The momentum of Chautauqua County's first Chautauqua-in-June Learning Festival peaks just before the start of Chautauqua Institution's season on June 25. Saturday, June 18, is one of the festival's busiest days highlighted by two separate brew schools. While registration is closed for the Be a Brewer for a Day at Southern Tier Brewing Company, Ellicottville Brewing Company offers an alternative afternoon class with lunch at a traditional European brew house. Creative workshops include Portrait Painting with Susan Forrester-Mackay at the Brookside Manor B&B in Fredonia and Plein Air Painting and Photography in conjunction with the "Walking Garden Earth" art exhibit at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. Saturday Zumba on the Beach and "Cocktails" Bartending Classes continue at Sunset Bay in Irving. In the evening, a choice of winemaker's dinners, one at Quincy Cellars in Ripley and one at Cabana Sam's Sunset Bay Grill in Irving, round out a full day.
During the last week of classes, participants might Tour an Organic Garden or attend a free Musky fishing seminar. Food prevails this week with a mouthwatering barbecue at the College Lodge in Fredonia on Wednesday which includes preparing and enjoying fresh mozzarella and tomato salad, sirloin steak and jumbo shrimp, asparagus and red peppers, multi-colored potatoes, peaches, nectarine and pineapple all on the grill. On June 25, Southern Tier Brewing Company will offer a beer and cheese pairing event in the afternoon followed by a "Hopsun Fest" beer stations dinner prepared by chefs at Webb's Captain's Table in Mayville. Liberty Vineyards and Winery will team up with 3 C's Catering for the last in a series of winemaker's dinners on Saturday evening as well.
Ongoing events during the Chautauqua-in-June festival include a Tuesday Lake Erie Sunset Tour, and Wednesday evening and Thursday morning paddles on Chautauqua Lake with Evergreen Outfitters. As a unique option for children age 6 to 12, Portage Hill Gallery will offer a Clay for Kids class on June 25 with finish glazing on July 23.
For a full schedule and more information on future vacation learning events, contact the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau at 1-866-908-4569 or visit the website at www.tourchautauqua.com.
