OBSERVER Staff Report

For more than 20 years, hundreds motorcycles have ascended into Gowanda in late May/early June for an annual celebration involving music, games and more. This year, however, the event, which at one time was called “Hollywood Happening” and was later rebranded “The Happening” has been canceled.

The official announcement came from the Chamber of Commerce in a letter to the community. The chamber states they plan to hold The Happening next year. Their full letter is below:

It is with heavy hearts, we must announce for the first time in 22 years, The Happening weekend in Gowanda will not be celebrated as planned. With so much uncertainty about the COVID-19 outbreak so many of us have ever experienced, the committee and the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce have arrived at this decision. The committee asks that you join us in thanking The Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce for their support and belief in this event by visiting Gowanda Area businesses and events in the future.

This long-standing weekend would not exist without Gowanda Harley-Davidson and they have an agreement to bring ChrashTina Christina Billings back at another date in the future, Thank you GHD! If all things work out for next year the committee hopes to be able to have the same band lineup for 2021 as planned for 2020. All proceeds toward the raffle to win either a New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle or New CForce 800 are in the process of being returned to the ticket buyers via check after confirmation of their mailing address. All sponsors have been contacted and appropriate funds have been issued. When the air clears, we hope to see you all out enjoying live music at motorcycle events around WNY, maybe even for a special event here in Gowanda. Stay safe, stay healthy and always, remember to support those that support your community. “Thank a vet”, and if possible, maybe send some of your Happening beer money to WNY HEROES INC at http://www.wnyheroes.org. Thank you all.

A special thanks to all the 2020 sponsors and everyone who has worked on this event for years.

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The Happening Committee

Alan Jones, Bob & Christina Soska, JC Hotnich, Delaney Peters, Wanda Koch, Nick Crassi, Karen Clabeaux, Deb Brown, Bill Peglowski, Deb & Bill Grainge, Tara Schwerk

Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors

Nicholas Crassi, Jr., President, Irene Jimerson, Vice President, Mary Stelley, Secretary/Treasurer, Gary Patterson, Robert Dingman, Wanda Koch, Carol Sheibley, Shannon Smuda, Melinda Spire