Villaggio to Host Annual Snowmakers Ball
Villaggio to Host Annual Snowmakers Ball
A Fabulous Event to Celebrate Our Local Ski Industry Personnel
Photos Courtesy of Holiday Valley
Although the ski season began with a few wintry storms, total snow accumulation this winter has been on the lower end of the spectrum. Without the hard work of Holiday Valley and HoliMont employees, there wouldn’t have been much of a ski season, noted Andrea Austin, general manager of Villaggio and organizer of the annual Snowmakers Ball, which celebrates the hard work of Ellicottville’s ski personnel at the end of every winter. “It’s the whole team we’re celebrating, not just snowmakers,” said Austin. “Snowmakers, ski lift operators, groomers, and the whole maintenance crew - that’s who we’re celebrating.”
All are invited to Villaggio on Thursday, April 20 from 5:00-9:00pm to honor those who make Ellicottville’s ski season possible. “It’s just a nice thank you to the snowmakers, especially this year, to show our appreciation,” Austin explained. “They’re going in when we’re sleeping at night or early in the morning in brutal conditions just to make sure the slopes are going! It’s a lot of really hard work.”
Restaurants from all over town donate food for the event, which features a delicious buffet and live music; guitarist and vocalist Tim Britt will be performing from 5:30-8:30pm. There is no cover charge to attend the event; however, each year, donations are accepted for a cause of the snowmakers’ choosing. This year, the Frank Pitillo Memorial Lighting Fund, which is raising money to install new lighting at Ellicottville Central School’s football field, is the chosen cause.
In addition to delicious food and great music, the celebration also features a silent auction, comprised of donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the Ellicottville community. Local sculptor and winner of Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins,” Eric Jones will be at this year’s Snowmakers Ball doing free caricature drawings. While snowmakers and other crew members are the guests of honor, Austin emphasized that this event is open to everyone to celebrate the end of the season and let the ski crews know how much they are valued and appreciated.
Villaggio is continuing to accept donations for silent auction items. Those who would like to contribute can contact Austin via email at andrea@villaggioevel.com or call the restaurant at 716-699-2199 to make arrangements to drop off donation items.