It’s the latest event that’s bringing more visitation and spotlight to a treasured resource and a highly-frequented area. Sailboat racing that began earlier in the week in Mayville adds to the list of established and new activities taking place in and around the lake.

According to Tom Hubbell, co-chairman of the sailing event, turnout was high with boats coming from every corner of the country from Seattle and San Diego to Jacksonville and Connecticut.

“My neighbors at the lake and I wanted to expose our sailing friends to what we believe is among the very best sailing venues in the country,” Hubbell said. “We’re excited and the sailors are coming to appreciate Chautauqua Lake and the many cultural and recreational opportunities.”

During the summer season, Chautauqua Lake welcomes a number of regular fishing and sailing events. Along with established festivals and gatherings near the lake come new events like competitive sailing, the Chautauqua Gran Fondo and the Dragon Boat Race. The Gran Fondo is entering its third year with more than 500 cyclists ready to tour around the lake on one of four courses this year. The Dragon Boat festival enters its second year as teams will race off the shoreline near Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron.

Boaters from all over the county were expected at the Thistle National Championship. Attendees were expected from Seattle and San Doego to Jacksonville and Connecticut. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

“There are good ways to match peoples’ interests with either being right on the lake or around the lake,” said Andrew Nixon, executive director for the Chautauqua County Visitors’ Bureau. “With all lakes, they are central to visitation during the summer. They are at the heart of fireworks displays, the visitation and the activity.”

The Gran Fondo not only brings in cyclists of all abilities, but it also showcases notable destinations along the way like 59 Lucy Lane. Michelle Turner, vice president of marketing for the county Industrial Development Agency, said it’s not a cycling race. It’s a tour and a place for fun and entertainment.

“We developed four scenic routes around the lake,” Turner said. “We’re adding more exposure to Chautauqua County.”

Turner said many of those already registered are coming from outside the county. This year, she said there’s been an increased draw from the Buffalo area. Cyclists are also coming from Ontario, Canada and Pittsburgh.

In its infancy, Turner said the cycling tour is seeing a lot of growth. This year’s cycling tour is set for Aug. 26.

“We’re doing what we set out to do, and that was to bring tourism to Chautauqua County,” she said.

The first Dragon Boat Race held last year saw around 15 boats and more than 1,000 people. Teams were from the community as well as Ithaca, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.This year’s race, which will take place Aug. 12., will see around 30 teams.

A dragon boat seats 10 paddlers with a steersperson standing in the stern to guide the boat and a drummer in the bow to motivate the team to keep the paddlers in sync.

“We’ve doubled,” said Scott Schrecengost, co-chair for the planning committee that formulated the race. “Some of the people that signed up are local and are here to have fun. We have seen an increase in real competitive teams from different states coming.”

Nixon said events throughout Chautauqua County are included on the Visitors Bureau’s online calendar. They also send out event reminders through Facebook.

“We have about 25,000 people looking at our Facebook page on a regular basis,” he said. “We do newsletters to consumers to subscribe to receive regular information, and that’s a group of 15,000 visitors. Things like the Gran Fondo and Dragon Boat Race are featured and many other things.”