Taste of Lewiston returns next Sunday, bigger and better than ever

Lewiston Arts Council readies for one heck of a Taste

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 18, 2005

It’s back with a new location, expanded hours, more offerings and entertainment, and it promises to be better than ever.

The 10th edition of the Taste of Lewiston, set for Sunday, June 26, from noon to 9 p.m. on the Center Street strip, returns to the area following a one-year hiatus, and it brings an expanded presence in the form of increased participants and a greater variety of offerings than ever before.

Simply put, it brings Lewiston’s “Taste,” which was canceled last year due to organizational problems back in its rightful spotlight as one of the region’s premier events. Its new look also brings this returning celebration of food festival up to a level equal in diversity and appeal that one may find in the larger Taste of Buffalo, but in a much more manageable and enjoyable setting for residents and visitors alike.

‘Better Than Ever’

“We’re back and better than ever,” exclaimed Irene Rykaszewski, executive director of the Lewiston Council on the Arts, organizers of the Taste.

Past visitors to this culinary delight may recall the earlier Tastes that, while all very enjoyable, were also limited in size due to the confines of Academy Park in the Village of Lewiston. No longer, Rykaszewski announced. “We have a totally new setup,” she said as she discussed its new location, which this year stretches along Center Street beginning at Fourth and continuing to Sixth Street and points beyond.

Sponsored this year by the Modern Corporation, Wegman’s, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Care Center, Certo Brothers, Pepsi and Ki-Po Motors, this year’s Taste will serve up the offerings of more than 40 restaurants and caterers.

And there’s literally something for everyone. How about all-day entertainment, cooking demonstrations, artist vendors, and ice carvings along the Center Street strip? This one has it and more -- all aimed at making this year’s event a true culinary ‘arts’ festival.

‘Niagara’s Bounty’

Celebrating its theme of “Niagara’s Bounty,” the 2005 Taste truly reflects all of the best that the area has to offer, commented the Art’s Council’s Eva Nicklas, who pointed out this year the Taste of Lewiston will also feature a number of wineries comprising the Niagara Wine Trail along the Escarpment, and also local farm produce and products in a setting called Niagara’s Bounty Farm Market. “The Taste of Lewiston is a great opportunity to promote agri-business and agri-tourism in Niagara County,” she said.

What’s that you say, local wineries? “Many residents may not realize that ‘our side’ is now home to five independent wineries, “ Nicklas pointed out.

Expected to be on hand for next Sunday’s Taste will be such local vintners as Eveningside Wineries of Cambria; Niagara Landing and Warm Lake Estates, both of Lockport; the Winery at Marjim Manor in Appleton; and Vincarra Vineyards at Becker Farms in Gasport.

“All five wineries will enjoy exclusive pouring rights in the Niagara Wine Trail Courtyard, (located adjacent to the Lewiston Visitor Center on Center Street) where you can sample the selections and take home a bottle of the ones you love,” Nicklas said. “Don’t miss this chance to try them all in one convenient place.”

For those of us into the suds, the Certo Brothers Beer Garden will also be flowing in the Courtyard with many of your favorites.

Farm Market

Comprising the Niagara Bounty Farm Market will be such local producers as the aforementioned Becker Farms, Murphy Orchards, Sanger Farms, Wolf Maple Products, Modern Corporation’s H2Gro hydroponics tomato growers, Hens Honey and the Cornell Co-operative Extension.

What about the food vendors? “We have more restaurants than ever this year,” remarked Rykaszewski. And talk about variety.

Vendors expected at this year’s Taste include: Abbott’s Frozen Custard; Apple Granny’s; Bandanna’s Bar and Grill; Brennan’s Irish Pub; the Brick Yard Restaurant; Captain Mike’s Seafood; Carmelo’s Coat of Arms; Charlie’s Sugar Waffles; Clark’s Burger House; the Clarkson House; Destino’s Pizzeria; DiCamillo Baking Co.; Fortuna’s; JPF Enterprises; and the Kaz Bar Coffeehouse.

