Celebrate Fall Festival this Weekend: Village Advises the Public of Preparations

Oct 9

photo / Nadine Saviano

ELLICOTTVILLE - The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with presenting sponsor T-Mark, will host its annual Fall Festival October 11-12th, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors for a weekend of seasonal celebration. Recently ranked #12 on Country Living’s list of top fall festivals in the U.S., the event remains the largest on the Chamber’s calendar.

The festival spans the entire village and will feature 200+ vendors in one of the region’s largest outdoor arts & crafts shows. Enjoy live music at venues throughout the village, plus a wide variety of food vendors set up carnival-style in the streets. You’ll also find a dedicated section of WNY’s favorite football team–themed merchandise on the lawn of the 1887 Building,

The celebration extends to the ski hills at both our local resorts. Holiday Valley will offer chairlift rides to the mountain summit with panoramic foliage views and entertainment. HoliMont will operate scenic chairlift rides and welcome downhill mountain bikers to its Bike Park all weekend, including an additional Bike Park day on Monday, October 13th. Nearby, Pumpkinville in Great Valley will add to the experience with its pumpkin patch, corn maze, cider mill, and family activities.

Community organizations are also central to this year’s festival. Hope Rises, a Buffalo-based nonprofit supporting children and families affected by pediatric cancer, will host an informational tent. Ellicottville Central School students and faculty will manage paid parking at the Mill Street lot to benefit the Sports Boosters, and the Ellicottville Playground Committee will share plans for a proposed inclusive playground at Village Park.

Please note: Several village streets will be closed to traffic beginning Friday. Drivers are asked to follow the clearly marked detour signs to ensure safe and efficient travel around the festival area.

“Not only has Fall Festival become one of the region’s favorite destinations for leaf peeping and autumn celebrations, but it is also a true community tradition,” said Barb Pump, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to showcase local businesses, organizations, and partners while welcoming visitors from across Western New York and beyond.” For event details, parking updates, and schedules, visit ellicottvilleny.com.

A NOTE FROM THE MAYOR

As Ellicottville readies itself to host its largest festival of the year, we would like to let you know what we have been working on... The Special Events committee, Ellicottville Police Department, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, Cattaraugus County Emergency Services, NY State Police, Ellicottville Fire Department, Village and Town Boards, Code Enforcement, DPW, Chamber of Commerce, NYS DOT, along with input from local residents, merchants, and bar owners have been working diligently on ways to improve Fall Festival as we know it.

ZERO TOLERANCE is the LAW and will be strictly enforced. This means absolutely no alcohol is allowed on village streets. You will not be allowed to leave an establishment or private property, walk to, from or within the village with open containers. Drink it or leave it. Public intoxication and disorderly conduct will not be tolerated.

NOISE LEVELS have been addressed with the local bars and beer tents. Outdoor live music will end at 11:00pm, and quieter background music until midnight, in accordance with the local noise ordinance. Private homes are also obligated to obey this law.

PARKING: We strongly encourage carpooling, use of shuttles, or walk! Space is limited and illegally parked vehicles (including motorcycles) will be ticketed and towed. Fire lanes, hydrants, and sidewalks are not to be blocked. Observe all temporary and regular “No Parking” signs. Remember that flagmen for private lots are not allowed in the streets. Note that illegally parked vehicles on private property are the landowner’s responsibility.

BUSES: Hired bus drop and pick-up site will be located at the DPW building on the corner of Mill and Martha Streets. Parking for buses is available on Route 219 beyond Holiday Valley Road on the left side of Route 219. Buses will NOT be allowed to load or unload elsewhere. Bus lines will be notified of the open container law and are expected to adhere.

SHUTTLE SERVICE: Daytime loading site is at Jefferson Street and Martha Street both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-7:00pm. Evening site is at the M&T Bank parking lot from 7:00pm-3:00am on Saturday and 7:00pm-midnight on Sunday. Shuttle destinations include most of the condos between the village and Holiday Valley; all other destinations will require taxi service, Uber, etc. For Lyft and Uber service, it is recommended you call in advance as they can be remarkably busy. POLICE WILL NOT GIVE YOU A RIDE!

RESTROOMS: There will be plenty of port-o-johns provided throughout the festival area. They are cleaned routinely; use them! Public urination is against the law and violators will be prosecuted.

EMERGENCY, FIRST AID LOCATION, CELL SERVICE: Sheriff and First Aid trailers will be located on Washington Street across from Katy’s Cafe and Madigan’s. Cash machines are located to the right side of Madigan’s and at the entrance to the food court. In regard to cell service, have a plan if the towers go down. Know where to meet if you are separated.

MERCHANTS: Merchants and restaurants can only set up their own wares in front of their businesses using the crack rule. Sandwich boards, tables/chairs will not be allowed on sidewalks and tree lawns are to be kept open to line of site for emergency personnel.

Please help make Fall Festival safe and enjoyable. If you see something illegal, report it. If you see a mess, clean it up. Play by the rules… the future of Fall Fest depends on it.

Sincerely,

Village Mayor, Special Events Committee, Ellicottville Village & Town Boards, Local, County and State Police Departments, Ellicottville Fire Department, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce