Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember those who have served our country. With parades and ceremonies scheduled countywide, we encourage everyone to find a way to honor our nation’s military heroes.

This weekend is also the unofficial start to the summer season here in Chautauqua County. The next few months will race by quicker than we know, so make plans now to enjoy some of the best our area has to offer in summer events, festivals, and recreation.

In Jamestown, the Jamestown Jammers season kicks off Thursday, June 1, with a home game at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park. The Collegiate Wood Bat Prospect League is where tomorrow’s All Stars spend the summer!

The Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament is back in downtown Jamestown this year, with a couple of hundred teams signed up to play outside the Northwest Arena June 2-4.

The First Friday series begins June 2 on Main Street in Westfield, where the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce provides a street fair featuring live music, shopping, food, wine tasting, art, and more!

Back for its 37th year, the Annual Strawberry Festival at Merritt Estate Winery in Forestville is June 10-11, with live music, craft vendors, a classic car show, and of course wine tastings and winery tours.

The Great Lakes Experience Festival returns to Dunkirk on Saturday June 17. This is a free family event featuring environmental displays, health and wellness organizations, live animals, food trucks, and a free fishing event.

The 2017 summer season at Chautauqua Institution opens June 24, with a sold-out concert by the one and only Aretha Franklin on the stage at the brand new Chautauqua Amphitheater. The Chautauqua season will also include performances by Sheryl Crow, Garrison Keillor, Kool & the Gang, Chris Botti, the Beach Boys, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and an amazing array of other performers, important speakers, authors, classes, and more!

The Dunkirk – Lake Shore Air Show takes to the skies from the Dunkirk City Pier and Memorial Park July 1-2 with food and beverages, special speakers, and a live feed of the show and pilot commentary.

The PGA Web.com LECOM Health Challenge returns to Peek’n Peak in Clymer for the second year in a row, July 6-9. The Web.com Tour is made up of some of the finest up and coming golfers, and is an important stop on their way to a PGA card where they can play in the big money tournaments. Last year’s event was named Rookie of the Year by Web.com – the best new event on the tour. You can buy tickets now through the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. The cost is just $10 for a day pass and proceeds help to support initiatives of the Chamber of Commerce and its Community Chambers including community events, workforce development, business training programs, and more. Week-long general admission passes are also available through the Chamber for $25 each. For more information, call us at 484-1101 or 366-6200.

Bemus Bay Pops celebrates its 20th year of floating stage performances this year with tributes to the Bee Gees, Jimmy Buffet, the Moody Blues, Journey, the Eagles, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and more. The Chautauqua Lake Water Ski Show featuring the award winning Chippewa Lake Water Ski Team will be held Sunday, July 23.

A new festival to our region this summer is the Wild America Nature Festival, July 29-30 at Panama Rocks Scenic Park. Co-hosted by the Park and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, this festival will feature some of the finest in nature art along with natural foods, beverages, and vendors.

These are just a few of the extraordinary offerings here in Chautauqua County this summer season. We encourage residents and visitors alike to frequently check the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau calendar online at www.tourchautauqua.com to take advantage of the great events going on here and get to know Chautauqua County!

MORNINGS ON MAIN PERCOLATING

BUSINESS DISCUSSION

Our weekly Mornings on Main coffee hours around Chautauqua County have literally brought a wide variety of businesses to the table. Discussions have focused on ways to improve foot traffic in our communities and how to meet the workforce needs of some of our smaller businesses. All business people are welcome to attend and join in the discussion. These events are Tuesday mornings at 8:00am for the next several weeks as follows: May 30 with the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber at Parkview CafÈ, 3 East Main Street, Westfield; June 6 with the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber at J & B Mayville Diner, 7 West Chautauqua Avenue, Mayville; and June 13 with the Hanover Community Chamber at Tom’s Family Restaurant, Irving. There is no registration required. Join us for coffee and conversation!

CHAMBER SPRING MEMBERSHIP DRIVE CONTINUES

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Spring Membership Drive continues through June 15, and so far 28 businesses have become part of our Chamber family since the drive began! Our most recent members are Manning’s Fireside Manor Restaurant and Ahold of Mold Environmental, both in Dunkirk. Business people who join during the drive will be entered into a drawing for a variety of prizes. The drawing will be held during our Business After Hours event at Johnson Estate Winery on June 15. For more information or to join online, visit our website at www.chautauquachamber.org or call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST JUNE 2

Each year the Chamber of Commerce provides an opportunity for its members to meet directly with the County Executive and ask questions. This year that event is Friday, June 2 at Chautauqua Golf Club, Route 394, Mayville. County Executive Vince Horrigan will be our special guest. Breakfast begins at 8:30, with registration opening at 8am. The County Executive Breakfast is sponsored by: Chautauqua Institution, Compeer, DFT Communications, Jamestown Mattress Company, Lawley Insurance, Nestle Purina PetCare, Phillips Lytle LLP, The Post-Journal, Serta Mattress Company, Star Media, STEL, and UPMC Chautauqua WCA, and WJTN/SE-93/WKSN/WHUG/WQFX. To make reservations, please call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101, or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org/events.