This weekend kicks off a New Year and with it brings all of Ellicottville’s action-packed annual events and festivals, so mark your calendars. It all begins with New Years Eve celebrations at Holiday Valley’s Annual Torchlight Parade. The fun starts inside the Clubhouse Chalet with DJ John Barry, kids style snackbar, kiddie cocktails, mocktails and drink specials for the over 21 crowd at 9pm then continues outside where intermediate and advanced skiers will meet at the bottom of Cindy’s run at 11pm to begin the torchlight parade at 11:30 followed by fireworks at 11:45 and grand finale at midnight. The week continues in celebration with Canadian Friendship Week 2012 as we give a tip of the hat to our friends north of the border. During the week many of the establishments around town will accept Canadian money at par. In addition, specials will be offered throughout the Village and slopes. The Ellicottville Brewing Company for example will elaborate the holiday by offering special Canadian Condiments, supplying their customers with the special “HP” steak sauce and sweet Canadian Ketchup. January 8, is the 14th Annual HoliMont SkiScape for Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign. It is a day full of fun, skiing, food and prizes all for the good cause of raising money and awareness for the organization. Plus, you can witness the Lake Effect Firefighter races where firefighters race down the slopes of HoliMont in full fire gear! The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce follows up Canadian Friendship Week with its Winter Rhythm and Blues Festival January 6-7 where bands from around the region will take the stage during this two-day event. The event will feature Doug Yeomans, Maria Aurigema, and more. Of course, it wouldn’t be a new year in Ellicottville without plans for our area skiers and boarders. First in line is the ever-popular Penguin Paddle event Saturday, February 25 at the base of Holiday Valley’s Yodeler slope. At this fundraiser for the Lounsbury Adaptive Program, you can enjoy a cookout and auction before you drape yourself in a black garbage bag and slide down the hill on your belly – penguin style! March strolls through with an upbeat as the Winter Carnival/Mari Gras Parade hits town March 10-11. This is your opportunity to dress your costume best and parade the streets of the Village on Saturday and the slopes of the Valley on Sunday. Rounding out the month and ringing in the spring is Holiday Valley’s Pond Skimming event Saturday, March 24 where participants drag out their zaniest outfits to bare the elements and dare to make it down the slope and over the pond on their skis or snowboard. With the new season, comes all sorts of new reasons to celebrate the outdoors right here in Ellicottville: June 29-July 1 Summer Music Festival; July 27-29 Jazz & Blues Weekend; August 11-12 Taste of Ellicottville; September 14-16 Rock N’ Roll Weekend; October 6-7 Fall Festival; November 10 Beer & Wine Festival; November 23-25 Christmas in Ellicottville; December 1 Christmas Stroll. These events highlight a packed schedule of fun and entertainment for all ages in the upcoming year in Ellicottville. For more information, visit the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce website at www.ellicottvilleny.com.