Bowhunting World Championships To Be Held At Holiday Valley

ELLICOTTVILLE - Holiday Valley Mountain Resort will host the International Bowhunting Organization's (IBO) 2008 World Championships from Aug 20 to 23.   The event will attract more than 2,000 contestants and their families from over 20 countries to compete for the world championships and $200,000 in cash and prizes. IBO President Ken Watkins said the selection of Holiday Valley Mountain Resort in Ellicottville to host the 2008 IBO World Championship will bring the biggest title in archery and bowhunting back to New York.   ''New York and Pennsylvania are two of the five states with the largest bowhunting numbers,''Watkins said. ''We think having the tournament at Holiday Valley will allow more archers to attend the festival and give them a chance to participate with archers from around the world in the most prestigious competition in 3-D Archery.'' The 2007 World Championships were held in Anderson, Ind., after a seven-year stint at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia.   The IBO 2008 World Championships will attract more than 8,000 competitors, family, friends and avid bowhunters. The event is expected to create a $4 million economic impact for the region. Members of Holiday Valley Resort and the Chamber of Commerce have attended the last two world Championships with the hope of bringing them to Ellicottville. ''The beautiful hills and woods surrounding Holiday Valley will be the perfect setting for this prestigious event,'' said Dennis Eshbaugh, president and general manager of Holiday Valley. ''The resort and the Village of Ellicottville can provide the lodging, entertainment, food and beverage and all the extra touches that will make this year's competition one to remember.''   ''Having been to the last two World Championships, I am certain that this will be an outstanding location in every aspect'', stated Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. ''Ellicottville and its business owners have a unique way of embracing their guests, we make them feel that they are right at home here. This is an event for everyone; it's a chance for our visitors to see the best of the best in world class 3D archery competition.''   Holiday Valley will also host, the Holiday Valley Bowhunters Open, an event that lets non-qualified shooters compete on the same courses as the world qualifiers. The open will be a two-day event during the world championships. Contestants can download a registration at www.ellicottvilleny.com. The entrance fee is $40.   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com