First-ever Zoar Valley Fest is May 12

The Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the a new event, the Zoar Valley Fest, will be held on Saturday, May 12 in Creekside Park, along Cattaraugus Creek in Gowanda.

Prior to the Fest, on Friday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m., the 13th Annual Crouse 5K Run will take place at American Legion Post #409 in Gowanda. To register for the race visit www.buffalorunners.com and click on races 2012 calendar.

On Saturday, exhibitors and vendors, and musical entertainment featuring Paul Zittel & Pure Country, will welcome visitors to Creekside Park. There will also be fly-fishing demonstrations, and rafting and kayaking excursions (please pre-register through either http://www.cattraftingadventures.com/id1.html or http://www.zoarvalleyrafting.com), on the Cattaraugus Creek, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Other events include guided hikes into Zoar Valley Multiple-Use Area (please pre-register); Horse and carriage rides to the gorge (please pre-register through http://mistyridgecarriage.com/index.html); World Kayak Throwdown on Cattaraugus Creek demonstrating competitive kayak events; and a 3 p.m. Zombie Walk from the park to the Gowanda Fire Hall on Aldrich Street, where, from 4 to 8 p.m. Blood Money Band will play.

The World Premiere of the film “Empire,” featuring sports on NYS Whitewaters, will be shown at the historic Hollywood Theatre at 6:30 p.m.; and the Sean Patrick McGraw concert at Gowanda Fire Hall will begin at 8 p.m.

Camping is available Friday to Sunday at the Gowanda Volunteer Firemen’s Grounds, Sandhill Road, Gowanda. To reserve a spot, call 716-532-2834 or e-mail chamber@gowandanychamber.org

For more information, call the Chamber Office at 532-2834 or visit gowandanychamber.org