If you are going into Olean tonight for the fireworks display at Bradner Stadium or plan to check out the Summer Festival of Arts in Ellicottville this weekend, you may want to take the time to "walk the villages."

Both communities have joined up with the Walk the Villages program. Sponsored by Senator Catharine M. Young, R-Olean, and Dale Volker, R-Depew, the program is an initiative to get people walking to improve their health while exploring the history and commerce of their communities and neighboring areas, said Mark Moser of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. Wellsville, Angelica and Cuba are also involved with the program.

An informational book is available at local Chambers and participating merchants. The booklet includes information about the program and communities, including walking maps. A log at the end of the book allows people to record their progress. People can mail in their forms to Senator Young's office to get a certificate of completion.

Walkers can also register to win prizes from local business as they walk. The book also has prize coupons that can be stamped by participating businesses. People can drop off the coupon page after they collect stamps from any four businesses to be entered to win prizes. Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize, which is a $300 Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate that will be given away at the end of the event in October.

There is no cost to walk or enter to win prizes, Mr. Moser said.

The Greater Olean Area and Ellicottville Chambers both feature walks to historical sites and the many businesses found in the area. The Olean walk features sites in Olean, Allegany and Portville.

The program is beneficial to people and their communities, said Heather Snyder, administrative assistant at the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce.

"The Walk the Villages program will be beneficial to Olean because it gets individuals who may not stop at the small shops to come in and see all the niche businesses the area has to offer," Mr. Moser said.

"It gets people who aren't typically Ellicottville visitors into the village enjoying the shops and walking around the village," she said. "It brings a lot of people into the village."

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Walk the Villages Night on August 4 to celebrate the walking trails and businesses. Ellicottville will host its night July 30th.

For more information about the program, call the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 372-4433 or the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 699-5046.

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