Bemus Bay Event To Mark 10th Anniversary Saturday
By NICHOLAS L. DEAN
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7/26/2007 - BEMUS POINT — Even after a decade of programming, the Bemus Bay Pops is still seeing fireworks.
Discussing the annual entertainment series on Wednesday, Dan Dalpra, Bemus Bay Pops chairman, said the events are still as magical for him now as when the series first started in 1998.
A summertime tradition in Chautauqua County, the 2007 Bemus Bay Pops series began June 27 and will mark its 10-year anniversary this Saturday with an evening of music and special events.
''We're really excited about this,'' Dalpra said Wednesday. ''This is the big event for the year and it's open to the entire community to come out and enjoy.''
Entitled ''A Night Under the Chautauqua Sky,'' Saturday's event will feature the full Bemus Bay Pops Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Bruce Morton Wright. Additionally, the evening will feature a guest performance by six-year old trumpet prodigy Geoff Gallante and a fireworks finale.
''This young man is a remarkable little guy,'' Dalpra said. ''He's a little prodigy of Maynard Ferguson and seeing him perform is just an inspiration. He's just a delight. He and his family are from Virginia and they're coming in for the weekend to be a part of the festivities.
Since having started as a Labor Day performance of the orchestra on the roof of The Italian Fisherman restaurant in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops has moved to The Floating Stage in Bemus Bay. Similarly, attendance has grown over the years from 4,000 people at the first summer series to an estimated 10,000 people in 2006.
In 2003, the organization built the Floating Stage — which now serves as a venue for world-class musicians and other performers throughout the summer. Located on Bemus Bay, the Floating Stage allows for viewers to watch events from land or by boat.
''It started as such a simple thing on the roof and it's grown so rapidly that it has become a destination point for events and activities all summer long,'' Dalpra said. ''It's really exciting for me to have watched this thing grow from what it started as in 1998. The fact that we've had such wonderful people believe in it and fund it has helped now make it a part of the community.''
In addition to celebrating a decade of the Bemus Bay Pops, Saturday will also mark the 25th anniversary of The Italian Fisherman. Following the fireworks display, The Italian Fisherman will host a post-party with champagne, chocolates and music by The Volks.
Like the Pops series, Dalpra said The Italian Fisherman started as a small eatery and has expanded over the years into the restaurant it is today. A Bemus Point staple, The Italian Fisherman maintains a number of staff during the summer months and runs a first-class, family-oriented operation, according to Dalpra.
''I think culturally, it has been very inspirational to a lot of people,'' Dalpra said of Bemus Bay Pops. ''I think a lot of young people have really had their eyes opened by these events and also, it has invigorated investors and developers who now want to participate in the region. I think it has made a lot of other people want to reinvest back into the community, which is priceless. Once you have that kind of attitude going, a lot of opportunities open up and people help to take this farther down the road.''
As the organization is a not-for-profit group, Dalpra thanked the many patrons and sponsors who have continued to make the series possible throughout the years.
Saturday's event will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more on the Bemus Bay Pops or to view a complete listing of concerts, visit www.bemusbaypops.com.
Discussing the annual entertainment series on Wednesday, Dan Dalpra, Bemus Bay Pops chairman, said the events are still as magical for him now as when the series first started in 1998.
A summertime tradition in Chautauqua County, the 2007 Bemus Bay Pops series began June 27 and will mark its 10-year anniversary this Saturday with an evening of music and special events.
''We're really excited about this,'' Dalpra said Wednesday. ''This is the big event for the year and it's open to the entire community to come out and enjoy.''
Entitled ''A Night Under the Chautauqua Sky,'' Saturday's event will feature the full Bemus Bay Pops Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Bruce Morton Wright. Additionally, the evening will feature a guest performance by six-year old trumpet prodigy Geoff Gallante and a fireworks finale.
''This young man is a remarkable little guy,'' Dalpra said. ''He's a little prodigy of Maynard Ferguson and seeing him perform is just an inspiration. He's just a delight. He and his family are from Virginia and they're coming in for the weekend to be a part of the festivities.
Since having started as a Labor Day performance of the orchestra on the roof of The Italian Fisherman restaurant in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops has moved to The Floating Stage in Bemus Bay. Similarly, attendance has grown over the years from 4,000 people at the first summer series to an estimated 10,000 people in 2006.
In 2003, the organization built the Floating Stage — which now serves as a venue for world-class musicians and other performers throughout the summer. Located on Bemus Bay, the Floating Stage allows for viewers to watch events from land or by boat.
''It started as such a simple thing on the roof and it's grown so rapidly that it has become a destination point for events and activities all summer long,'' Dalpra said. ''It's really exciting for me to have watched this thing grow from what it started as in 1998. The fact that we've had such wonderful people believe in it and fund it has helped now make it a part of the community.''
In addition to celebrating a decade of the Bemus Bay Pops, Saturday will also mark the 25th anniversary of The Italian Fisherman. Following the fireworks display, The Italian Fisherman will host a post-party with champagne, chocolates and music by The Volks.
Like the Pops series, Dalpra said The Italian Fisherman started as a small eatery and has expanded over the years into the restaurant it is today. A Bemus Point staple, The Italian Fisherman maintains a number of staff during the summer months and runs a first-class, family-oriented operation, according to Dalpra.
''I think culturally, it has been very inspirational to a lot of people,'' Dalpra said of Bemus Bay Pops. ''I think a lot of young people have really had their eyes opened by these events and also, it has invigorated investors and developers who now want to participate in the region. I think it has made a lot of other people want to reinvest back into the community, which is priceless. Once you have that kind of attitude going, a lot of opportunities open up and people help to take this farther down the road.''
As the organization is a not-for-profit group, Dalpra thanked the many patrons and sponsors who have continued to make the series possible throughout the years.
Saturday's event will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more on the Bemus Bay Pops or to view a complete listing of concerts, visit www.bemusbaypops.com.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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