IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME!
Bemus Point, New York Circa 1940s
Bemus Point, New York .. Light the Lakes
Everyone is familiar with the positive slogan .. if you build it, they will come. In the case of Bemus Point the community through the years became synonymous with entertainment. Music could be heard near the water whether it was in the 1940s with a raised stage on land, the 1960s at the popular Surf Club, the Village Casino ballroom or in most recent years when the Pops first appeared on the roof of the Italian Fisherman (IF) then subsequently moving to another stage nearby though this time .. on water! Diners could sit on the pressured-treated wood deck of the Italian Fisherman overlooking the floating stage and enjoy the music while having a wonderful dinner or dessert with friends and family while watching a beautiful sunset over Bemus bay. It doesn't get any better than this!
Everyone is familiar with the positive slogan .. if you build it, they will come. In the case of Bemus Point the community through the years became synonymous with entertainment. Music could be heard near the water whether it was in the 1940s with a raised stage on land, the 1960s at the popular Surf Club, the Village Casino ballroom or in most recent years when the Pops first appeared on the roof of the Italian Fisherman (IF) then subsequently moving to another stage nearby though this time .. on water! Diners could sit on the pressured-treated wood deck of the Italian Fisherman overlooking the floating stage and enjoy the music while having a wonderful dinner or dessert with friends and family while watching a beautiful sunset over Bemus bay. It doesn't get any better than this!
A stage that floats was built and they did come! Through the years it became a Bemus Point summer landmark. When you saw the floating stage in Bemus .. you knew another fun summer .. with music .. had officially arrived!
A tried and true formula .. vision + hard work = success.
Chautauqua Lake Pops 2019 in Mayville NY
The Pops evolved through the years which eventually included a name change from the Bemus Bay Pops to the Chautauqua Lake Pops. Pops attendees witnessed hundreds of beautiful sunsets in Bemus bay and hundreds of musical tribute groups stepping onto a stage that floated. One man's vision has and continues to give us memorable first-class musical entertainment for all to enjoy and to appreciate.
The Bemus Bay Pops location has changed though the 'spirit and the spice' of the Pops and all it brings to our region has never dimmed. The Pops' journey which began 35 years ago in Bemus Point started with an idea of what could be for everyone from across the Chautauqua Lake Region to enjoy and to treasure. Non-believers can and do become believers and supporters.
The Chautauqua Lake Pops concert series entertains residents and non-residents throughout the summer months. It has become a spectacular musical tradition which attracts folks from all ages providing quality family entertainment for years in Bemus Point and now in Mayville along the lake with the historic train depot as its backdrop.
The train depot seen in this drone photo set along Route 394 is on the present site of the Chautauqua Lake Pops known for its unique floating stage with its distinctive white tarp. The Pennsylvania Railroad Station built in 1925 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The steamboat with its trademark red paddlewheel is the beloved Chautauqua Belle. It operates out of Mayville running between Chautauqua Institution, Bemus Point, the turn-around docks in Jamestown and the vessel's homeport located near the Chautauqua Lake Pops. These iconic landmarks add to the ambience of a concert location that provides concert-goers with a view of another iconic landmark, the Miller Tower on the beautiful grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. It doesn't get any better than this!
The Chautauqua Lake Pops concert series entertains residents and non-residents throughout the summer months. It has become a spectacular musical tradition which attracts folks from all ages providing quality family entertainment for years in Bemus Point and now in Mayville along the lake with the historic train depot as its backdrop.
The train depot seen in this drone photo set along Route 394 is on the present site of the Chautauqua Lake Pops known for its unique floating stage with its distinctive white tarp. The Pennsylvania Railroad Station built in 1925 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The steamboat with its trademark red paddlewheel is the beloved Chautauqua Belle. It operates out of Mayville running between Chautauqua Institution, Bemus Point, the turn-around docks in Jamestown and the vessel's homeport located near the Chautauqua Lake Pops. These iconic landmarks add to the ambience of a concert location that provides concert-goers with a view of another iconic landmark, the Miller Tower on the beautiful grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. It doesn't get any better than this!
Chautauqua Lake Pops Labor Day 2019 Finale with Pops Announcer, Mike Ferguson
Please join us with your support of Bringing the Arts to the People
For information regarding sponsorship, ticket sales and special events
www.chautauqualakepops.com
As creator and writer of the Chautauqua Lake Pops Maestro Muse blog I am honored that Dan Dalpra, Pops Founder and CEO, asked me to bring this blog to the people. As a believer and supporter of the Pops program since its inception I now enjoy writing stories about the 20 years of the Pops, the 35 years of the Italian Fisherman in Bemus Point NY and the 2019 concert series in Mayville NY. The Pops brings to the Chautauqua Lake Region the magic of music through a man who had a vision in 1997 .. a vision that became reality through hard work and dedication.
Thank you, Dan for all you do for all of us!
In closing, a friend of mine who plays guitar for The Groove based in Erie PA gave me a quote prior to the band's appearance on the floating stage in Bemus June 25, 2016.
"We can't wait to float."
Be Safe. Support the Pops.
Thank You.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
