Pictured left to right, Mayville Mayor Ken Shearer, County Executive George Borrello, Chautauqua Lake Pops Communications Director Mike Ferguson, and Mayville Trustee Ben Webb.
MAYVILLE – The former Bemus Bay Pops program will be returning as the new Chautauqua Lake Pops in Mayville.
For over 20 years, the Bemus Bay Pops program offered a summer concert series, programs, and special events for local residents and visitors alike. But the future of the Pops, as well as the floating stage they played upon, was unknown after it was announced in 2018 the venue would be leaving Bemus Point. That changed on Friday, April 12 when organizers announced the floating stage and the Pops would be relocated to Mayville.
“We are excited to bring this great program back to the lake,” explained Chautauqua Lake Pops Chairman and President Dan Dalpra. “Mayville has come forward with an opportunity and partnership to make this happen and we are excited to work with them on creating a revitalized destination. I hope everyone will help us secure the new Chautauqua Lake Pops program and donate to help keep the Pops afloat for years to come. This affordable program of bringing the arts to the people can only work with public and private community support.”
Joining Dalpra and others in making the announcement was Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello.
“I am excited to see the return of the Pops to Chautauqua Lake. Thank you to all of those who worked so diligently to make this a reality and I am happy that the county can play a part in it. The return of this popular program will further enhance the positive momentum we are seeing around Chautauqua Lake and throughout our county,” Borrello explained.
The effort to relocate the Pops received help from both the village of Mayville along with technical assistance and support from the county.
“I am so glad we could play a role in resurrecting the Floating Stage and the Pops venue in Mayville,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development/CEO of the CCIDA. “Once again, Chautauqua County, and especially Mayville, is capitalizing on its wonderful natural assets as we attract people to live, work, conduct business, and recreate here. Ken Shearer and the leadership team in Mayville, along with Dan Dalpra and his team, are to be commended for making this concept a reality.”
Mike Ferguson, Pops Communications Director, said, “We’d like to thank Mayor Shearer and the entire Village Board for their tireless efforts to make this happen. A lot of time, effort and discussion took place to make sure this was the right fit as we knew it would be.”
Organizers of the not-for-profit organization claim it’s been responsible for bringing thousands of hours of regional, national and world-wide entertainment to the shores of Chautauqua Lake on one of the world’s only Floating Stages. They say that economic impact studies have determined that the Pops has generated between $12 to 14 million annually for Chautauqua County in past summers and is poised to do so again.
The Chautauqua Lake Pops will open its season in Mayville on Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m. with the music of Absolute Journey.
For more information visit www.chautauqualakepops.com.
Let’s not pretend that the pops couldn’t have continued in Bemus. Dalpra wanted to sell it while at the same time continue to act as director and be paid an absurdly large amount each year it runs. The pops was never his to sell, and legally was the property of the entire town given to the town by Pepsi Co. He doesn’t care about the town, and doesn’t care about mayville. He cares about lining his pockets.