Chamber Announces Many Exciting Changes for 2009 Schedule

   OLEAN - The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing that their events schedule has a new event, has three event date changes, and has dropped an event for 2009.  The NEW EVENT is the Enchanted Mountains Outdoor and Rec Sports Show, co-sponsored by the City of Olean and will be held September 12, 13, 2009.  The show will highlight exhibitors related to outdoor and environmental education, sport, leisure and recreation and will provide seminars, demos and activities.  “The great outdoors is big business in New York State. A total of 4.6 million New York residents and non-residents (16 years and older) spent $3.5 billion on wildlife recreation activities (fishing, hunting or wildlife watching) in the state in 2006, according to a recent report,” stated John Sayegh, GOACC Chief Operating Officer.  “This Sports Show is anticipated to draw thousands of outdoor sports enthusiasts.  GOACC encourages people of all ages to attend this existing event.  We promise there will be something for everyone to enjoy at this family-friendly and family-oriented program,” Mr. Sayegh added.

   The three DATE CHANGES include the Antique Appraisal Fair & Marketplace moved from August to March 27, 28, 2009; Taste of Olean/Art in the Park moved from September to July 26, 2009; and Rally in the Valley moved forward another week and will be held August 21-23.  The Antique Appraisal was moved to a slow time of year - anticipating that we may get more participation.  The Taste of Olean has historically been held in the summer.  In 2003, the event was changed to combine with the opening of the Olean Campus of JCC.  After many successful Tastes in September, the event will move back to the summer months.  GOACC is anticipating gaining increased attendance of summer visitors as well as those vendors that do not participate in September due to opening day of the National Football League.

   Shake & Rattle together...Roll a Week Later -- The Olean City School District Foundation and the Olean High School Sports Boosters have set August 14-16, 2009 as the dates for the Second Annual Gus Macker Basketball Tournament and Community Festival.  The Olean Bradford YMCA’s CornFest and Wellness Rally will be Sunday, August 16, 2009.  The Rally in the Valley will be moving its dates from the third weekend in August to the fourth -- August 21-23, 2009.  The Rally co-chairs, Dennis Jones, Randy Langdon, Dan Jordan, and Larry Penman stated, “Changing the Rally date will allow each event to obtain more volunteers, will not have events overlap for sponsors to have to choose, and allow people to participate at all the events.”  GOACC agrees with the co-chairs and adds that having these major events separated will allow two weekends in a row of thousands of people coming in to town.

   The New Olean’s Mardi Gras has been dropped from the events calendar and will not be held in 2009.  GOACC decided since other festive events are held by other non-profit organizations in the first quarter that it would not host the Mardi Gras.  The committee has not decided to host/pursue another dance/dinner event at a different time of the year.

   The remaining events on the Chamber schedule include the following.  Spring is sprung at the Greater Olean Home and Garden Show April 17-19.  The Home Show will be held at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean.  The Good News Awards Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 14.  The dinner recognizes people who have gone above and beyond to make the Olean community a better place to live and work.  The people are nominated by the community.

   Back again by popular demand is the Community-Wide Garage Sale.  The date has been set for May 16.  Start cleaning your basements and attics!  Wednesday, June 10th marks the Chamber’s annual kickoff to the summer season with the Chamber Clambake - always a good time with great food, games, music, and prizes! 

   “Specific details, vendor applications, participant registration forms will be found on GOACC’s website, www.oleanny.com, as the events develop.  We encourage everyone to mark these dates on the calendar - we promise a fun-filled year of events!”  states Mr. Sayegh.

   For more information, please contact Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce by mail 120 North Union Street, downtown Olean, by phone (716) 372-4433 or by email tourism@oleanny.com.