AMANDA DEDIE
Assistant News Editor
Enactus and the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County have partnered to hold the second annual D’Vine Experience. The student group, which uses entrepreneurial skills to teach and aid the community, and the non profit organization have made sure this event will be entertaining for children and adults alike.
“We partnered with United Way last year because they share our values,” said Dr. Susan McNamara, an assistant professor of management and adviser to Enactus. “One of their challenges was, how do they increase their brand awareness? How do we increase the awareness of the beauty of northern Chautauqua County along the lake?”
Enactus became a part of the D’Vine Experience through the Strategic Management class of Dr. Susan McNamara, an assistant professor of management. Consisting of two parts, the event is family friendly including hayrides, parades, an art show and music.
The first part is a bicycle rally, held from 9 a.m. until noon, which has two routes: the “Slow Roll,” which is about five miles and is a scenic ride with views of three local wineries, and the “Enthusiast Route,” which is almost 28 miles and goes along the northern Chautauqua County countryside.
Children can join the rally, decorate their bicycles and parade them in front of the judges.
The second event, called Taste of Chautauqua, features hayrides, live music, wine tastings and a food tasting competition. It will be held from noon to 3 p.m.
Fredonia musicians will be in attendance, providing singing and bands, and there will be an art show as well. The new feature this year is the “taste of Chautauqua” portion. There will be restaurants from Westfield and other places. A $1 ticket buys a taste from a local place and a vote for who the best sweet and who the best savory flavor is.
The restaurants participating are The Parkview, The Kelly Hotel, Jack’s Barcelona Drive-In, The Nickel Plate Depot, Cakes by Brandy, Bark Grill, ZeBro’s Beach Bar, and Meeder’s Restaurant.
Admission for the bicycle rally will be $30 for ages 15 and older, while children under 15 will be free with an adult. With the entry fee, one will receive a free t-shirt and five food tickets. Tickets will be sold for Taste of Chautauqua for $1.00 each with the option of a wine tasting pass for $10.00. Attendance for the D’Vine Experience is free.
“United Way does a lot for the community, and we are very focused on northern Chautauqua County and everything we have here,” said Michael McMasters, development and operations coordinator of UWNCC. “Everything we do is focused on building the community and making sure that northern Chautauqua County can improve and continue to be improved, so that people here can live better lives.”
UWNCC is a not-for-profit organization and fundraiser that supports other local not-for-profits. UWNCC currently supports 16 different area agencies that run 32 different programs in northern Chautauqua County.
Though this is only the second year the event has been in play, it thus far has encompassed a number of crowds, from the college-aged crowds, to kids and parents, the athletes and those that are just looking to have a fun time.
“Here’s an opportunity on a Saturday to come out at noon. If you’re over 21, you can come to see some of the wineries. Come back to the grape center and you can listen to some music, you can taste all these really good foods﹘the best pie place in all of Chautauqua County is going be there﹘you can have lunch, you can do art,” said McNamara. “It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in Chautauqua County,”
The event will be held on Sept. 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m at the Lake Erie Grape Discovery Center in Westfield.