Chautauqua County Light the Lakes Spectacle on Sunday

Light the Lakes spectacle on Sunday By SHIRLEY WEST POSTED: August 29, 2008 Chautauqua County will be visible from space on Sunday during the Light the Lakes fireworks display going off simultaneously in six locations. "This is the first year Light the Lakes will amaze spectators and will deliver an explosive spectacular like no other," said Dan Dalpra, founder of Light the Lakes & the Bemus Bay Pops. "It is a ground breaking historical event where we light the Chautauqua Sky in one of the largest fireworks displays in North America that can be seen from space! All of Chautauqua County is invited to participate as this event draws spectators regionally as well as locally to our area." Light the Lakes will include a collaboration of different events throughout Labor Day weekend leading up to the spectacular lighting of the Chautauqua Sky at 10:10 p.m. At each "take-off" location the fireworks will run simultaneously to a live music broadcast via radio feed. As well as radio feed, there will also be a live television feed broadcasted from an airplane above as the fireworks display takes place. "This will be a gathering of families and friends enjoying simple, no cost, old fashioned pleasures like music on the waterfront, farmer's markets, antique stores, swimming, boating, fishing and a seven-location fireworks finale," Dalpra said. "It's what Chautauqua County is all about." The show is specially programmed to run simultaneously to live music. Spectators will be treated to a broad range of music from patriotic American songs, pop, country, rock 'n roll and so much more. Bemus Point, Findley Lake, Jamestown, Lakewood/Mayville/Chaut-auqua, Midway State Park, and Westfield/Barcelona will host not only fireworks but events all weekend including the Lake Harvest Festival in Findley, Bemus Bay Pops, Cassadaga Valley Labor Day Weekend Festival and more. "Westfield is excited to participate in this event," said Town Supervisor Martha Bills. "This weekend we will have the Farmer's Market in Moore Park, the CrossRoads yard sale, a Mardi Gras celebration at Zebro's, a corn roast at Barcelona Market Caf and Ottaway Park will be open Sunday night for family picnicking and fireworks viewing." The event was planned as a major tourist attraction for the area. "During Light the Lakes, the goal is to attract 250,000 tourists to our area during the festival," said County Executive Greg Edwards. "Most tourists leave the area before Sunday night. By keeping them in the area for an extra day we can add significant revenue for the county." The economic impact of this event is estimated to generate $4.8 million to the region, according to event planners. "Light the Lakes was created as an event that the entire county could collectively promote as one major destination," Dalpra said. "Marketing this area as one with all its unique layers of diversity from each community makes Chautauqua County a more competitive destination and appealing to attract mass visitors to our region." Light the Lakes is sponsored by New York State Senator Catharine M. Young, Media One Group, SE93 & WJTN, Jamestown Post-Journal, WGRZ TV, Bemus Bay Pops, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Chautauqua County Visitor's Bureau, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, and Chautauqua Lake Association. For more information visit the Light the Lakes Web site at http://www.ilovenylakes.com/ Comments on this story may be sent to swest@observertoday.com For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/