The 2026 First Friday season is winding down in Westfield, but there’s one more on tap! We urge you to visit Westfield this coming Friday, September 4, for another great event that features local businesses, live entertainment, and much more.

First Friday is a long-running event designed to bring community together with business for a monthly celebration that includes dining, shopping, music, and fun for the entire family. The CHQ Chamber is proud to present First Friday with sponsorship from AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, the Village of Westfield, Westfield Ag & Turf, and Westfield Makerspace.

From 5-8pm on Friday, September 4, Main Street in Westfield will be closed to traffic to allow pedestrians to move safely from one business to another and to see all the vendors and food trucks participating. Chamber member season pass holders are 21 Brix Winery, 3 C’s Catering, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Betts Insurance, Blue June Blooms, Country Charm Boutique, Dave Warren Powersports, Franklin’s Honey & Apples, Full Strength Coffee Company, Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing, Mumpsimus Books, Peaceful Designs Pottery & Specialty Gifts, Sanfilippo Solutions Inc., Surroundings Art Gallery & Framing, Suzanne’s at Overton, Weed Ross, and Westfield Ag & Turf. Non-member season pass-holders are Burr Road Butt Nuggets Farm and Hatchery, Fit N Yum, Fudge & Stuff, Kristine’s Wynn-ing Nails, Stockings by Missy, Tastefully Simple, The Puzzle Connection, The Tap Room, Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Westfield Stray Cat Rescue/Thrifty Kitty, Westfield VFW Auxiliary, and Westfield Women’s Organization.

CHQ Chamber Presents Official Introductions

For the second year in a row the CHQ Chamber is proud to present Official Introductions to be held Thursday, September 10 at the Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution. This special event is designed to facilitate personal connections between local businesspeople and their elected representatives from many levels of government, from village to town to county and state.

Municipal, town, county, state and federal elected officials have been invited to attend. Confirmed representatives at this time include State Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, and County Executive PJ Wendel. Also confirmed are representatives from the Towns of Clymer and Pomfret, the City of Dunkirk, and the Villages of Falconer and Lakewood. Several county legislators and additional municipal representatives are expected to attend as well.

This is a tremendous opportunity for local businesspeople to have direct conversations with our elected representatives in person. Official Introductions is a networking event like no other. It allows for personal dialogue in an informal gathering. The CHQ Chamber believes conversation is at the heart of meaningful relationships, and this event is a direct outreach of our mission to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. CHQ Chamber staff will help facilitate introductions as needed during this gathering.

This year’s Official Introductions will be held at the historic Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution from 5-7pm, Thursday, September 10. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The cost is $35 for members or $40 for non-members. Advanced registration is required and replies are requested by September 4. Registration is open now through the CHQ Chamber’s online event calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Elected officials that wish to attend are asked to contact Staunzie Grady at sgrady@chqchamber.org.

Many thanks to our sponsors: AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Athenaeum Hotel, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Glenora Radio Network, National Grid, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and State University of New York at Fredonia.

3rd on Third is September 17

Join us in downtown Jamestown for the last 3rd on Third this season. From 5-8pm Thursday, September 17, you can stroll the street, enjoy live music and entertainment, discover local makers, and experience everything that makes downtown Jamestown unique. This event highlights the incredible variety of arts, culture, and talent found throughout the region.

3rd on Third is sponsored by Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, The Gebbie Foundation, and Sukanya Burman Dance.

The CHQ Chamber will honor a diverse group of award recipients during its annual Business Awards Banquet on October 8th. This event is designed to recognize local businesses and organizations for their outstanding efforts year-round, and meets our mission to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County.

The Business of the Year Award will be presented to DFT Communications in Fredonia. Designed to recognize a business that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in employee growth, product development or exemplary service, DFT Communications was nominated by its own Director of Customer Experience, Scott Wise. He noted, “Providing quality residential service has always been important to DFT, but over the years we have also sought to establish ourselves not just as a business provider, but a business partner. We are proud of our reputation of being locally owned and family operated.” DFT is completing an upgrade to its fiber-optic network, and this fall will implement a brand evolution campaign called “Broadband Evolved.”

The Business Champion Award is intended to recognize an organization that has contributed most to the economic development, quality of life and stability of Chautauqua County. Chautauqua Lake Dental in Mayville will be honored as Business Champion of the Year. Brian Pender nominated his wife, Dr. Erin Pender, for the award noting she “exemplifies what it means to be a true business champion. She has successfully grown a thriving local business, created meaningful employment opportunities, expanded access to quality healthcare, and invested in development of the next generation of dental professionals. Her leadership has improved the quality of life for thousands of residents across Chautauqua County.”

The award for Emerging Business of the Year recognizes a newer or growing business that has demonstrated vision and/or filled a need in Chautauqua County. Westfield Makerspace, owned by Kimberly MacKay, offers a place for trying new tools, crafts, and skills as well as space for local vendors to sample a sales market. The business which launched last year was nominated by Erica Caccamise who noted, “Kim is passionate about investing in the community and helping others succeed.”

Hospitality Business of the Year awardee 3 Lakes Café in Cassadaga was nominated by Jessie Andersen, who noted, “Their coffee is amazing, their food is great, and they offer options for gluten and dairy free individuals, but most of all it’s their atmosphere and personality that make it great. Abi and Jake have created more than just a café; they have created a space for community to gather.”

Sanfilippo Solutions, Inc. of Falconer, which will receive Service Business of the Year, was nominated by owner Joe Sanfilippo, who credited his employees for their success saying, “they go over and above to help their neighbors and friends in the community with a smile.”

Wells Enterprises of Dunkirk will receive the Producer of the Year Award. Nominated by Jessica Dunten, she said, “Wells has undergone a multi-million-dollar strategic transformation, demonstrating the company’s commitment to employees while reconstructing a world-class facility that enables significant business growth through one of the largest single private investments in Chautauqua County history.”

The Not-for-Profit of the Year Award will go to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. Celebrating 40 years of service this year, the mission of NCCF is to focus on strategic and responsive grant making, encouraging local philanthropy and building permanent endowments for the future, and actively serving as a community leader and partner for the benefit and enrichment of the community.

CHQ Chamber President and CEO Daniel Heitzenrater noted, “These awards represent the CHQ Chamber’s ongoing commitment to champion local businesses countywide. From the smallest storefront to the largest manufacturing plants, we are proud to honor the people and organizations that make Chautauqua County a great place to do business.”

In addition, multiple businesses will be recognized for milestone service years.

The CHQ Chamber Annual Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, October 8 at 6pm at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia with a buffet dinner. Major sponsors for the event are AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Brooks-TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Glenora Radio Group, Lake Shore Bank, and the State University of New York at Fredonia. Registration is open now through the Chamber’s web calendar.