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The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer in Chautauqua County, and a great time to take a look at what lies ahead for the season. As we spend a moment this weekend reflecting on those who have served our Country to protect our freedoms, and as we enjoy the first barbecues of summer, this is a reminder to put some key items on your calendar now. The Lincoln Festival has been revived in Westfield and will be held June 7-9 this year. The weekend will kick off with the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce First Friday – a street fair along Main Street that features live music and numerous vendors, games, and more. The festival continues through the weekend with historic reenactments, carriage rides, entertainment, and much more. The LECOM Health Challenge will be held again this year on the fabulous Upper Course at Peek’n Peak in Findley Lake. This Web.com sanctioned event is a prelude to the PGA tour ticket for many golfers, and is an amazing opportunity for local golf enthusiasts to see some high level play on a beautiful and challenging golf course. This year’s LECOM Health Challenge is July 4-7. The Wild America Nature Festival is Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28 at Panama Rocks in Panama. This event is coordinated annually by Panama Rocks and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and features nature-inspired art and crafts, wild animal demonstrations, locally grown foods, and lots more for the whole family. The annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is set for August 7-11 in downtown Jamestown with more than 50 events and 30 artists. This huge festival attracts thousands of visitors to the community including some of the largest names in comedy today. In Dunkirk the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Offshore Grand Prix will be held August 16-18. Professional powerboat racers compete in this world class event that is open to spectators along the beautiful Dunkirk harbor and beachfront viewing areas. The Chautauqua Gran Fondo will be held Saturday, August 24. Starting in Mayville, this cycling event features a 20 mile social ride, a 40 mile fitness ride, or a 60 mile challenge ride. Designed for bicyclers at a variety of skill levels, the Gran Fondo features rest stops at notable historic destinations around Chautauqua Lake. The 2019 season at Chautauqua Institution runs June 22-August 25 with a tremendous variety of cultural, educational, and religious programming throughout the summer. The Lily Dale summer season also offers a variety of programming from June 21-August 24. There is much more, but these highlights demonstrate the wealth of opportunities available to local residents in Chautauqua County each year. These events are open to residents as well as summer visitors, as are our beautiful natural resources including waterways, hiking trails, picnic areas, and other local attractions. We hope you will attend some or all this summer.