Come Float the Allegheny
Come Float the Allegheny
Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Encourages Businesses to Sign Up a Team
OLEAN - The old saying of ‘Go Jump in the Lake’ meant go away or leave me alone. GOACC officials want a different version - When you jump in the ‘river’, you don't go where you want to go, you go where the river takes you! Float the Allegheny on Saturday, May 20th will take you from Olean to Allegany on the Allegheny River.
Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and its 46 corporate sponsors are hosting the 2nd Annual Float the Allegheny - floaters will drop in by kayak, canoe, or other floating vessels at the South Union Street boat ramp in Olean from 10:00-11:00am and will take the 4.69 miles of the Allegheny River to the Allegany boat launch (off First Street, Allegany).
Float the Allegheny participant tickets are $20 each which includes a float wet dry bag (promo item, while supplies last) and refreshments (food and two brews). Purchase your float ticket by calling 716-372-4433 or go online at shop.oleanny.com. There is no minimum age to participate; those 16 and under will need to have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.
This year's Float will be modeled after the Chamber’s successful foot race, Corporate Challenge. The float event will follow suit with the goal of supporting companies in creating internal wellness programs and promoting team-building, fitness and friendly competition.
“We are encouraging companies and organizations to turn in teams of floaters. There is a team form to use that has a special incentive for those with members of 11 or more,” stated Meme K. Yanetsko, GOACC COO. Individuals, families and friends are also invited to participate; online registration is available as well as calling into the Chamber office.
FLOAT AFTER PARTY
The Olean Cornhole Club will be bringing their boards and bags and providing three tournaments at the Float After Party. The Blind Draw is 11:00am with a fee of $10. You will be assigned a random partner, double elimination, top 3 payout. The Kids Blind Draw is at 12:30pm for ages 7-16; fee is $5. Switcholio will be at 3:00pm; fee is $15 with a guaranteed 6 games, 4 rounds of round robin, then into a double elimination, top 3 payout. Every paid entry will receive 2 free drink tokens. Please pre-register on scoreholio.com or just show up.
The Float After Party is scheduled from noon-5:00pm. Pull out your floating vessel at the Allegany boat launch and then come to the party at the River Park right next door to the launch in Allegany. Enjoy a variety of vendors - crafters, baked goods, direct marketers, aromatherapy, crystals and divinity sets. The Hungry Burro will have their delicious foods to enjoy (your food voucher can be redeemed here) and Wright Beverage Distributors will be providing adult beverages.
For those at the After Party, enjoy a Healing Sound Bath by Rev. Suzy Woo, B.Msc. of Good for the Spirit Gifts of Ellicottville. The Healing Sound Bath is a full-body meditative experience where people listen to resonant sounds. Rev. Woo will bring her large gongs and singing bowls. Cattaraugus Creek will be taking to the ‘stage’ at 2:00pm. Cattaraugus Creek features Kirk Windus (singer/guitar), Steve Capitani (lead guitar), Cole Ramsey (drums) and Tyler Veno (bass).
Sarah Blovsky, GOACC Membership Manager added, “Another goal of Float the Allegheny is to encourage people to ‘get into the river’ and have a whale of a good time in the process. Although not timed, and basically anyone can participate, we want to also load the Allegheny with many floaters! Last year, there were 127 floaters with this year’s goal to hit 300!”
The Chamber is also looking for 20 Float Ambassadors who will take to social media and ‘influence’ and promote the Float to their following, friends and families. Incentives are built in for the ambassadors as they secure participants to float. For those interested in vending, GOACC is looking for vendors that include arts & crafts, artisans, catalog/home party, farm market stands with an endless line of products including but not limited to artwork, ceramics, clothing, furnishings, jewelry, plants, flowers, textiles and more. Please call the chamber for more information on either opportunity.
Team registration forms can be found online at www.oleanny.com. Single registration for the Float the Allegheny can be found online at shop.oleanny.com. For more information or questions, please call the Greater Olean Area Chamber at 716-372-4433 or email info@oleanny.com.