Town Picnic will take place on the Cassadaga American Legion's picnic grounds, at the corner of Bard and Burnham roads.
PINE JUNCTION - The Duke Sherman Band will be playing Saturday night from 8 until midnight. Pine Junction is located at 9757 Bailey Hill Road in Sherman and can be reached at 769-7854 for more information.
LUCILLE BALL MEMORIAL PARK - Jackson Rohm will play Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 as part of the Village of Celoron summer concer series. Lucille Ball Memorial Park is in Celoron, on Chautauqua Lake.
FINDLEY LAKE - The Harbour Knights will play in the Litz Gazebo on Wednesday night at 7 as part of the Findley Lake summer concert series sponsored by the Alexander Findley Community Library. Desserts and refreshments will be available for donations. For more information, visit www.findleylake.org.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Dave Emke by emailing demke@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.