ELLICOTTVILLE — Communities everywhere are gearing up for the change of seasons, evident in the trees which have already begun to turn vibrant shades of orange, red and gold.
In Ellicottville, the tradition that brings people together to celebrate autumn’s beauty and the excitement of the upcoming winter is the annual Fall Festival, set this year for Oct. 12 and 13. Produced by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, Fall Fest is the largest gathering on the chamber’s event calendar, welcoming 10,000-plus visitors in a single weekend.
From the downtown business district to the tops of the ski hills, the weekend packs a full schedule of activities, live music and spectacular fall foliage views. Approximately 200 vendors will set up in the downtown streets for one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the region. From handcrafted jewelry to beautifully painted ceramics, attendees can browse unique creations that embody the spirit of autumn.
“Many vendors incorporate seasonal themes, offering items like hand-knit scarves, pumpkin spice candles, and festive decorations that capture the essence of the fall season,” said Brian McFadden, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “And since we’re in Bills country, you can expect a number of vendors offering Bills apparel and merchandise as well.”
Beyond the arts and crafts vendors, a full outdoor food court with the flavors of Ellicottville’s established restaurants will satisfy attendees’ taste buds.
“In addition to all the food, our local craft breweries, distilleries and wineries will be featuring seasonal drink specials,” McFadden added. “A taste of pumpkin ale or spiced cider can be the perfect way to toast to the changing season. Our local coffee shops and bakeries have wonderful fall menus, too — the perfect pick-me-up to keep you motoring through the weekend.”
This year’s Fall Festival will welcome special guest Eric Jones, the West Clarksville resident who was a finalist in Food Network’s “Halloween Wars.” A multi-faceted artist, Jones is also a winner of Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” and recently claimed the Guinness World Record for carving the largest Jack-o-lantern.
Jones will be set up in the middle of the village on Fall Festival Sunday, showcasing his pumpkin carving skills live for the public to witness.
“We’ve featured the works of Eric Jones here in Ellicottville in past years with his snow sculptures, and we’re excited to bring him back this year for something a little different,” said Barb Pump, the chamber’s executive assistant. “Kids and adults alike will enjoy watching his pumpkin carving demonstrations. He’ll carve as many as he can, and towards the end of the afternoon, we’ll auction off all of his works with proceeds donated to the Ellicottville Playground project to raise money to build a new, inclusive playground in Ellicottville’s Village Park.”
For those looking for more adventure during Fall Fest, head to Holiday Valley and enjoy another round of fun. The resort will be offering chairlift rides to the top of the mountain where leaf peeping and live entertainment await.
HoliMont will also offer chairlift rides to the top of Expo, plus the HoliMont Bike Park will operate its final weekend of lift access for the season.
Just down the road from Ellicottville, Pumpkinville offers one of the largest pumpkin patches in the region which also boasts a corn maze, beer garden, its very own cider mill, a cow train and plenty of fun games and activities for the whole family.
At its heart, the Fall Festival is a celebration of community, chamber officials say, serving as a platform for local organizations and charities, fostering a spirit of giving back. Look for information booths and donation drives throughout the weekend while sauntering through the village.
For more information about this year’s Fall Festival, visit ellicottvilleny.com.
