Annual Torch Light Parade a Tradition at Holiday Valley

BY IAN BIGGS

   The early season snow has been a great help to area businesses, and Christmas week should prove to be a fun packed weekend for all.  Holiday Valley expects to have all 56 slopes in operation by Christmas weekend (weather permitting).  Its New Year’s Eve celebrations include the Annual Torch-Light Parade at 11:30pm.  According to Jane Eshbaugh from Holiday Valley, “Anyone wishing to participate in the parade should meet at the bottom of Cindy’s Run at around 10:30pm.”  Fireworks commence at 11:45pm continuing till midnight.  Live music from 9pm-1am in the Main Clubhouse.  Additionally, their Christmas Camp will run from December 27-31. This five-day camp runs daily and is for Masters, Jr. Team Race, Freestyle and Snowboarders interested in improving their skills.  Contact Holiday Valley at 699-2345 for more details and pricing. 

   HoliMont will be open to members and their guests from the 25th to the 31st of December, before and after which the general public is welcome Monday through Fridays.  They will be having a member’s New Year’s Eve Dinner, phone 699-2320 for more information. 

   Area restaurants are also gearing up for the New Year.  Some of the local favorites include The Barn Restaurant (699-4600), which will have New Year’s festivities continuing throughout the evening.  Their special New Year’s Eve menu includes Surf and Turf, and for those who want a taste of luxury while being a little more relaxed, The Barn is offering a Kobe Beef Burger.  Silver Fox will be open for New Year’s, no reservations required and they will be serving off their regular menu.  The Birdwalk (699-2749) will run a shortened New Year’s menu but with some fantastic items such as crab legs and prime rib, and crab stuffed sole to name just a few.  They are taking reservations for any size party and will be open from 4pm until closing.  Tips Up Café (699-2136) will also have special New Year’s items.  These are just a few of Ellicottville’s fine restaurants.

   The area bars are also planning on getting in on the New Year’s Eve action as well.  Some of the bars such as Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub will have bands.  Balloons will be open until 4am with Mo’ Porter playing from 5-9pm and a DJ thereafter.  Double Diamond has one of the best bands in the area with The Tripper Harrison Band.  Cadillac Jack’s (699-5161) famous apres-ski will be joining in the festivities and The Ellicottville Depot will be serving dinner on New Year’s till 8pm, and then will have a private party and will open to the public after midnight.  Madigan’s will be playing tunes and serving until 4am.  According to Maribeth Rick, owner, with her husband Ed, of the The Gin Mill, “The Gin Mill will head into the New Year with high octane rock-a-billy band The Headers from 9pm-1am.”  New Year’s will prove to be a good time for all!

   Ellicottville heads into 2009 with high hopes despite the economic downturn. “Ellicottville has had a good year,” according to Village of Ellicottville Mayor Charles Coolidge.  “This year’s Fall Fest was probably the busiest one yet,” according to the Mayor.  He went on to say that “Mardi Gras and Oldies weekend were also good weekends for the village and town.”  The Gazebo series was another success and we “motored along” through the downturn.  Mayor Coolidge says he is optimistic about the upcoming year, with various improvements in the works for the village and town.  “Possible new water tanks in the village and work on the sewer system” are some of the plans for 2009.  Area businesses haven’t seen much in the way of a drop in business. Regarding the recession, “It started a year ago and no one told us” said Maribeth of The Gin Mill.  She added that she was “worried with the gas prices,” but the Gin Mill ended up having a “successful year.” 

   Avis King of Earth Arts also said that “2008 had been good” and was happy and optimistic about 2009.  Ellicottville has weathered the storm and looks forward to the storms, albeit snow filled, of 2009.

   Pictured: Participants of last year’s annual torchlight parade at Holiday Valley.