But wait, that’s not all. There’s also the Main Street Gas and Grill; Manga Cakes Bakery; rides by Midway Rides of Utica; Mrs. P’s Kettlehorn; Mrs. Ribs; Niko’s Big Fat Greek Restaurant; Pigasus Roasters; Quote & Quill; Sahara Oasis; Schimschack’s; the Silo Restaurant; the Steelhead Irish Pub; the Timber Lodge; Tin Pan Alley; Villa Fortunata’s; the Village Bake Shoppe; Water Street Landing; Wegmans; and the Youngstown Village Diner.

Entertainment Galore

And how about some sights and sounds. Oh, this year’s Taste promises to include that and more. Remember, this isn’t going to be your typical food festival. Lewiston Arts Council organizers are pulling out all the steps to make this year’s one of the best ever. Just check out these offerings:

• Noon -- the South Hills Jr. Orchestra at the Frontier House.
• 1 to 5 p.m. -- Lee Ron Zydeco and the Hot Tamales at the Hennipen Park gazebo.
• 1 p.m. -- Performances of the Lewiston Porter Cheerleaders at the Frontier House.
• 1:30 p.m. -- Hens Honey in the demo pavilion.
• 1:30 p.m. -- Demonstrations by Ilya’s Belly Dance Studio at the Frontier House.
• 2 to 5 p.m. -- Squeeze Box Johnny, the Roving Minstrel at the Hennipen Park Gazebo.
• 2 to 5 p.m. -- A performance by Rich DeCorse, sponsored by the DiCamillo Bakery, in the DiCamillo’s Courtyard on Center Street.
• 2 p.m. -- Cake decorating by Bridgitte Schroeder, Village Bake Shoppe, in the demo pavilion.
• 2 p.m. -- A performance by the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers at the Frontier House.
• 2:30 p.m. -- Clarkson House chef John French at the demo pavilion.
• 2:30 p.m. -- Demonstrations by Ilya’s Belly Dance Studio at the Frontier House.
• 3 p.m. -- Ice carving by John Burden at the demo pavilion.
• 3 p.m. -- A performance by the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers at the Frontier House.
• 3:30 p.m. -- Timber Lodge chef Trey Vandershaff at the demo pavilion.
• 3:30 p.m. -- Demonstrations by Ilya’s Belly Dance Studio at the Frontier House.
• 4 p.m. -- A performance by the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers at the Frontier House.
• 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- A concert featuring the 12/8 Path Band at the Frontier House.
• 4:30 p.m. -- Carmelo’s Coat of Arms chef Carmelo Raimondi at the demo pavilion.
• 5 to 9 p.m. -- Babik and Gypsy Jazz at the Hennipen Park Gazebo.
• 5 p.m. -- Ice carving by John Matwijkow at the demo pavilion.

Check It Out

And that’s still not all. Throughout the Taste visitors will opportunity to check out food, dessert and beverage judging contests; a book corner; craft exhibits -- there’s even going to be vintage carrousel rides for the little ones.

As one can see The Lewiston Arts Council is pulling out all the stops to make this year’s returning Taste of Lewiston truly one of the best ever. This one definitely promises to rank as one of the best of its kind in Western New York and will certainly rival -- if not surpass the Taste of Buffalo, July 9-10 along Main Street in downtown Buffalo.

By all means check this one out. Lewiston never “taste” so good!

Pre-sale tickets, covering all Taste offerings, including beer and wine, bottled wines, and carrousel rides are now on sale at the following Lewiston locations: Dimino’s Lewiston Tops, 906 Center St.; the Village of Lewiston municipal offices, Red Brick Municipal Hall, 145 North Fourth St.; the Lewiston Welcome Center, 476 Center St.; the Village Bake Shoppe, 419 Center St.; the Kaz Bar Coffee House, 463 Center St.; HSBC USA, Lewiston branch, 721 Center St.; and Key Bank, Lewiston branch, 493 Center St.

For further details, contact the Lewiston Council on the Arts at 754-0166, or online at www.artcouncil.org.