On Chautauqua Institution’s 141st birthday Tuesday, the Chautauqua Foundation hosted the Promise Celebration on Bestor Plaza. In a day of festivities culminating with Old First Night in the Amphitheater, the kid-friendly celebration incorporated music from the Chautauqua Community Band, food, sidewalk chalk contests and the crowd-pleasing massive Styrofoam letters spelling out “Promise.” The event served to raise awareness of the importance of philanthropy, particularly annual giving, to the Institution’s ability to carry out its mission. Contributions to the annual Chautauqua Fund represent more than 22 percent of the overall goal of the Promise Campaign — a major capital campaign built around the Chautauqua values of civility, inclusivity, sustainability, innovation and engagement.
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Brad Allenby dances with his wife Carolyn to music from the Chautauqua Community Band during the Promise Celebration in Bestor Plaza on August 4, 2015. They are visiting from Arizona and Carolyn plans to take a course on teaching community dance next week.
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Lucy Turfler, 8, signs her name to the Promise Sign during the Promise Celebration in Bestor Plaza on August 4, 2015.
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Liv Heid, 9, works on her entry titled "Wonders of Chautauqua" with Mia Turnbull for the sidewalk drawing contest during the Promise Celebration in Bestor Plaza on August 4, 2015.
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Ava Solak, 6, signs her name to the Promise Sign alongside her family during the Promise Celebration in Bestor Plaza on August 4, 2015.
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Brothers Leo Rapoport, 3, and Samuel Rapoport, 7, perform the song "We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes and sell cookies to raise money for the Chautauqua Fund during the Promise Celebration in Bestor Plaza on August 4, 2015. (Photos by Ruby Wallau)
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The Chautauquan Daily 
