One visit to the Winter Garden Plaza last Thursday encapsulated for me everything that I love about this town.

Although it was the fourth Third Thursday event to be held this summer, it was the first that I had attended; and it was nothing short of awesome.

Upon my arrival, I immediately recognized at least around two dozen faces in the crowd (and that doesn’t even include all the people I knew in the bands that were playing that evening). After only a few minutes, I had shaken hands and exchanged salutations with probably upwards of 10 acquaintances – continuing a tradition I began at that very same venue during past Third Thursday events extending back two seasons. And that number continued to climb throughout the duration of the event.

It never ceases to amaze me at how tight-knit and supportive the members of our arts community is of one another. These are the people who can always be found out and about, checking out shows and exhibits and all the while offering words of kindness or encouragement either in-person or via social media.

These people are persistently passionate proponents of all that is good and original to our city; all that makes us unique in the art and community that we create for ourselves and each other. I still get lost in the joy I feel when reconnecting with those I’ve met at Jamestown’s many regular downtown functions over the past few years.

Third Thursday is a prime example of how my many worlds can occasionally collide into an amalgamation – and sometimes cacophony – of all that I’ve built for myself and seen constructed by others around me. It’s an honor to be a part of an extremely disparate, yet close community that will always turn out for one another.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to close out this year’s concert series with The Elektra Kings next month, when we open for The Audience on Thursday, Sept. 15. It’s going to be a party of previously unparalleled proportion from my own experience.

Can it just be September already?

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Inaugural Beer And Wing Festival Is Saturday: The first annual Beer and Wing Festival will be presented by the Media 1 Group and the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. The event will feature wing tasting and craft beer sampling from the Southern Tier’s best, as well as business vendors from around the area. Only 600 spots are available, and each ticket holder will receive five free wings. Tickets are $30 for those intending to sample craft beers and $15 for designated drivers. Non-designated driver ticket holders will receive a commemorative Beer and Wing Festival drinking glass with logo. Must be 21 years of age to attend.

For more information, or to make reservations, visit jamestownarena.com, call 484-2624 or stop by the JSBA’s Landmark Chevrolet box office.

Second Annual Gran Fondo Is Saturday: After a successful inaugural year in 2015, the second annual Chautauqua Gran Fondo is scheduled for Saturday. The Gran Fondo is a community event designed to promote health and well-being for bicyclists of all skill levels while raising funds for local nonprofit organizations. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Chautauqua Lake and its surrounding historic destinations on one of four scenic routes. There will plenty of rest stops, photo ops and full support on the road. Both teams and individuals are welcome to sign up and ride.

The event developed, produced and marketed by the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, will raise funds for local charities including the Southwestern Schools Education Foundation, the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County and the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund. The Gran Fondo will conclude with an after-party at Webb’s Captains Table including a live band and a for-kids-only free ice cream sundae station.

For more information or to register visit chautauquagranfondo.com.

Night Lights Music Festival Is This Weekend: The annual Night Lights Music Festival will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Green Heron Growers grounds in Sherman. This year’s lineup includes: Beats Antique; Eric Krasno Band; Moon Hooch; The London Souls; Jimkata; Aqueous; Holly Bowling; Tropidelic; Lazlo Hollyfeld playing Radiohead; Broccoli Samurai; Smackdab; Justin Pietrowski Trio; Buffalo Afrobeat Project feat Preach Freedom; Eric Brewer and Friends; Funktional Flow; Aircraft; Relics performing Pink Floyd’s “Animals”; The LEC; The Commonheart; The Tins; Folkfaces and Friends; Jazz Breakfast with The Truth; Sonder; Gnosis; The Observers; Daybreak Radio; Tough Old Bird; Pine Fever; French Quarter Hounds; and Adam’s Acoustic Project. Night-time sets will be provided by Soul Night with Sugar City Arts Collaborative, and Neon Veins. Weekend passes are $125 at the gate. Friday and Saturday passes are $65 at the gate.

For more information on this year’s festival and lineup, or to purchase tickets, find the event on Facebook or visit nightlightsfest.com.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Adam McKillip: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Derek Davis Duo: 6 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamsetown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Bryan Moore: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Sam Hyman Duo: 7 p.m., The Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

“The BFG” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Sam Hyman: 9 p.m., Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant, 115 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Steve Strickland Duo: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

DJ Griz: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Rebecca and the Soul Shakers: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

“The BFG” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Qwister: 2 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Alex Kates: 6 p.m., Celoron Moose, 52 Dunham Ave. in Celoron

Claire Stuczynski: 7 p.m., The Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Saloonatics: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Free Jukebox: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

We Speak Canadian: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Steelhorse: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Free Cover: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Sunday

Bob Campbell and Liz Osborne: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Steelhorse: 2 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Bill Ward and Company: 4 p.m., The Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Chris Vogt and Friends: 6 p.m., Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant, 115 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Bill Ward: 6 p.m., Andriaccio’s, 4837 Route 430 in Chautauqua