Power Authority gives $70,000 for Lewiston Jazz Festival

Story and photo by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 22, 2006

Gathered at Hennepin Park are (from left to right): Janice McCaw, chairman of the board of the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce; Lewiston Mayor Richard Soluri; Randy Crissman, regional manager of Western New York for NYPA; Tim Carey, president and CEO of NYPA; Lewiston Town Supervisor Fred Newlin; and Sandy Hays Mies, executive director of the LNRRCC.

The New York Power Authority presented a $70,000 check to the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, making the 2006 edition of the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival possible.

NYPA’s contribution of both money and staff resources has allowed Lewiston to play host to jazz lovers since 2001, when the event began on the grounds of the Power Authority in Lewiston. Since then, it has expanded to Center Street. Today the Power Authority serves as the primary sponsor for the annual Jazz Fest.

“It’s a tremendous team,” between the town, the village, the Lower River Region Chamber of Commerce and NYPA, said Cathy Blood, senior community relations representative for NYPA. “We’re very pleased to be the primary sponsor of the event.”

This year, the jazz festival will run from Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, and will include jazz in area restaurants, culinary samplings, a wine tasting, antique show and a classic car show.

Last year, the Jazz Festival attracted 32,000 visitors, with an estimated economic impact of $1 million to the community.