Best of the Best;
Ellicottville Hosts International Bow Hunters
By Jim Gill (8/15/2008)

More than 2,000 bow hunters and their families from 50 states and over 20 countries will be arriving in Ellicottville for the 2008 World Championships being held at Holiday Valley August 20th to the 23rd. This prestigious event in 30-D archery offers more than $200,000 in cash for professional as well as amateur shooters.

The IBO was formed in 1984 to promote, encourage and foster the sport of bow hunting, with the exception of last year, the event was held at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia for seven years, mountain terrain provides the opportunity to lay out a course with a natural setting that is challenging as well as being safe for the many archers.

IBO President Ken Watkins pointed out the selection of Holiday Valley Mountain Resort in Ellicottville will bring the biggest title in archery and bowhunting back to New York State, one of five states with the largest bowhunting numbers. Pennsylvania is another one of the top 5 states; many residents from there are expected at the competition.

As Dennis Eshbaugh, President and General Manager of Holiday Valley mentioned “The beautiful hills and woods surrounding Holiday Valley provide the perfect setting for this prestigious event. The Resort setting and the Village of Ellicottville can provide the lodging, entertainment, food and beverage and all the extra touches that will make this year’s competition one to remember.”
Bringing the event to Ellicottville has been 3 years in the making with both the Chamber of Commerce and Holiday Valley lobbying for the event that is expected to produce a $4 million economic impact for the area. The IBO planned on announcing Ellicottville as the site for the 2009 and 2010 event; due to a scheduling conflict they decided to hold the event here this year as well. Including contestants, families, friends and spectators, the international event draws a total of 8,000 people to each annual event.

The event will open on August 20th with a Bowhunters Archery Festival, competitions on August 21 and 22 and the finals take place on Saturday August 23rd.For people interested in trying the range, Holiday Valley will be hosting the Holiday Valley Bowhunters Open, the event lets people who are not qualified to participate in the IBO championship to shoot on the same range as the world qualifiers.
For more information on the event call the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce @ 800-349-9099, more information on the IBO is available on their web site www.ibo.net.