JAMESTOWN – Local residents are being invited to participate in Doors Open Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The annual event invitees area residents to visit over a dozen different places right here in our own backyard. Designed to invite area residents to visit and learn about the local museums, galleries, and assets we have right here in our community, Doors Open Jamestown features something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, comedy, nature, or art.

Most attractions will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission.  Hours may vary at some locations.  In addition, dozens of local restaurants and retail shops will be open for your shopping and dining pleasure on that day.

The list of participating attractions so far includes:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Children’s Activity Corner
• DAR House, Fenton History Center
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Martz-Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Doors Open Jamestown is organized by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close, with support from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce.  More info at JamestownUpClose.com.

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JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

This year’s Doors Open Jamestown event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at locations across the city.

Doors Open Jamestown features free admission to greater Jamestown area attractions, raffle prizes at each location, restaurant specials and more. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Up Close, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce with support from participating attractions and merchants.

This year’s participants include:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Dykeman Young Gallery and Vintage Emporium
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucile M. Wright Air Museum
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theater
• Martz Observatory
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.

For more information on Doors Open Jamestown or for a list of participating venues, restaurants and stores, visit DoorsOpenJamestown.com or check out the event’s Facebook page.

The annual Downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade attracts thousands of people each year. (Photo courtesy of jrconline.org)

JAMESTOWN – The annual downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade is set to take place tonight on Third Street.

Jamestown Up Close and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is inviting the entire community to the “Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration,” presented by The Resource Center.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature more than 90 units participating, along with a tree-lighting ceremony, live music, and a dazzling holiday fireworks display sponsored by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

The grand marshal for this year’s parade is Jamestown Police Department’s K-9 Officer Mitchell and his handler, officer Eric Kraft.

If you are unable to make it downtown, Time Warner Cable will be filming LIVE on the news station and re-airing the program later in the evening.

The parade will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes in addition to the pre-parade entertainment at Tracy Plaza.

This holiday parade is sponsored by Jamestown Renaissance Corproation, Jamestown Up Close, City of Jamestown, The Resource Center, Shults Auto Group, and Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.

Parade lineup will start promptly at 5 pm. The following streets and intersecting side streets will be for the event to operate from 3 pm to 9 pm:

• Third Street between Hallock Street and Foote Avenue
• Porter Avenue between Third Street and Front Street
• Spring Street between Second Street and Third Street
• Front Street between Hall Avenue and Sprague Street

All parade entrants must enter the lineup at the intersection of Third Street at Hallock Street. No entries may enter traveling west. All participants with motor vehicles or trucks should have their driver remain with the vehicle at all times.

For more information on the Parade, visit jamestownrenaissance.org or call 664-2477 ext 226.

JAMESTOWN – The area is finally getting some much needed rain and that trend is expected to continue on into this weekend. While many people – especially farmers and local growers – are thankful for the precipitation, the wet weather is also resulting in some events being cancelled or postponed.

Last night the Village of Lakewood postponed its concert in the park series. On Wednesday night the city of Jamestown was forced to cancel its final concert of the season at the Allen Park Bandshell. And on Thursday night Infinity Visual and Performing Arts announced it had made the decision to postpone its first ever Top of the Tier fundraiser at Southern Tier Brewing Co., originally scheduled for Sunday, due to strong likelihood of rain over the weekend.

While the rainy weather has lead to some events being cancelled, it’s not expected to result in the cancellation of Jamestown Up Close’s and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s 2016 Motor Mayhem event.

A scene from the 2015 Motor Mayhem (image by Jon Elder)

The event will feature a car and motorcycle cruise in and is intended to showcase classic cars, modern classics, trucks, Jeeps, and motorcycles while highlighting a variety of local businesses, restaurants, and live music. Organizers have already said that the music other activities will take place rain or shine, although it remains to be seen how many classic cars will come downtown with the forecast calling for a 60 percent chance of of rain after 3 p.m.

The event itself is scheduled to run between 5 and 11 p.m. along Third Street, Fourth Street, and intersecting side streets in downtown Jamestown. The event is free and open to the public.

To stay up do date on the latest new involving the 2016 Motor Mayhem event, go the Jamestown Up Close Facebook page.

Originally airing Thursday, July 21, 2016.

WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talked with Edwin Rodriguez from Jamestown Up Close and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation to get a better understanding of Pokemon, Pokemon Go, and it’s impact on downtown Jamestown since being launched earlier this month.

A Pokemon character in downtown Jamestown in front of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

The vendor list and workshop schedule is now available for GROW Jamestown, presented by Mike’s Nursery. With more than 50 vendors and 15 workshops lined up by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, the free community event offers fun for all ages.

“We have come a long way from our humble beginnings at the Renaissance Center in previous years,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., events and marketing associate for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “We used to have 15-17 vendors. This is our fifth year and we have 54 total vendors. Our event is the only true garden and home show in the greater Jamestown area. No other event features home and garden education and hands-on activities the way we do.”

Vendors scheduled to attend include nurseries, contractors, landscape designers, craft vendors, food vendors, neighborhood clusters, and more.

