Conesus Lake Fireworks For Charity

Conesus Fest: From Big Lake Party to Community Charity

For many of us, the Annual Ring of Fire on Conesus Lake, every 3rd of July is time to migrate to the lake, find your special spot, party with friends and enjoy the fireworks.  For some Pebble Beach residents, their friends and family, Conesus Fest has evolved from a just big party, mostly of Buffalo-based contingency, back in the 80's, to an exclusive charity event that few locals know much about even today.  

If you happen to be boating on Conesus Lake in the days leading up to the Annual Ring of Fire, the party set-up is hard to miss.  Conesus Fest takes place near the very north end of Pebble Beach on the west side of Conesus Lake, close to Vitale Park and the Conesus Lake outlet.  From the water you can see the huge party tent set-up for the gala.  As you make your way closer to the property by boat, you'll also see an additional 4-5 sections of docks set-up just for the fireworks display.

The event organizers, Dave Pietrowski, Charles Smith, along with the late Bud West from Livonia, got together many years back, when the Conesus Lake Association discontinued their funded and organized fireworks display on the lake.  The organizers created their own fund for fireworks and that is how Conesus Fest for Charity was formed.  Each year anyone can go to the Conesus Fest website and donate to the incredible fireworks display put on by this organization. Local friends and family have made this so big, that the Conesus Fest for Charity organization has the ability to contribute to other charities from the fund, such as the Warrior Salute Program and the Wolf Fund.

The Buffalo connection to Conesus Fest is a big one.  Back in 1994, Conesus Fest for charity helped re-launch the World's Largest disco in Buffalo.  This super cool party for charity takes place every year on Thanksgiving weekend at the Buffalo Convention Center.  Attendess come to event in their best 70's attire, to dance and party with the stars of the era, such as Barry Williams, Howard Hesseman, Lisa Welchel, Deney Terrio, Henry Winkler, Willie Aames and more.  The World's Largest disco has raised over $6,000,000.00 for charity to date.