Before stopping at homes across the world on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus is spending Sundays at the Chautauqua Lake Rest Area on Interstate 86 near Bemus Point.
Santa, portrayed by volunteer Patrick Harvey, can be seen around volunteering at the rest area's information center. The center is staffed by 40 volunteers who spend time at the center seven days a week. Many of the volunteers are Retired Senior Volunteer Program members.
Moving into the new year, the volunteers will provide travelers with information about skiing, snowmobiling, Lake Erie Wine Country, Chautauqua Institution and the Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy among the many other sites throughout the county and other areas of New York state. Handouts showing how easy it is to stay in the area and tour Chautauqua County's lakeside villages are helpful to tourists. More than 170 participants have promotional brochures or travel guides at the information center. Their information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Real estate information along with dining, lodging and historic sites are also popular requests.
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Patrick Harvey is shown at the information center of the Chautauqua Lake rest area. Harvey has been helping to spread Christmas cheer as one of many volunteers at the rest area.
Throughout the year, the center, managed by the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, is able to provide display space at no cost for the purpose of promoting upcoming events, museums, area attractions and programs. Current displays include the Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, snowmobiling, Lake Erie Wine Country, Findley Lake and Peek 'n Peak Resort.
For more information on visiting the area or displaying information, contact the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau at 866-908-4569.