Another key feature of the GROW Jamestown Garden Fair and Home Show is the educational workshops hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program of Chautauqua County and countless other area professionals. The knowledge and experience of the presenters helps make the event special. This year’s workshops, 15 in total, focus on gardening and home improvement. Workshop topics for 2016 are as follows:

• Front Yard Design
• Energy Conservation In Your Home
• Raised Garden Bed Construction And Care
• Tree Selection And Planting
• Help With Your “Honey Do” List – Q&A With A Contractor
• Seed Starting and Vegetable Gardening
• “Deer In My Dahlias, Voles In My Turnips” – Prevent Wildlife Damage In Your Garden
• Home Improvement Through Weatherization – More Than Just Windows
• Ask-A-Master Gardener Panel Discussion
• Native Plants – Why Pre-Columbus Plants Are Good For Your Garden
• Saving The Harvest – Canning and Freezing Basics
• Gardening For Every Body – Tools And Techniques For All Abilities
• Rain Garden Design, Installation, And Maintenance
• Lead Safe Renovations In The Home
• Developing A Landscape And Planting Plan

“We have definitely taken our workshop topics to a new level from previous years,” said Mary Maxwell, neighborhood associate for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “We had a lot of requests over the years. People wanted more information that pertained to the area in which we live. The Master Gardeners, event volunteers, and all of our other professionals involved have worked hard to make sure this year’s workshops are educational and fun.”

The GROW Jamestown Garden Fair and Home Show is presented by Mike’s Nursery. Owner Mike Krauth and his staff will be giving away free tomato seedlings to every show attendee while supplies last. Also, the first 1,000 people to the event will receive a free reusable grocery tote courtesy of Wegmans in Jamestown. The event is also graciously sponsored by Lakeshore Paving, Clark Patterson Lee Design Professionals, RSVP, Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, The Resource Center, Rhoe B. Henderson Insurance Agency, Five Star Urgent Care, and Afloral.com.

For a complete list of vendors and a complete workshop schedule with times, visit the GROW Jamestown Garden Fair and Home Show online at www.growjamestown.com or check out the event’s Facebook page.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is a public-private partnership supporting downtown and neighborhood revitalization through stakeholder engagement, innovation, and reinvestment in the greater Jamestown, New York, area.

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The 2016 Doors Open Jamestown event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at varying locations across the city.

Doors Open Jamestown features free admission to greater Jamestown area attractions, raffle prizes at each location, restaurant specials, and more. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Up Close, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce with support from the participating attractions and merchants.

“Not everyone knows that the exhibits and features of our local attractions change quite regularly,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., events and marketing associate for Jamestown Up Close. “This event is for our area residents to get out and about with their friends and family to learn about some of the great features we have to offer here,” said Rodriguez.

Sixteen local attractions and nearly two dozen restaurants and retail stores partner together for this annual event to celebrate the region.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute on Curtis St. in Jamestown is one of several organizations offering free admission on Sat., Jan. 16 as part of Doors Open Jamestown.

By visiting one or more of the participating attractions, guests have the opportunity to win gift baskets at each location. Those locations include:

• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Dykeman Young Gallery and Vintage Emporium
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts (Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• James Prendergast Library
• Audubon Nature Center
• Jamestown Gateway Train Station
• Jamestown Savings Bank Arena
• Lucile M. Wright Air Museum
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theater
• Martz Observatory (Frewsburg)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

The former Fenton Mansion, home of the Fenton History Center in Jamestown NY.

“It’s great to see so many local residents learn something new about their hometown,” said Joni Blackman, executive director for the Fenton Historical Society. “This has turned into a festive day for Jamestown and the greater region. I have yet to hear a complaint, even when the weather is stormy,” said Blackman.

Area attractions aren’t the only ones who participate in Doors Open Jamestown. The event also encourages various restaurants, bars, and retail shops to work together to co-promote one another now and in the future.

“Doors Open Jamestown is a day to celebrate the wonderful amenities our community has here all year long,” said Frank Besse, co-owner of Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge. “I think Brazil complements these amenities well with our unique selection of great beer and wine in a relaxing and characterful setting,” said Besse.

Participating restaurants and retail locations are encouraged to offer unique menu items and special pricing for the day.

For more information on Doors Open Jamestown or for a list of participating venues, restaurants, and stores, please visit www.DoorsOpenJamestown.com or call check out the event’s Facebook page.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close are organizations that support downtown and neighborhood revitalization in Jamestown, NY, by promoting reinvestment, stakeholder engagement, and innovation.

According to Joni Blackman of the Fenton History Center, Doors Open is designed to give area residents a look into our local attractions, with free admission for the day to demonstrate the many tremendous tourism opportunities right here in our own backyard.

More from Joni Blackman, along with Justin Hanft (Jamestown Chamber) and Lynn Warner (Reg Lenna Center for the Arts) is available in the above interview.

Locations participating this year are:  Audubon Center and Sanctuary, Busti Historical Society and Grist Mill, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, Fenton History Center, Gateway Train Station, Infinity Performing Arts, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Lucille Ball Little Theatre, Lucille M. Wright Air Museum, Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy, Prendergast Library, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Robert H. Jackson Center, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute for Natural History.

Many of the participating venues will offer specials in their gift shops or prize drawings, and local businesses and restaurants will offer Doors Open specials as well.

The event is  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and Jamestown Up Close.