Experience Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival
Experience Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival
The Summer’s Biggest Party is Coming in June
It’s festive. It’s nostalgic. It’s tradition. And this year it’s set for June 30-July 2nd. From start to finish, Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival is an experience that keeps families coming back year after year. Why? Let’s break it down…
LIVE IN CONCERT: It wouldn’t be Summer Music Festival without the music. This year’s Saturday night lineup at Holiday Valley includes The Players featuring former members of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire, with opening act Barracuda-A Heart Tribute Band. Sunday welcomes back the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing to an awe-inspiring fireworks display. With an iconic slopeside backdrop and wide open air venue, there’s plenty of space to bring your whole family and all of your friends!
FIREWORKS: The best seat in the house is the one that comes with your Sunday concert ticket. You’ll want to bring a blanket big enough to sprawl out on your back and enjoy the show. The BPO always delivers, performing the greatest songs honoring America’s birthday while the most spectacular colors explode in the night sky. The anticipation runs high, the booms are loud, and the finale will have you mesmerized. It’s a heart-pounding experience that the kiddos, especially, won’t soon forget.
BYOB: What sets this venue apart from the rest? While most concert halls and stadiums don’t allow you to bring in your own bevies, Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival ENCOURAGES you to pack a cooler with all your favorite drinks and snacks. Did someone say charcuterie? Bring the collapsable camping table, your chairs, a tablecloth and a set of fancy non-breakable wine glasses. This is an outdoor music festival, in style!
THEATER: Who could ever forget John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 musical, Grease. Taking place in the summer of 1958, local boy Danny Zuko and vacationing Australian Sandy Olsson meet at the beach and fall in love. When the summer comes to an end, Sandy frets that they may never meet again, but Danny tells her that their love is "only the beginning”. It’s one thing to watch Grease on the screen; it’s a whole different experience to see it played out live! Kick off your Summer Music Fest weekend with a live performance of Grease at the Gazebo downtown, Friday, June 30th at 7:00pm. Blankets, chairs, picnic baskets and the whole family are welcome, FREE! Heck, bring the family pet with you!
PET PARADE: Speaking of pets, perhaps the most adorable feature of Summer Music Fest is the parade of animals down Ellicottville’s main drag, dressed in their festive best. Dogs, goats, ponies, ducks, guinea pigs, lizards… all types of pets are invited! It’s quite a show for spectators! No registration required; everyone can participate! Watch for details as we get closer.
SHOPPING AND DINING: Of course, you’ll want to carve out some time to saunter the sidewalks of the downtown business district. Ellicottville has an eclectic variety of shopping opportunities - from artisan pottery at Alexandra to western inspired apparel at Daff to Ellicottville logo’d souvenirs at The Tee Bar to remember your visit (grab a soft serve ice cream while you’re there). Fill up the old gas tank with a fresh chicken or steak burrito from Bike & Bean, a hearty bacon tomato jam burger from Steelbound Brewery, or opt for a healthy poached pear and gorgonzola salad on the patio of Dina’s Restaurant.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: How much excitement can you pack in one weekend? Besides high energy concerts and theater performances, a pet extravaganza and all the shopping and dining you could ask for, Ellicottville boasts a menu full of other activities to fill your schedule - wine tastings, brewery tours, mountain coaster rides, ziplining, mountain biking, paddleboarding, historical walking tours or just simply sitting under a shade tree and taking it all in… what are you waiting for! Head to ellicottvilleny.com to plan your Ellicottville adventure during our biggest festival of the summer!