Changes for GardenFest

by Emily Dulanski
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 20, 2009

The 2009 Lewiston GardenFest is next weekend.

Whether it is out of a love of nature or an aspiration for gardening, thousands flock to the annual Lewiston GardenFest. Sponsored by The Lewiston Garden Club and the Village and Town of Lewiston, it will be held on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both days.

Celebrating its fourth year, this event offers a variety of activities relating to this popular pastime. Newly anticipated for this year is the grand opening of the Bi-national Peace Garden. Located in the Historic Lewiston Courtyard behind the Little Yellow Chocolate House on Center Street, it includes a trellis donated by Claudia Marasco.

Celenza Florist’s 10-foot floral rug in the shape of a peace dove is a central focus of Center Street, which will have a section closed for the event. This floral sculpture indicates the location of the Bi-national Peace Garden and echoes its theme.

“There are several communities in Europe that annually put a floral rug down,” says Jacquie Lodico, a member of the Lewiston GardenFest committee. “We’re starting small this year and looking to expand it each year.”

The newly designed Walking Garden on Center Street is another must-see. The Walking Garden is designed to be a streetscape reminiscent of those found in Portugal. A large, diverse selection of container gardens is hoped for to overflow Center Street with their beauty. In this way, the luscious Portuguese streetscape is accessible to Western New Yorkers without the travel expenditure.

A new addition is the container garden display. This debuting contest is open for participation from individuals and garden clubs alike. A People’s Choice Award of a $50 gift certificate to a local nursery will also be presented to a container garden participant.

“(Participants) can plant their containers in any way they choose,” says Barb Carter, member of the Lewiston GardenFest committee, “and we’re looking for some unusual plantings, as well.”

Adding to the natural beauty of the gardens, GardenFest also features vendor booths from more than 40 local nurseries, garden artists, landscapers and local businesses. These vendors and tents will be placed in the street as another reminder of a Portuguese streetscape. There is also a basket auction as well as a new food tent that contains booths from four food vendors.

Another way to help fuel the gardening spirit with the Lewiston GardenFest would be to hear the featured speakers Jeff Thompson and Sally Cunningham.

Thompson, owner of Landscape Design, will be presenting “Hardscape in Landscaping-Using Native Stones and Masonry.” He holds a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a vast background and interest in stonework and masonry. He has also won awards for his landscape architecture and been recognized for his displays at previous GardenFests. Thompson’s lecture will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Author and consultant Sally Cunningham will be presenting “Perennials.” Cunningham currently has a column on Fridays in a daily newspaper as well as a TV segment on WIVB-TV Channel 4 on Sunday mornings. She is the author of “Great Garden Companions,” and is currently working on a book about pest management for Cornell University. Cunningham’s lecture will be held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Niagara University’s Leary Theater and will be free to the public.

The fourth annual Lewiston GardenFest is designed with gardeners and nature-lovers of all ages in mind. The variety of activities and new additions continue to make GardenFest a landmark summer occasion for Western New York.

Open Garden Tour

The Open Garden Tour, which includes several gardens in the Village of Lewiston, will be open to the public free of charge during the Lewiston GardenFest.

Marked by geranium flags, the tour begins with Peter Simpson at 305 S. First St. Simpson’s gardens overlook the Niagara River, and include a grass walk, a secret garden and a patio garden.

Bill and Jeanine Mollosky’s garden, located at south Fourth and south Seventh streets, consists of a hidden woodland setting with an abundance of wildlife. In addition, Jeff and Pam Deming’s garden at 310 S. Seventh St., is an ongoing transformation from a bare lot.

Following Deming’s garden, Dotty Gara has a garden at 494 Ridge Road. Also, Joe and Barb DiCamillo have a perennial and flowering shrub garden overlooking the river around their home at 305 Oak St.

Finally, Ron and Marlene Craft at 105 N. Fourth St., will host Niagara County water colorist Lee Baldwin, who will be painting in their garden.