The Annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and the Gerry Rodeo are just two of the many things happening in Chautauqua County this weekend!

Whether you’re seeking Lucille Ball Hometown Tours, Lucy-Desi Trivia, a block party featuring live music, late night comedy, or anything in between, the National Comedy Center’s Annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown is the place to be this weekend. There are dozens of events on tap closing out with a free screening of classic I Love Lucy episodes on the big outdoor screens at the National Comedy Center Sunday afternoon. Find all the information at comedycenter.org.

The 79th Annual Gerry Rodeo closes its four-day run with a final show at 8pm Saturday, August 3.

Just down the road a bit, the Ellington Bicentennial and 111th Town Picnic is in full swing with lots of live music, contests, a petty zoo, a parade, and fireworks Saturday night.

The Heron Farm & Event Center in Sherman is hosting the Great Rhythm Revival through August 5 featuring expressive art, African drumming, yoga, writing, and more.

Nearby, it’s Sherman Day, with a parade, vendors, a chicken barbecue, family events and live music.

Bemus Point Lake Days runs through Sunday with a treasure hunt at participating locations, open house at the Lawson Center, and Wingfest at the Village Casino.

At the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk, it’s America’s Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival featuring vendors, a classic car show, music, and more.

Plus, there’s still plenty of amazing programming for the season at Chautauqua Institution and Lily Dale Assembly, numerous local live music performances at parks and venues countywide, hiking trails galore, golf, fishing, boating, beaches, and more festivals and fun to come this summer. For a regular schedule of things to see and do countywide check the events calendar at tourchautauqua.com.

Chamber Award Nominations Open Through August 8

The CHQ Chamber has reconfigured our annual awards process, continuing our efforts to champion local businesses. Anyone may nominate a business or organization in any category.

The Chamber will recognize businesses for milestone service years through a Legacy Recognition celebration. Multiple businesses may be recognized in this category.

Seven awards will be presented to businesses or organizations. The Emerging Business of the Year will go to a newer or growing business that has demonstrated vision and/or has filled a need in Chautauqua County.

There will be four business sector awards, honoring one organization from each sector for outstanding service, production, growth, or community involvement. Those awards will be

Hospitality Business of the Year (restaurants, attractions, lodging); Service Business of the Year (retail or service such as financial, insurance, legal); Producer of the Year (manufacturing, agriculture, construction); and Not-for-Profit of the Year (nonprofit organization.)

The Business Champion Award will be presented to an organization that has contributed most to the economic development, quality of life and stability of Chautauqua County.

The Business of the Year Award will go to a business that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in employee growth, product development, or exemplary service. Nominations are open now on our website at www.chqchamber.org/award-nominations. Anyone may nominate a business or organization for these awards. Preference will be given to nominees that are members of the CHQ Chamber. If you’re unsure, please check our online Business Directory for a searchable list of members.

The deadline for all nominations is August 8. All nominations will be reviewed by a “supercommittee” of CHQ Chamber volunteers from across the county, and final selections will be approved by the CHQ Chamber Board of Directors. Award recipients will be notified by the end of August. Awards will be presented at the CHQ Chamber Award Banquet, which will be held October 10 in the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia.

Chamber Golf Tournament is August 15

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to return to Peek’n Peak Resort for a fabulous day of golf and camaraderie. Networking doesn’t get much better than on the golf course, and the pro-level course at Peek’n Peak is a golfer’s dream! Limited space remains, so get your foursome together now and register through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Your registration includes greens fees, cart, tee gift sponsored by the Basil Dealerships, lunch, and dinner. We begin the day with a shotgun at 11am.

New this year, we have a Tee Gift Sponsor! Many thanks to Basil Chevrolet for this generous sponsorship. Our Par Sponsors for the tournament are: A Automotive, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Cattaraugus County Bank, Charlie’s Auto Center, Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company, Community Bank, DFT Communications, Falconer Power Sports, Jamestown Container Company, Jamestown Mattress, Jamestown Plastics, Koester Associates, Lake Shore Savings Bank, National Grid, Nestle Purina, Northlake Development, Peek’n Peak, R & R Property Services & Landscaping, Shults Auto Group, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and Westfield Nursery.