Cassadaga Labor Day Festival Kicks Off Saturday

Aug 29, 2023

Party McFly will perform 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Cassadaga Beach.

CASSADAGA — Labor Day Weekend will once again be celebrated in the village.

The annual Cassadaga Labor Day Festival runs Saturday to Monday.

On Saturday, “CassadagaMan” which includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run begins at 8 a.m. at Cassadaga Beach. People from all over the country come for this race which is full of a beautiful landscape. To register or volunteer visit www.coachmarkwilson.com.

On Sunday, is the Farmers Market which runs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Stop by for some farm fresh fruits and vegetables. WNY’s growing season is short but has the best tasting produce!

Also on Sunday, the American Legion Post 1280 Auxiliary is having a chicken barbecue from noon until the chicken is gone. This is take out only.

Cassadaga’s Ducky Derby will take place Monday at noon.

At 4:30 p.m. the public can partake in the boat parade. Meet near the DEC launch at 4:15 in anything that floats – boat, kayak, canoe, etc. The theme is pirates and there will be prizes. The boat parade will go through the middle lake to the lower lake and end up at the floating stage at Cassadaga Beach in time for a free concert featuring Party McFly from 5 to 7 p.m.

Party McFly is Chautauqua County’s newest band. Drawing from a mixture of decades, they have crafted a collection of music sure to get any crowd dancing. The band features Michaela Phillips on lead vocals, Mike Donato on guitar, Randy VanWey on drums and Cassadaga’s own Jay Carr on bass and Kevin Way on keyboards. The boat parade and concert is sponsored by Cassadaga Lakes Association.

Also at the concert will be local artist Taleana Hehir who provides the area with public sip and paint classes, private paint parties and does commission work. Author Mary Ellen Humphrey from Westfield will be on board with her published poetry, historical fiction and one book about hiking. Super Duper Catering will offer delicious food and drink or bring your own coolers if you prefer.

Come by land or sea to Cassadaga Beach and enjoy all this. The kids can have fun on the playground and lifeguards will be on duty for swimming. Parking is limited at the beach. Please park at the nearby church, library or fire hall if you are able and willing. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Cassadaga Fire Hall or American Legion Post 1280.

On Monday, Sept. 4, there will be a craft/vendor show in Ames Common from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bubba’s Food Wagon will be there as well as a bounce house.

At 11 a.m., the Grand Parade will march down Maple Avenue. There will be marching units, music, fire trucks and much more! At noon, the annual Ducky Derby will take place at the Maple Ave. bridge. Buy a ticket for your duck on line www.cassadagalakesassociation.com. Cheer your duck on and you might win first place — $200 cash!

Also on Monday is the Bicycle/Walk Dice Run. Ride, run or walk around the lake and roll dice at five stations. Run/walkers register at the beach at 1:30 p.m., bicyclists register at 2 p.m. Entry fees are $2 for kids and $5 for adults. There are lots of prizes and will be loads of fun.

The Cassadaga Labor Day Festival is coordinated by the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga. Sponsors are Village of Cassadaga, Wilson Endurance Sports, American Legion Post 1280 Auxiliary, and the Cassadaga Lakes Association.

For more information, call 716-665-8855.

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