Annual SKYJAM to lift off this weekend

Submitted photoHot air balloon rides will be featured at SKYJAM.

8/2/2006 - Area residents and visitors are invited to join Chautauqua Leadership Network members at SKYJAM 2006: A hot air balloon rally. This annual event is set for Friday and Saturday at the old Chautauqua County Airport off Route 60, north of Jamestown.

Gates open each day at 3 p.m., parking is $5 per vehicle and admission to the grounds is free. In addition to the balloon launches set for dusk on Friday and Saturday and dawn on Saturday, there will be bandstand entertainment, airplane rides, kite-flying opportunities, a variety of food vendors and other family-centered activities.“Over 17 hot air balloons will be at SKYJAM this year,” stated co-chairs Jean McGowan and Bill Burley. “Some returning favorites will be joining us, but there are some new balloons for the crowd to enjoy. In addition to flying over our county, the balloonists will return to the airport grounds each night for a spectacular balloon glow.”McGowan continued, “Bring a blanket or lawn chair and plan on spending the evening watching the balloons lift off, fill the skies and then return to light up the night with colors during the glow.”Burley added, “Bandstand entertainment this year includes Kokomo Time, Shotgun Suit and Emerald City Productions.

We’re especially excited to have contestants from the Chautauqua Lake Idol competition join us on Saturday night.”

Sponsors for the annual balloon rally include NRG; McDonalds; TPS; R and R Landscaping; Jamestown Plastics; Acu-Rite; The Gerry Rodeo; HSBC Bank; Buffamonte, Whipple and Buttafaro Accounting Firm; DFT Communications; Jamestown Savings Bank; Starbucks Coffee; Lamar Advertising; Lena’s Pizza; Murak and Associates; Peek and Peak; Greater Buffalo Savings Bank; The Resource Center; Smith and Short Insurance; Community Bank and Jamestown Mattress. Sponsored by Chautauqua Leadership Network, SKYJAM is designed to raise funds to provide scholarships for county residents interested in attending the leadership network classes. Classes begin each February and run throughout the year. The mission of CLN focuses on “identifying and nurturing regional leaders and providing them with the framework and network needed to become civic trustees helping their communities.”

More information about the CLN mission or enrolling in the 2006-2007 class is available at http://www.chautauqualeadership.org/ or by calling Coordinator Pene Hutton at 484-8814.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com