A plethora of happenings on tap in northern Niagara

Events of appeal to all ages and tastes

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 11, 2005

Summer is right around the corner -- finally -- and with it comes Western New York’s time to play and have fun.

In appropriate timing, the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce has announced a whole plethora -- quite literally -- of summer 2005 happenings throughout the Lewiston, Youngstown-Porter, Ransomville and Sanborn communities for residents as well as visitors to northern Niagara to attend and enjoy.

Like variety? You’ve come to the right place. For a look at the Lower Niagara River Region events calendar finds activities of appeal to all ages, tastes and backgrounds.

“We have a great area with many, many happenings,” said Sandy Hays-Mies of the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage residents and visitors alike to attend these and enjoy.”

Hays-Mies noted for their convenience, the Chamber has established an events hotline --754-4030 -- in operation 24/7 which provides literally all the details on the multitude of happenings this summer. “It’s quite easy to use,” she said. “Readers can call and listen to messages on events which interest them.”

Events, Events, Events

From Artpark’s Tuesdays happenings now underway and continuing through the Town of Porter Cabbage Festival, there are over 50 events coming up in our area from now through late October. And talk about variety:

• Spirits of the Seaway Trail Historical Walking Tours, 2 p.m., Saturdays through Sept. 24 in the Village of Lewiston.
• St. John’s Episcopal Church annual Strawberry Festival in Youngstown, June 18-19.
• Blue Mondays, evenings at the Hennepin Park gazebo now through Aug. 29.
• Artpark Tuesdays in the Park concert series, evenings, now through Aug. 30 at Artpark.
• Jazz Wednesdays at Academy Park, evenings July 6 through Aug. 31 at Academy Park in the Village of Lewiston.
• Cataract Cruisers at Academy Park, Wednesday evenings, continuing through Sept. 28.
• Ransomville concerts, Thursdays, July 7 through Aug. 25 at the Ransomville Library gazebo, Ransomville.
• Youngstown concerts at Falkner Park, Fridays, continuing through Aug. 26.
• The WNED Great Guitar headliner concert, June 17 at Artpark beginning at 8 p.m.
• The Taste of Lewiston, presented by the Lewiston Council on the Arts, June 26, from noon to 9 p.m. on Center Street. (Look for a preview in next week’s paper)

Big Band Series at Artpark

• The Artpark Big Band series -- the Frank Sinatra Songbook, June 27 at Artpark, with two shows.
• Artpark presents the U.S. Army Field band and chorus, June 29 at Artpark beginning at 8 p.m.
• The French and Indian War encampment at Old Fort Niagara, July 2-4.
• A Little Bit of Artfest at Old Sanborn Days, July 9-10 at the Sanborn Fire hall.
• The BPO returns to Artpark, July 9 through 31.
• The Summer of ‘69: A Rock Reunion, July 10 at Academy Park beginning at 1 p.m.
• The first annual Mediterranean Festival, July 15-17 at the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road.
• The Artpark Big Band series -- the Glenn Miller Orchestra, July 18 at Artpark, with two shows.
• The Porter Cup Amateur Golf Tournament, July 19-23 at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Two Regattas, One Week

•The Youngstown Yacht Club Level Regatta, July 23-24, and the YYC Lake Yacht Racing Association Regatta, July 25-31, both in Lake Ontario off the shore of Old Fort Niagara State Park.

•The Sanborn-Lewiston Farm Museum Festival, sponsored by the Sanborn area Historical Society, July 30 on the Museum grounds, 2660 Saunders Settlement Road.

•The War of 1812 Encampment at Old Fort Niagara, July 30-31.

•The Niagara Falls Chapter of the Harley Owners Group Motorcycle Run and Party, 2 p.m., Aug. 7 on Main Street in Youngstown.

•The Jack Beatty Memorial Hospice Regatta, Aug. 12-13, staring from the Youngstown Yacht Club.

Lewiston Arts Fest

•The 39th annual Lewiston Fine Arts Festival, presented by the Lewiston Council on the Arts, Aug. 13-14 along Center Street in Lewiston.

•The Western New York Chalk walk Competition, presented by the Arts Council, Aug. 13 on South Fifth and Center Street.

•The Artpark Big Band series -- greatest hits with the Pyramid Swing Band, Aug. 15 at Artpark, with two shows.

•Artpark presents World Goes ‘Round: The Music of Kander and Ebb, Aug. 18-24 at Artpark.

•The fall Lake Ontario Charters Fishing Derby on Lake Ontario. For details, call 888-REEL-2-IN or on-line at www.loc.org.

•Old Fort Niagara’s War of 1812, Aug. 20-21 at the Fort.

•The Historic Lewiston Jazz festival, presented by the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber with lead sponsorship by the New York Power Authority, Aug. 26-28, along Center Street. Look for a preview this summer in this paper.

•The Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company Field Days, Sept. 3-5 at Veterans Park and on Main Street in Youngstown.

Kiwanis Peach Festival

•The Niagara County/Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival, Sept. 9-11 at Academy Park. Look for a preview this summer.

•The Fish Odyssey Derby, Sept. 17-25. For details, call 800-338-7890 or on-line at www.fishodyssey.net.

•The Lewiston Harvest Festival and Craft Show, Sept. 24-25. For details, call the Chamber’s events hotline at 754-4030.

•The New York Power Authority Wildlife Festival, Sept. 24-25 on the grounds of the Niagara Power Project, Lewiston Road.

October Happenings

•The Fruits of Labor Bazaar at Messiah Lutheran Church, Oct. 7. For details, call Joan Spira at 745-9924.

•The Historical Centennial Celebration of the Niagara Movement, presented by the Lewiston Council on the Arts, Oct. 8 at in the Performing Arts Center of Niagara Falls High School.

•The RRG Blues and BBQ fall festival, Oct. 9. For details, call Bill Rolland at 745-3462.

•The Town of Porter Cabbage Festival, Oct. 16, on the grounds of the Ransomville Fire hall, Route 93 in Ransomville. Look for a preview in the future issue.

As one can gather from this schedule of listings, the northern Niagara County region offers something for everyone over the warm weather months. It’s our time to shine, if you will. Mark your calendars and have fun.