Ellicottville, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's expected to be a beautiful and busy weekend in the Southern Tier, as many Western New Yorkers are expected to flock to Cattaraugus County and take in the fun an excitement that Ellicottville's Fall Festival has to offer.
Barb Pump, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, feels Fall Fest is the annual kickoff to fall. However, this year's event feels a bit more special after the event was actually ranked the 12th-best Fall Festival in the country by Country Living.
"It definitely puts Ellicottville in a position that showcases what our village has to offer," said Pump in an interview with WBEN. "It allows people to see that we're not just a ski destination. Obviously skiing is most important, it's our No. 1, but it showcases the small businesses in the village, and promotes them. And it lets people know they're there so that people can come in and support local businesses."
While the fall colors are fully vibrant in Ellicottville this year, it is also set to be a prime fall weekend for weather for festivalgoers.
"Fingers are crossed that it's going to be sunny. We're hoping for mid-60s and sunny all weekend," Pump said with a chuckle.
Another reason why Pump is expecting a busier weekend in Ellicottville for Fall Fest is the fact the Bills are not playing until Monday night.
"It's funny, because we always look for when the Bills are playing this weekend. And when we saw they were playing on Monday, we definitely are assuming there will be more people this weekend," she said.
Pump says many who attend this event annually can expect much of the same environment as in years past.
"We have all of our vendors that showcase all of their products. There's all of our local shops that have ramped up with all of their new fall products, and winter products, because we are going to be heading into ski season," she noted. "All of our bars and restaurants are ready with all of their drink specials and food items, and everything that everybody usually enjoys in Ellicottville. [We have] our food court area, of course, the chair lift rides and events happening at Holiday Valley and at Holimont."
She adds there are a couple of additions to this year's festival.
"Hope Rises will be down in Ellicottville with us, raising money for Shine Gold. And then we also have the Ellicottville Playground, and they're a great organization. It's a group of moms that are looking to build an all-inclusive playground in Ellicottville. So we're really excited for them. We hope people go and see what kind of raffles they have," Pump said.
For those making their way to Ellicottville this weekend from the Northtowns, the New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect congestion on Route 219 in the Town of Ashford, especially near the ongoing construction area near the Miller Road and Peters Road intersection.
Drivers are also reminded the Route 219 Expressway remains closed Southbound between Route 39 in Springville and Peters Road in Ashford to facilitate construction of a new roundabout.
While Pump admits that construction and likely traffic issue is a concern, it is something her office has met multiple times on to ensure festivalgoers are safe as they make their way to Ellicottville.
"It is easy enough to still pass through where the roundabout will be placed. It's basically like how it was back in the day when it was just a straight drive. But we do have alternate options on our website," Pump noted. "People could take the 400 to 16 to 98, and then up 219 North, and then there's 240 off of Genesee Road. We do have those options available for them, just to try to lessen the congestion that that construction could potentially cause."
And then once people arrive in the village, Pump recommends people to proceed with caution.
"We do have the flag people down there that will be directing traffic. We're just hoping that everybody has the patience with them as well, because they always are down there the entire weekend, making sure that everybody is safe," she said.
"We just want everyone to come down, have a great time, enjoy the event. But also be safe, and be respectful of the community and the local residents, and everybody that's there in Ellicottville."
The event runs both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-to-5 p.m., while bars and restaurants in the village have live music going throughout the evening on both days.
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