A car parade made its way through Chautauqua County on Friday in recognition of Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. The parade began in Jamestown and headed toward Mayville, then to the Dunkirk/Fredonia area and ended in Cassadaga. The car parade was held to honor child care providers, a critical component of the frontline workforce. “These early childhood educators are the backbone of the economy,” said Beth Starks, director of the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center. “Without child care, families would not be able to work. These child care programs provide safe, quality care and education in a place where families feel comfortable leaving their children while they are working.”

P-J photos by Eric Tichy