The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce held its first ever StrOlean August 2017. This new event was defined as an event to be held in downtown Olean; event goers were able to saunter, amble, wander, walk North Union Street; and able to enjoy food, music, fine arts, classic cars and fun for all ages.
The first StrOlean was a huge success with more than 70 organizations uptown selling or organizing an event. The Chamber’s Events Committee recently met and will host three StrOleans in 2021 all on Friday, June 4; August 13 and October 1.
“These dates are similar as to what we have done in the past. We try our best to complement, rather than compete with, other events and functions happening in the region,” stated Erica Dreher, Members Services Manager. “With Gus Macker moving to June, it made sense to put that month’s StrOlean on that Friday of Macker. The Chamber office doesn’t have anything in August, so we placed the second StrOlean there. And it’s been hit or miss with the autumn weather in October, so we moved this to the first weekend in October,” added Mrs. Dreher.
StrOlean is also deemed an event to improve the quality of life in the greater Olean area, to showcase member businesses, and to encourage residents to patronize the many establishments in the greater Olean area.
“During this challenging time, GOACC is committed to the well-being of our employees, attendees and vendors. We are dedicated to supporting the local communities in which our events are held,” added Meme K. Yanetsko, GOACC COO. GOACC is working hard to plan these events while carefully following guidelines provided by health officials. GOACC will also be instituting several changes and additional measures to all of our events. Please be patient with the Chamber as we all navigate through this constantly changing environment.
GOACC is encouraging businesses, non-profits and school groups to start now and plan to participate in one or all StrOlean. For example, an organization or school group could host a 5K Run / Walk during the any edition. There are several ways for one to participate at StrOlean, which can be fundraisers too!
POPUP MARKET: If your business is a brick and mortar store, GOACC would like for you to host an event outside your store, host sales/info table inside/outside your store, or if you are a restaurant, we would like you to vend outside your store. As an existing storefront, there will be no fee to participate. For those wishing to vend on North Union/State Streets, the Pop Up Market will include arts & crafts, artisans, catalog/home party, farm market stands, artwork, jewelry and more!
EVENT ORGANIZER: Is your organization looking for a fundraiser event? GOACC is also encouraging organizations to come on down and create an event that would benefit their organization. StrOlean would love to have organizations host events during the day such as: a planned Walk, Story Time, a tasting station, a sport demonstrations, 5K/1K Fun Run, outside fitness class, strolling chorus, children’s activities, and a bunch other ideas. There would be no charge to run the event.
Some past StrOlean events included tire flipping competition, an outside yoga class, story time, roller derby with a track for bouts at the Olean Center Mall parking lot, a make and take craft class, a car show, Battle of the Lips, a planned walk, and a witty scavenger hunt.
FOOD SPOT: GOACC is encouraging food vendors to come and serve up some food. There is an application for those businesses wishing to open a Food spot during the StrOlean Fest. For more information or registration forms, please call GOACC at 716-372-4433 or email.