Independence Day celebrations abound in Chautauqua County! Whether you love a parade, spend the day on the water or enjoy one of many fireworks displays, there is no better place to spend the 4th of July than right here in Chautauqua County.

The morning kicks off with the Firecracker 10K Run and 2 Mile Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at Richard O. Hartley Park in Lakewood, followed by Summerfest featuring street vendors, free sailboat rides from noon to 3 p.m. provided by the Chautauqua Lake Community Sailing Foundation, live music from 6-10 p.m. and culminating with lakeside fireworks at 10 p.m.

The Mayville 4th of July parade steps off at 10 a.m., followed by a day of live music, food vendors and more at Lakeside Park until 10 p.m. Chautauqua Lake Pops will feature an Elton John tribute on the Floating Stage docked near the Railroad Depot from 8-10 p.m, with fireworks at 10 p.m.

In Findley Lake, there’s a boat parade and duck race at 2 p.m., with live music in the gazebo from 7-10 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Additional fireworks shows on July 4th are at dusk at the Dunkirk City Pier and Memorial Park and at 10 p.m. at Bemus Point. Fireworks in Silver Creek are at dusk on Wednesday, July 3 at Borrello Park; on Friday, July 5 at Peek’n Peak in Clymer; and at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at Midway State Park in Maple Springs.

The annual flare lighting around Chautauqua Lake is at 10 p.m., with flare lightings around the Cassadaga Lakes and Findley Lake at 9:30 p.m.

Pro golf on tap and its free for spectators

Spend a day or more watching some great golf! The LECOM Health Challenge is coming up at Peek’n Peak Resort. The exceptional event is part of the path to the PGA Tour, where golfers compete to win a PGA Tour card. General admission is free this year for all spectators this year thanks to a number of sponsors including Innogy Renewable US, Kessel Construction, VisitErie and Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and Phillips Lytle LLP. So it costs you nothing to attend. The tournament is open to the public with play set to begin at 7:30 a.m. each day, Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6. The final round of competition on Saturday includes recognition of U.S. military veterans on the 18th Green and concludes with a trophy presentation ceremony. Times are approximate and subject to changes due to weather.

The LECOM Health Challenge benefits a number of charities, providing scholarships to the scholarship funds for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Jamestown Community College, as well as Mikey’s Way Foundation. For more information visit www.lecomhealthchallenge.com. You can follow the LECOM Health Challenge on Facebook Twitter and Instagram as well.

Chamber membership drive prize winners

All of the businesses and organizations that joined the Chamber during our annual spring membership drive were eligible for a prize drawing featuring prizes donated by local businesses. Webb’s Captain’s Table donated two $25 gift certificates which were won by Value Hearing Services in Westfield and Valvo’s Candies in Silver Creek. Beichner Waste Services in Sinclairville won a one night stay at Chautauqua Suites. A second year free Chamber membership with a value of $180 was won by Herbs R 4 U/Sunshine Health & Wellness in Jamestown, and the top prize of a Stay & Golf Getaway Package at Peek’n Peak was won by Support Enterprises, Inc. in Jamestown. Sincere thanks to all of our businesses that donated prizes for this special event and to all those who joined the Chamber during the drive.

Take advantage of the early bird special for Chamber Golf Tournament

Register now and take advantage of early bird pricing for the 2019 Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament. It will be held Thursday, August 22 at Peek’n Peak Resort in Clymer, with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. You can play where the pros play! The beautiful upper course at Peek’n Peak is home to the LECOM Health Challenge Web.com PGA event coming up July 1-7, and you can join fellow Chamber members to enjoy this beautiful and challenging course during the Chamber tournament.

The 2019 Chamber Golf Tournament is sponsored by Allied Alarm Services, Bush Industries, Community Bank, DFT Communication, Insurance Management Company, Lake Shore Savings Bank, Lawley Insurance, Jamestown Mattress Company, Koester Associates, National Fuel Gas, National Grid, Nestle Purina PetCare, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Shults Auto Group. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tom Baressi Scholarship Fund through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

Sign up by July 12 to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration price and save $20 per player! For more information or to register, call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101 or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org.

Experience Chautauqua Business After Hours at the Fairgrounds is July 11

The Dunkirk Community and Chautauqua County Chambers of Commerce proudly host this popular annual event: Experience Chautauqua Business After Hours at the Fairgrounds, from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11. Come and learn what’s new at the Chautauqua County Fair. Enjoy wine slushies, beer and fair food from the midway vendors. There will be entertainment and door prizes too! This event is sponsored by DFT Communications, KeyBank, Lawley Insurance, Nestle Purina PetCare, Northwest Arena, OBSERVER, Putnam Record Insurance Agency, Media One Radio Group and The Post-Journal. Register online now at www.chautauquachamber.org or call (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101.

Silver Creek Yard Sales August 3

The Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce invites one and all to the 26th Annual Silver Creek Yard Sales on Saturday, August 3. Sales will be held rain or shine. The cost to participate is $10 per sale. Participants can register at Silver Creek Optical, 41 Main Street, or online through the Chamber calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

All sales registered by 5 p.m., Monday, July 29 will be listed on a map that will be sold for $1 at the Village Park in Silver Creek the morning of the sale.